EUth Connected – Building Inclusive Spaces — Latvia

Martina 13. 4. 202626. 4. 2026

Erasmus+, Key action 1: training course

Dates: 13—19 April 2026

Venue: Stāmeriena guest house “Sonāte“, Stāmeriena, Latvia

Czech team: 3 participants – youth workers

Please read the info-pack.

Hosting organisation: Gulbene district Youth center “Bāze”

Project report:

Excited to see the Baltic states for the first time, our Czech team, consisting of three girls, traveled to Latvia for a one-week-long training course for youth workers with the title EUth Connected – Building Inclusive Spaces (EUC-BIS). Besides our team, there were more participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Portugal, Romania, Italy, Germany, and Belarus. Therefore, we had the chance to meet many different cultures.

Our venue was located in Stāmeriena, a small village with lakes and forests far from civilization, and we were accommodated in a beautiful wooden guest house. The project was organized by a group pf workers from Gulbene district Youth center “Bāze” and the main topic we looked at was inclusion. We talked about how all different people can feel included and participate actively in our communities. The main aim of the training was to equip youth work practitioners with tools and knowledge necessary to reach and engage more participants with fewer opportunities and show us how to use the knowledge to create projects and activities. The main trainer, Renos Georgiou, was able to lead the programme as a real professional, demonstrating his long experience in the topic of social integration. He was able to teach us new modern methods of learning that I will definitely try to implement in my volunteer work.

On the last day, as an outcome, we worked in teams on planning a workshop focused on a specific topic (human rights, European citizenship, mental health and inclusion). We prepared a detailed summary of what the workshop would look like with a specific target group, methods, time frame, etc. If possible, each participant is encouraged to implement the activity in their own youth work practice.

Besides developing our skills in team work, discussions and role plays, we also got the chance to visit a local youth centre BAZE, which I found very inspirational. It is a place for youngsters to come and spend time, while having fun and developing various skills. It offers many possibilities to spend free time (musical instruments, pool, xbox, gym, and much more). I believe your centers are a great way to enhance youth participation and to offer young people a meaningful way to spend their time and socialize with peers. We also went on a tour of a beautiful castle located just 5 minutes from our guest house and had the chance to spend one evening in a local sauna – which was indeed an authentic Baltic experience.

I recommend anyone interested in youth work, education and social inclusion to take part in a project at BAZE. We learnt so much about youth participation and inclusion in quite a short time, had the chance to experience the local life, and were able to network and inspire from other youth workers active all around Europe.

Lada A.

“Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Commission or Agency for the International Programs for Youth. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”