Liepāja 2027 Youth Development Pilot Programme Officially Launched

This weekend marked the official launch of the Liepāja 2027 Youth Development Pilot Programme, an initiative by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, in collaboration with partner organisations. The programme is designed to actively engage young people in the cultural development of Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture 2027. Thirty motivated participants from Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga regions will be involved in shaping and implementing cultural projects and events as part of this pioneering initiative.

According to Maija Jankovska, Community Outreach Manager for Liepāja 2027, “Most of the young people joined the programme because they saw it as an incredible opportunity to build networks, enhance their current skills, and acquire new ones, all while gaining deeper insight into the cultural sector. We see this initiative as a key platform for professional growth, one that will nurture future leaders not only within the cultural sphere but in society in general.”

The programme kicked off with a full day of introductions, during which participants learned more about the vision of Liepāja 2027 and the concept of their own engagement in the process of the implementation. The group also met with mentors and key representatives from cultural organisations in Liepāja, Kuldīga, and Bernāti, whose ongoing partnerships will be crucial to the success of the programme.

Team-building activities dominated the morning, fostering communication, trust, and collaboration among participants. In the afternoon, they turned their focus to project planning, learning the ins and outs of transforming a concept into a real-world cultural initiative. Through group dynamics exercises, participants were given leadership roles and responsibilities that promoted teamwork and strategic thinking.

Saturday's efforts were spinning around the planning process for the opening event and culminated in its successful execution on Sunday, serving as a powerful introduction to the activities that will continue through August 2025.

Over the course of the pilot programme, young people will not only receive training from cultural experts and work with mentors but also gain hands-on experience in several of Liepāja’s cultural institutions. A highlight of the programme includes a study visit to Tartu, the European Capital of Culture 2024, where they will have the chance to exchange ideas and experiences with their peers in Estonia. At the conclusion of the programme, teams will have the opportunity to win a €1,000 cash prize to bring one of their cultural projects to life.

The programme was open to applicants aged 16 to 25, and 30 young people were selected through a competitive process based on motivation and potential.

The Liepāja 2027 Youth Development Pilot Programme is carried out in partnership with the associations Development Platform YOU+, “Izgaismo ideju” from South Kurzeme, and the active youth association “Sprādziens” from Kuldīga.

For further information, please contact Elīna Briljonoka, representative of Development Platform YOU+, via email at elina@youpluss.lv.

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