The community programme Neighbourliness (Kaimiņu būšana) project funding competition, organized by the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”, has concluded. A total of 28 applications were received, of which 24 projects were selected for funding, receiving a total of EUR 84,000. Each supported project will receive up to EUR 4,000 to implement community plans and foster cooperation among residents.
From February 1 to June 13, 2027, as well as from July 1 to 31, 2027, wide range initiatives will take place across Liepāja and the Kuldīga and South Kurzeme Municipalities, aimed at strengthening communities, promoting resident participation, and building cooperation. These initiatives will form part of the official programme for Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027.
“The value of these projects lies in the people who come together to bring their ideas to life, to make life in the neighborhood more engaging and active, and to make the community stronger. Some will organize cultural events, others will host creative workshops or community clean-ups, bringing together people of different generations and backgrounds. What’s important is that anyone can join these initiatives, meet their neighbors, share experiences, and shape the environment we live in together. Doing things together rather than just talking about community builds a sense of belonging and creates communities that last,” says Justīne Rusakova, Public Participation Project Manager at the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”.
The jury awarded a total of EUR 84,000 in funding to the following initiatives:
- Association “JaunLiepāja” received EUR 3,620 for the project In the Heart and in the Yard – Stories of Neighborhood Gardens (Pagalmā un sirdī – apkaimju dārzu stāsti). The project will promote the green and social values of Jaunliepāja by creating a map of gardens and yards, hosting guided walks, and organizing open-garden events.
- The Aizpute Renaissance Association received EUR 4,000 for the project Aizpute Skates. Own Board, Skills, and Community (Aizpute skeito. Savs dēlis, prasmes un kopiena). It will include five events at the Aizpute Skatepark – three skateboarding workshops by professionals, a board repair and maintenance workshop, and a closing Aizpute Skate Jam event.
- Association “Liepāja Lithuanian Cultural Society RŪTA” received EUR 3,456 for the project Together at One Table (Kopā pie viena galda). Four masterclasses focusing on traditional Lithuanian cuisine, table setting, and dining traditions will be organized.
- Association “Baringtons K2” received EUR 3,100 for the project An Eternal Milky Way Overhead (Virs galvas mūžīgs Piena ceļš). Residents of Karosta across different generations and social groups will be joined by a professional kite maker to create a giant Milky Way kite to be displayed in Lāčplēša Dārzs.
- Association “KOPĀ Liepājai” received EUR 2,700 for the project [kop.radis]. The courtyard at Atmodas bulvāris 8A will be landscaped to become a community space, while stories from the community seniors will be collected into a digital audio guide and QR story spots in Karosta.
- Association “House of Hope” received EUR 4,000 for the project Waves of Karosta (Karostas viļņi). The project will invite youth to creatively explore the identity of Karosta and strengthen their sense of belonging to the neighborhood.
- Association “LabiTeAizputē” received EUR 1,020 for the project Looking for the Ocean in Aizpute (Meklējot okeānu Aizputē). It will include a public, youth-organized cultural event featuring discussions on topics relevant to young people.
- Association “Labs laiks” received EUR 4,000 for the project You Can Still Be! – Neighbor to Neighbor (Tu vēl vari būt! – Kaimiņš kaimiņam). A three-day free initiative will bring together youth and seniors aged 70 and above from Ziemupe, Vērgale, and Liepāja.
- Association Vides aizsardzības sabiedriskā organizācija Kuršu kopiena received EUR 4,000 for the project Gathering of the Curonians (Kuršu saiets). The first Gathering of the Curonians will bring together at least 50 residents across generations to draft a Kurzeme Community Charter through discussions and practical activities.
- Association “Give and Get” received EUR 4,000 for the project The Time Stop (Laika pietura). The project will combine stories, photography, and live theatre from residents of Laidi, Kuldīga, Raņķi, Sermīte, and Snēpele.
- Association “Rucavas kultūrtelpas attīstības biedrība” received EUR 3,000 for the project The Dunika Community Story (Dunikas kopienas stāsts). The project includes a bog clean-up, a concert, stories about the nature of Dunika, and a community potluck.
- Association “AMALIENBURG” received EUR 4,000 for the project Library of Aizpute Interior Patterns (Aizputes interjeru rakstu bibliotēka). It will be focused around a four-day restoration workshop raising awareness about preserving Aizpute’s historical interiors.
- Association “Cita Abra” received EUR 3,890 for the project The Creative Circle of South Kurzeme (Dienvidkurzemes radošais loks). Four organizations in Cīrava, Tāši, Aizpute, and the Pāvilosta/Ziemupe area will organize masterclasses and collective clean-up events.
- Association “Blind Carbon Copy” received EUR 4,000 for the project The Community Table: Stories of Kuldīga (Kopienas galds: Kuldīgas stāsti). The project will foster encounters, sharing of stories, and intergenerational dialogue among residents of Kuldīga, particularly seniors and youth.
- SIA “Liepaja Music” received EUR 3,976 for the project Green Neighbors: Kuršu Iela Community Day (Zaļie kaimiņi: Kuršu ielas kopienas diena). The project will promote collaboration between neighborhood residents and local business owners through learning plant care and creating greener urban solutions.
- Association “Jā! DARĀM” received EUR 3,051 for the project One Team. One Community (Viena komanda. Viena kopiena). The project will strengthen community bonds in Kuldīga by engaging different generations in banner-making during FC Nikers matches.
- Association “ROŽOZOLI” received EUR 4,000 for the project Art Lives Next Door (Māksla dzīvo kaimiņos) to create documentary videos and photo portraits of creative individuals in Liepāja’s neighborhoods.
- Association “Mēs Bernātiem” received EUR 2,700 for the project (un)rest in Bernāti ((ne)miers Bernātos) to organize physical activity and well-being sessions at Bernāti Nature Park and along the seaside.
- Association “Ētera osta” received EUR 4,000 for the project Hit the Jazz! (Dod džezā!). Four broadcasts will be produced on Radio Liepāja, alongside a jazz night at the Culture House Wiktorija.
- Association “Kūrava” received EUR 4,000 for the project Unrest at Work, Rest in the Yard: Clean-ups in Kuldīga (Darba nemiers, sētas miers: talkas Kuldīgā) to revive the tradition of community clean-ups, tidying up courtyards, recreational areas, and heritage sites in Kuldīga.
- Association “ViuNI” received EUR 4,000 for the project Living Sauna Stories of Liepāja and Surroundings (Liepājas un tās apkārtnes dzīvie pirts stāsti) to promote sauna traditions and create a digital collection of stories and photographs.
- Association “Hello Yellow” received EUR 4,000 for the project The Cabbage Way (Kāposta ceļš) to create a community garden, grow cabbages together in the courtyard of the Aizpute Castle Tavern and cook a celebratory meal in autumn.
- Association “Libau Active” received EUR 2,840 for the project Guided Friendship Hikes for Seniors of Aizpute and Liepāja (Sadraudzības pārgājieni Aizputes un Liepājas senioriem ar gidu) to organize two guided hikes for seniors accompanied by a trainer and guide.
The evaluation committee for the community competition: Justīne Rusakova (foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”); Ieva Birbele (Kuldīga Municipality); Gunta Gruntiņa (South Kurzeme region); Maija Jankovska (Kurzeme NGO); Renāte Kleina (Liepāja).
The Neighbourliness programme was created to strengthen neighborhood communities, promote mutual cooperation among residents, and encourage active participation in shaping shared living spaces. It invites a re-evaluation of the importance of neighborly relations and creates opportunities for representatives of different generations, social groups, and organizations to meet, collaborate, and build stronger neighborhoods together.
The project “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” is implemented by the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”, the Liepāja City Municipality, and official partners – the South Kurzeme Municipality and the Kuldīga Municipality. Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture. The Liepāja 2027 program is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “Air Baltic Corporation”, partner in legal matters SIA “Sorainen ZAB”, land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, maritime mobility and international communication partner SIA “Stena Line”. Media partners – VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, SIA “Žurnāls Santa”, SIA “Tvnet grupa”, AS “Kurzemes Radio”.
Additional information:
Foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”
Head of Community Participation
Justīne Rusakova
E-mail: justine.rusakova@liepaja2027.lv
