Liepāja 2027 Community Programme Backs 12 Inspiring Projects Across the Land of (Un)Rest

The first round of the Foundation’s “Liepāja 2027” Community Programme has wrapped up, bringing support to twelve different projects.

Launched in collaboration with Foundation “Fonds Initium” and backed by the Ministry of Culture and the British Council Representation in Latvia, this initiative has awarded a total of €10,800.

At its heart, this Liepāja 2027 programme fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging residents to connect with their neighbourhoods, support one another, and take an active role in shaping their communities under the banner of “Neighbourliness”.

The Community strengthening and support programme sparks life into the hearts of Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga regions, bringing people together to create thriving, connected communities. The programme will involve 12 associations and project authors.

Using the principles of community art, participants throughout the whole land of (un)rest (Liepāja, South Kurzeme and Kuldīga regions) have explored creative and social tools to strengthen bonds, take care of their surroundings, and learn the art of collaboration. Monthly face-to-face training sessions and meetings have provided a platform for learning, discussion, and planning, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to turn their ideas into action, while also learning about potential opportunities for securing additional funding.

After an inspiring first phase, where organizations pitched their ideas, a jury selected the projects to receive financial backing.

• Among them, Ziemupīte’s project “Dziesmas tinu kamolā” (Singing Threads) received €1,000 to strengthen connections among Ziemupe local rural community residents, helping newcomers integrate while rekindling relationships with those who have moved away. Through shared events and conversations, the project aims to foster a spirit of cooperation, respect, and local pride.
• In Saka Parish, the Pāvilosta Cultural and Historical Environment Centre was awarded €800 for “Sakas upju stāsti” (Saka River Tales), a project dedicated to uniting the community through storytelling, clean-ups, and memory-sharing, laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration. This initiative aims to foster greater involvement of Saka parish residents in community-building processes by encouraging individuals from diverse societal groups to actively participate in activities and contribute ideas. Through these efforts, the project seeks to lay the foundation for sustained cooperation, elevate the recognition of Saka, and enhance the long-term well-being of its inhabitants.
• In Aizpute, the Aizpute Renaissance Society secured €900 for “Aizputes Vecpilsētas svētki” (Aizpute Old Town Festival), a new tradition designed to bring the town’s history to life through community celebrations. By sharing the narratives of local places, artifacts, and individuals, the project seeks to cultivate a deeper sense of belonging among residents while enhancing appreciation for the town’s rich historical heritage.
• Meanwhile, in Kuldīga, the Kuldīga Seniors’ School Association was awarded €800 for “Kopienas spēks – mūsu rītdiena” (Community Strength – Our Future), a series of story nights, workshops, and discussions aimed at connecting generations and fostering a shared local identity.
• Spring will bring music and history to the Southern Kurzeme Region with “Pavasara dziesmas Otaņķos” (Spring Songs in Otaņķi), an initiative by the association “Otanka” and supported with €800 in funding. This project will encourage active participation in community life, unveil the historical narrative in a contemporary format, promoting discussions and giving residents of Nīca and Otaņķi a voice through historical exhibitions curated by local youth.
• Meanwhile, the cultural development association Tapala Lapa will preserve the untold stories of Namdaru Street with its project “(ne)miers Namdaru ielā jeb neturi sveci zem pūra” (The (Un)rest at Namdaru Street or Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat), receiving €700 to document personal memories and create a collective narrative of change, identity, and belonging, thus solving the unique riddle of the Namdaru Street and what it makes to be a local here.

Thanks to British Council funding, six additional projects will come to life.

• The “Izkāp no centra” (Step Outside the Centre) initiative by Radi Vidi Pats Association has secured €1,000 to lay the foundation for a community culture festival in Liepāja’s neighbourhoods. The initiative seeks to spark the initial momentum for a community culture festival drawing inspiration from the European traditions of neighbourhood fairs, block parties, and community gatherings. It aspires to strengthen civic engagement and aims to motivate residents to actively collaborate in planning and volunteering while offering a platform for voices within the community that are typically less prominent.
• The youth-focused project “Jauniešu kopienas aktivizēšana un iesaiste Karostas pasākumu organizēšanā” (Activating and Involving Youth in Karosta’s Cultural Events), led by Baringtons K2, has also been awarded €1,000. The project seeks to inspire young people aged 15–22 to take an active role in Karosta’s cultural life. By tapping into their interests and providing opportunities for self-expression and personal growth, the initiative empowers youth to shape their own creative space. Through their involvement in the Youth Zone and events linked to the Lāčplēsis Garden Festival, participants will strengthen their sense of community, forging deeper connections not just in Karosta, but across Liepāja as well.
• Rita Rozentāle’s submitted project focuses on community gatherings in Jaunliepāja residential district of Liepāja with locals invited to share ideas and visions for their neighbourhood at “Radi savu Jaunliepāju!” (Make Your Own Jaunliepāja!); it was supported with €750. An “Ideas Chest” will collect community suggestions, paving the way for future initiatives.
• In the northern suburbs, a group of local history enthusiasts – Kristīne Dzelme, Anna Protčenko, and Ērika Korāte – have secured €1,200 for “Vēsturiskā Velnciema izpēte” (Historical Velnciems Research), a project that will bring neighbours together through guided walks and storytelling events.
• Creativity and collaboration will thrive in Jaunliepāja, where the Liepāja Residency and Culture Centre has received €990 for “Jaunliepājas radošais perons” (Creative Platform of Jaunliepāja), an initiative to spark the creation of a permanent cultural hub for artists and residents alike.
• Lastly, the association Zelta Rudens has been awarded €860 for “Paaudžu satikšanās” (The Meeting of Generations), a project that will connect people of all ages through music, fashion, and personal storytelling, fostering intergenerational dialogue and cultural participation.

The Liepāja 2027 Community Programme is implemented as part of the “Neighbourliness” initiative, with funding from the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with Foundation “Fonds Initium” and the British Council Representation in Latvia.

Released by

Foundation “Liepāja 2027 Foundation”
Head of Public Relations and Marketing Department
Zita Lazdāne
Phone: + 371 22 017 277
E-mail: zita.lazdane@liepaja2027.lv