Kinds of youth involvement in the Kinds of youth involvement in the development of the local territorydevelopment of the local territory

Description of the situationDescription of the situationPromoting youth involvement in NGO Promoting youth involvement in NGO

sectorsector

Successful national and local self-Successful national and local self-governmental programmsgovernmental programms

Description of the situationDescription of the situation Speaking of the youth situation in the Latvian countryside Speaking of the youth situation in the Latvian countryside

today's realities, it is necessary to mention our country's today's realities, it is necessary to mention our country's historical background, which is also influenced by the historical background, which is also influenced by the current situation and determine options to improve methods current situation and determine options to improve methods of work.of work.

So, in short - Latvia as a country is new, its statehood So, in short - Latvia as a country is new, its statehood obtained only in year 1918th, so - it's not even centenary, obtained only in year 1918th, so - it's not even centenary, during the two world wars and the first period of during the two world wars and the first period of independence, the Soviet occupation and the restoration of independence, the Soviet occupation and the restoration of independence and accession to the European Union in year independence and accession to the European Union in year 2004th. In practice this means that since the peaceful 2004th. In practice this means that since the peaceful restoration of Latvian statehood no generation has grown up restoration of Latvian statehood no generation has grown up without radical political – economical changes. without radical political – economical changes.

This factor had a significant impact on the character of the This factor had a significant impact on the character of the nation as a whole, as well as the situation of youth - the nation as a whole, as well as the situation of youth - the attitudes, the world's perception and behavior.attitudes, the world's perception and behavior.

Description of the situationDescription of the situation Not less important in this context is to note the features of Not less important in this context is to note the features of

the ancient history of our nation - all Latvian culture has the ancient history of our nation - all Latvian culture has emerged out of countryside. emerged out of countryside. 

Our ancient traditional way of life is directly linked to rural Our ancient traditional way of life is directly linked to rural farmsteads, which are home to one family and related farmsteads, which are home to one family and related people, not the villages, settlements or towns, as it is even people, not the villages, settlements or towns, as it is even in the closest neighboring nations. Latvians have about 3 in the closest neighboring nations. Latvians have about 3 millions folksongs and folk traditions, which have been millions folksongs and folk traditions, which have been carried on from generation to generation orally through carried on from generation to generation orally through thousands of years history. thousands of years history.

They are teaching way of life in harmony with nature and to They are teaching way of life in harmony with nature and to find spiritual power inside of man to carry on through find spiritual power inside of man to carry on through difficult and hard times.  This circumstance determined difficult and hard times.  This circumstance determined some privacy and individualism, as well as the fact that the some privacy and individualism, as well as the fact that the Latvian countryside is seen not only as a social or Latvian countryside is seen not only as a social or economical factor - but it also has a cultural-historical and economical factor - but it also has a cultural-historical and even peculiar sacred significance.even peculiar sacred significance.

Description of the situationDescription of the situation Demographic situation in Latvia and, especially in rural areas, cruelly Demographic situation in Latvia and, especially in rural areas, cruelly

show that the population is falling each month. And proportion of show that the population is falling each month. And proportion of children and young people in our country are decreasing each month. children and young people in our country are decreasing each month.   

The last economical crisis has increased negative impact of The last economical crisis has increased negative impact of economical emigration significantly. There is a fact, more than 4,000 economical emigration significantly. There is a fact, more than 4,000 people of working age left Latvia for work in other EU countries in people of working age left Latvia for work in other EU countries in August 2011. Around 30% of them are under the age of 30 years, for August 2011. Around 30% of them are under the age of 30 years, for Latvian population of 2 million this is tragic enough.Latvian population of 2 million this is tragic enough.

About rural areas – for example, Gulbene region have a total 24,714 About rural areas – for example, Gulbene region have a total 24,714 residents, young people aged 13-25 years - 5094, which represents residents, young people aged 13-25 years - 5094, which represents 20.6% of the total population. In some parishes are only102-130 20.6% of the total population. In some parishes are only102-130 people from this age group. The situation is similar in other rural people from this age group. The situation is similar in other rural areas. areas. 

In addition it should be noted that the occupancy rate is very low. For In addition it should be noted that the occupancy rate is very low. For example, Jekabpils county, which I represent have territory of 90,441 example, Jekabpils county, which I represent have territory of 90,441 square kilometers with a population of 5707 people, so - one man to square kilometers with a population of 5707 people, so - one man to 15.84 square kilometers! 15.84 square kilometers! 

The situation is better in those counties that are geographically The situation is better in those counties that are geographically closer to major cities, because there is formed an extra-urban villages closer to major cities, because there is formed an extra-urban villages with a population whose economical, social and cultural needs are with a population whose economical, social and cultural needs are realised in the nearest city, and active local community are forming realised in the nearest city, and active local community are forming rarely.rarely.

Reasons for optimismReasons for optimism As a case for optimism I would have to include an interview with a As a case for optimism I would have to include an interview with a

young Latvian farmers family from remote rural area. young Latvian farmers family from remote rural area.  Husband Raitis is 25 years old, and he has two to agriculture and Husband Raitis is 25 years old, and he has two to agriculture and

economy-related higher educations, this wife Santa - 23 years old, economy-related higher educations, this wife Santa - 23 years old, she graduated from art college. They are raising three-year she graduated from art college. They are raising three-year daughter. To the question - why choose to live in the daughter. To the question - why choose to live in the countryside? Santa says: "In the country you are free - you can countryside? Santa says: "In the country you are free - you can plan your own time, work and life. To take responsibility for own plan your own time, work and life. To take responsibility for own mistakes and nobody to accuse. Peace and quiet, a lot of space for mistakes and nobody to accuse. Peace and quiet, a lot of space for creative work and family. We cant stay long in the city - there's a creative work and family. We cant stay long in the city - there's a noise, unnecessary stress, haste.“noise, unnecessary stress, haste.“

Recommendations to young people who are leaving the rural Recommendations to young people who are leaving the rural areas and even Latvia? "However, try to stick to the countryside - areas and even Latvia? "However, try to stick to the countryside - especially if the parents have already even a small farm. It is especially if the parents have already even a small farm. It is much safer and more promising than work for minimum wage in much safer and more promising than work for minimum wage in the city. Be the master for yourself! The landlord of your land, the city. Be the master for yourself! The landlord of your land, your time, your life! "your time, your life! "

In turn, the farmer Raitis on to the question, what is the key to In turn, the farmer Raitis on to the question, what is the key to stay in the countryside, responding simply: "The key is the land."stay in the countryside, responding simply: "The key is the land."

Promoting youth involvement in NGO Promoting youth involvement in NGO sectorsector

A sA specific feature of the Latvian situation – NGOs take an pecific feature of the Latvian situation – NGOs take an active part in implementing youth policy. Contrary to the active part in implementing youth policy. Contrary to the West European countries, our NGOs are not financed by West European countries, our NGOs are not financed by the government – they fully depend on fundraising, EU the government – they fully depend on fundraising, EU programme “Youth in Action” being one of the most programme “Youth in Action” being one of the most popular one, both with the urban and rural youngsters. popular one, both with the urban and rural youngsters.

Local iniciative groups are the main NGOs implementing Local iniciative groups are the main NGOs implementing the Development plans of LAGs in Latvia, involving the the Development plans of LAGs in Latvia, involving the local inhabitants of all age groups, including youngsters.local inhabitants of all age groups, including youngsters.

The members of our LAG “Rural Partnership Selija” The members of our LAG “Rural Partnership Selija” include five counties with 25 000 rural inhabitants, 29 include five counties with 25 000 rural inhabitants, 29 NGOs and 15 entrepreneurs. NGOs and 15 entrepreneurs.

Promoting youth involvement in NGO Promoting youth involvement in NGO sectorsector

Rural Partnership "Selia ‘Rural Partnership "Selia ‘ involvement in youth activities involvement in youth activities are followare followinging::

Youth project tenders, which were announced in the Youth project tenders, which were announced in the 2006th and 2011. year. Project does not exceed EUR 200 2006th and 2011. year. Project does not exceed EUR 200 per project, but - they enable young people to realize their per project, but - they enable young people to realize their ideas and try out skills in the design and implementationideas and try out skills in the design and implementation of projectsof projects. This limited competition is realized within the . This limited competition is realized within the framework of an incredible number of ideas - decorated framework of an incredible number of ideas - decorated play and recreation areas, organized sports, games, play and recreation areas, organized sports, games, activities, renovated rooms, arranged flower beds, etc.activities, renovated rooms, arranged flower beds, etc.

The annual photo competitions, defining theme is reflected The annual photo competitions, defining theme is reflected in the rural environment, such as: “in the rural environment, such as: “YYoung people leisure oung people leisure facilities in the countryside," "People, events, Deeds," facilities in the countryside," "People, events, Deeds," "Practice makes perfect!" These competitions are the main "Practice makes perfect!" These competitions are the main target young people who are so conscious of his life target young people who are so conscious of his life specific environmental quality.specific environmental quality.

Crafts&artsCrafts&arts Centre “Rume” in Zasa parish. Centre “Rume” in Zasa parish.

Officially it belongs to the local self-government. The new building Officially it belongs to the local self-government. The new building was built within an EU Latvian – Lithuanian Cross – boarder was built within an EU Latvian – Lithuanian Cross – boarder programme with NGO “Selu purs” as the author of the idea and programme with NGO “Selu purs” as the author of the idea and the actual organizer of the activities in the center. the actual organizer of the activities in the center.

Crafts&arts CentreCrafts&arts Centre

provides the programmes forprovides the programmes for

youngsters:youngsters:

Work practice;Work practice;

Voluntary work;Voluntary work;

Life – long learningLife – long learning

Activities of the local iniciative Activities of the local iniciative groupsgroups

Activities of the local iniciative Activities of the local iniciative groupsgroups

NGO “Ūdenszīmes”, founded in the former Kaldabruna NGO “Ūdenszīmes”, founded in the former Kaldabruna Elementary School, arranged its first open air hay Elementary School, arranged its first open air hay sculptures’ festival “Hay Days” in 2008. Now it is an sculptures’ festival “Hay Days” in 2008. Now it is an annual event, attracting both local inhabitants and tourists. annual event, attracting both local inhabitants and tourists. It is the youngsters who are the most active participants. It is the youngsters who are the most active participants. Moreover, not only the 13–16-year–olds but also the 18–25-Moreover, not only the 13–16-year–olds but also the 18–25-year-olds. year-olds.

Activities of the local iniciative Activities of the local iniciative groupsgroups

The Sports club “Sliterani” has a long history of arranging The Sports club “Sliterani” has a long history of arranging motor races in a voluntary way. In 2010 it became an NGO motor races in a voluntary way. In 2010 it became an NGO

and started fundraisingand started fundraising.. About 70% of its members are youngsters. In 2011 its first About 70% of its members are youngsters. In 2011 its first

LEADER programe project got approved and a new well –LEADER programe project got approved and a new well –equipped mototrack will be made. equipped mototrack will be made.

Successful national and local self-Successful national and local self-governmental programmsgovernmental programms

Youth issues are paid due attention both on national, self-governmental Youth issues are paid due attention both on national, self-governmental and non-governmental levels. If the implementation phase deserves a and non-governmental levels. If the implementation phase deserves a much more serious attitude, as to the strategic planning, there is a solid much more serious attitude, as to the strategic planning, there is a solid grounding for reaching the desired improvements in the situation of grounding for reaching the desired improvements in the situation of young people in Latvia:young people in Latvia:

- the Youth Law is already functioning;- the Youth Law is already functioning; - there are Youth policy guidelines for 2009-2018;- there are Youth policy guidelines for 2009-2018; - there is National Program of Youth Policy for 2009-2013. - there is National Program of Youth Policy for 2009-2013.

20092009 and and 20102010 have been successful as to the number of new have been successful as to the number of new documents concerning important youth issues in rural areas. During the documents concerning important youth issues in rural areas. During the Territory administrative reform in 2009 many small self-governments Territory administrative reform in 2009 many small self-governments were joined forming larger administrative unites called counties. They were joined forming larger administrative unites called counties. They managed to work out their own Youth Development Plans. In 2009 this managed to work out their own Youth Development Plans. In 2009 this process was promoted by the following researches done by Ministry of process was promoted by the following researches done by Ministry of Education:Education:

- Criteria for evaluating the work with youngsters in a local self-- Criteria for evaluating the work with youngsters in a local self-government; government;

- Education needs and interests of youngsters living in distant or - Education needs and interests of youngsters living in distant or less developed areas. less developed areas.

Successful national and local self-Successful national and local self-governmental programmsgovernmental programms

On the basis of the above mentioned documents most of On the basis of the above mentioned documents most of the 109 counties have worked out their Youth Development Plans. the 109 counties have worked out their Youth Development Plans. Nevertheless, planning and reality actually differ. As a positive Nevertheless, planning and reality actually differ. As a positive example can be mentioned the programms financed by the EU example can be mentioned the programms financed by the EU Social Funds and implemented by the National Employment Social Funds and implemented by the National Employment Agency. having an of impact on the improvement of the youth Agency. having an of impact on the improvement of the youth situation in rural areas. situation in rural areas.

e.g. In 2009-2010 within the program “Youth work practices” e.g. In 2009-2010 within the program “Youth work practices” youngsters could work in enterprises and NGOs with a monthly youngsters could work in enterprises and NGOs with a monthly allowance of allowance of EUR 170EUR 170 and additional EUR and additional EUR 450450 to acquire new to acquire new knowledge and skills. knowledge and skills.

A new programm has been started – “Youth voluntary work A new programm has been started – “Youth voluntary work programm” promoting youngsters` involvement in NGOs (EUR programm” promoting youngsters` involvement in NGOs (EUR 60 a month) 60 a month)

Both programms are beneficial for rural youngsters as their Both programms are beneficial for rural youngsters as their implementation is possible close to the place where the young implementation is possible close to the place where the young people live. people live.

Successful national and local self-Successful national and local self-governmental programmsgovernmental programms

On a self-governmental level:On a self-governmental level: all 5 local self governments on the territory of the LAG all 5 local self governments on the territory of the LAG

“Rural Partnership Selija” offer small project calls to their “Rural Partnership Selija” offer small project calls to their NGOs ( about EUR 500 a project) with one of the NGOs ( about EUR 500 a project) with one of the evaluation criteria being the level of youngsters` evaluation criteria being the level of youngsters` involvement in their implementation. involvement in their implementation.

Work with young people is integrated in all the activity Work with young people is integrated in all the activity fields of rural self-governments – fields of rural self-governments –

culture, sport and social care, regular meetings with the culture, sport and social care, regular meetings with the

local officials and entrepreneurs. local officials and entrepreneurs.

In conclusion – some theses on the advantages In conclusion – some theses on the advantages and disadvantages of the situation of youngsters in and disadvantages of the situation of youngsters in

rural and urban Latviarural and urban Latvia The rural youngsters lack many kinds of education, life-The rural youngsters lack many kinds of education, life-

long learning and spending the free time due to the long long learning and spending the free time due to the long distances and the costs of transport. In this aspect – the distances and the costs of transport. In this aspect – the urban youngsters are in an advantageous situation. urban youngsters are in an advantageous situation.

The advantages:The advantages: – – lots of free space for implementing youngsters` lots of free space for implementing youngsters`

initiatives, initiatives, - cheaper facilities for free time activities. - cheaper facilities for free time activities. Moreover, in many cases sports grounds and halls, Moreover, in many cases sports grounds and halls,

premises for cultural activities and social gatherings for premises for cultural activities and social gatherings for rural youngsters cost nothing while the access to them in rural youngsters cost nothing while the access to them in cities is quite expensive if any at all.cities is quite expensive if any at all.

– – possibility to address the local officials directly, to be possibility to address the local officials directly, to be heard by them and to get involved in reaching the heard by them and to get involved in reaching the expected solution. expected solution.

The Main ChallengeThe Main Challenge The main challengeThe main challenge– – an an eeconomic perspective conomic perspective

that would allow the youngsters to plan their that would allow the youngsters to plan their future in their birthplace – in the countryside of future in their birthplace – in the countryside of Latvia. Latvia.

The main solution - other than a rapid growth of The main solution - other than a rapid growth of economy – education and international economy – education and international cooperation providing the young people with cooperation providing the young people with such knowledge so that they can create such knowledge so that they can create innovative and attracting jobs for themselves innovative and attracting jobs for themselves nowhere else but in the countryside! nowhere else but in the countryside!