The Liepāja 2027 Foundation is opening applications for an international youth training and mentoring programme for the 2025/2026 academic year, aimed at young people aged 14 to 24 from Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga.
The initiative offers far more than a course, enabling young people to learn more about cultural event creation, where ideas will be nurtured into reality with the support of training, hackathons, experienced mentors and financial backing from Liepāja 2027.
Participants will not only learn how cultural events are shaped, but will also gain the opportunity to design and implement their own projects. Along the way, they will broaden their networks at a European level through the Estonian Interreg project Youth Connect. The programme includes training sessions led by Estonian specialists, international cooperation projects, exchange visits and joint creative challenges with Tartu peers.
“The active engagement of young people in cultural life is vital for cultivating a sharp, empowered generation of future leaders across the Land of (un)rest. This programme opens a possibility for youth to shape their cultural landscape now. It delivers hands-on experience, nurtures essential skills, and broadens their professional networks through global collaboration. The passion, imagination, and boldness of young minds are the sparks that will ignite fresh and meaningful initiatives,” affirms Inta Šoriņa, Chair of the Board of Liepāja 2027.
At the close of the programme, young people will be invited to join the European Capital of Culture Youth Club – a platform to keep honing their skills, to continue shaping youth initiatives, and to stand as co-creators of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027.
Applications are open from September 4 to October 1 and can be submitted via the online form
The youth programme is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation with financial support from the City of Liepāja, South Kurzeme Municipality, Kuldīga Municipality, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
Justīne Rusakova
Liepāja 2027 Public Participation Project Manager
Phone: +371 26 668 571
E-mail: justine.rusakova@liepaja2027.lv
On 9 September 2025 at 14:00, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation opens its doors at Dārza Street 4/8 and welcomes all to the masterclass “Eco-design in Events” led by researcher Kitija Balcare, Ph.D. (c.), who will guide us through the art of designing with responsibility.
To enrich the programme of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027 with innovative, cross-sectoral, contemporary and outstanding cultural events, hence boosting the international cooperation, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation is launching an open international competition for the co-financing of cultural and artistic initiatives. The deadline for submissions is 10:00 a.m. (EEST/Latvian time) on 10 September 2025.
Kristaps Priede works in painting, sculpture, and environmental art, which includes Land Art and Site-specific Art, where artworks are created for a particular location. In addition, Kristaps also engages in performance and photography.