The “Agency for International Programs for Youth of Latvia” and euforia collaborate to organize a four days hands-on study trip in Switzerland. 26 Latvian youth center representatives will learn from and with other Swiss organizations and youth. The aim is to exchange experiences and good practices.
The exchange will take place in the French-speaking part of Switzerland from October 17th to 20th. It includes many activities, among others a World Café to get inspired by existing youth initiatives in Switzerland, and to have a picture of the Swiss social work structure. Furthermore, a learning exchange session with local youth centers and social workers in Crissier and Renens will make the participants experience field work with outdoor activities and give a safe space to brainstorm how some ideas could be adapted for Latvia. In addition, a “euforic programs fair” will make the participants experience our activities and unconventional methodologies, such as Radical Collaboration or Wellbeing workshops. An interactive rally will provide them with the opportunity to visit and discover organizations in Geneva and harvest the best practices, exchanging with locals and learning by experimenting.
Our program developer Natalia, explains, „we will use very inclusive, interactive and non-formal educational methods to create a unique learning experience for everyone so that the participants get to know and learn from the Swiss youth sector. Our common vision is to inspire and to motivate through Swiss initiatives while sharing experience and expertise.”
The study trip is part of the Latvian-Swiss cooperation program “Support for the Development of Youth Initiatives in Peripheral or Disadvantaged Regions”, funded by the Swiss Government. The program aims at providing personal and professional perspectives to young people living in peripheral and disadvantaged regions of Latvia. So far, 26 multi-functional youth initiative centers have been created in Latvia and more than 160 seminars for young people and persons involved in youth work have been organized. “We are thankful to the Swiss Government for funding this program. The study visit is important to see and to adopt Swiss youth center good practices in our 26 youth centers in Latvia”, says Vladislava Skele, head of the International Cooperation and Support Division of Agency for International Programs for Youth of Latvia.
The Latvian-Swiss cooperation program “Support for the Development of Youth Initiatives in Peripheral or Disadvantaged Regions” involves two components. Within the framework of the first component, 26 multi-functional youth initiative centers shall be created in different self-governmental bodies of the Republic of Latvia. The second component involves training and events for the youth and the executives working with the youth, as well as development of metodological educational materials.
In order to make this learning exchange a great success, the Agency for International Programs for Youth of Latvia and euforia collaborate with a variety of local partners, such as Unités d'action communautaire (UAC), Point Info, Pré en bulle, la Maison de Quartier Plainpalais, Villa Freundler, ACAB and Be You Network.
