First Stakeholder Meeting Held in Riga

The first stakeholder meeting of the YESVolunteer project in Latvia was hosted by Riga Planning Region at the Riga EU House, on September 30, bringing together regional representatives and youth specialists from regional municipalities. The meeting served as a platform to discuss youth volunteering, share best practices, and lay the groundwork for enhanced regional cooperation in this critical area.

To support the project’s goals, the Riga Planning Region is forming a project cooperation group. This group will include representatives from the region's municipalities and local experts in youth engagement. Over the next four years, they will work together to provide expertise and develop policy recommendations to strengthen youth volunteering initiatives across the region.

The meeting was chaired by Ronalds Saksons, the project coordinator, who presented an overview of the YESVolunteer project and its objectives. Zane Ozola, representing the Youth International Programme Agency (YIPA), provided insights into the mechanisms of youth volunteering in Latvia, while municipal and NGO representatives shared their experiences in supporting youth volunteers.

Vita Žunda, a YESVolunteer project expert, highlighted the importance of cooperation between municipalities and international partners. The event concluded with a discussion focused on selecting best practices for international exchange and identifying opportunities for future collaboration.

This meeting marks a significant milestone in fostering regional cooperation and encouraging young people’s participation in volunteering. Moving forward, the project will focus on facilitating active involvement in international exchange programmes and formulating policy proposals to advance youth work in the Riga Planning Region.

Stay tuned for updates on the development of the YESVolunteer project and its efforts to promote youth development through volunteering.