Jurmala Youth initiative center

Jurmala Children and youth centre is a municipality institution which carries out organizational and methodological activities of interest (hobby) education and is responsible for youth work in Jurmala city. Children and youth centre features 29 hobby groups for 6 different fields lead by 25 teachers and attended by more than 600 students. Hobby classes are held throughout the city. As regular events are different camps at school holiday weeks, environmental education competitions, summer camps, and educational seminars for both students and teachers. As a structural unit established under Jurmala children and youth interest centre is working Jurmala Youth initiative centre, which is the main youth policy implementer and non-formal education and leisure activity organizer for youth, also youth with fewer opportunities, in the city. Since 2012 Youth initiative centre is a place for Jurmala Youth council where they defend the interests of young people and organize youth leisure activities, educational seminars and other activities for young people in the city. Since 2017 once in a month Jurmala’s young school council representatives from all 11 schools located in 24 km long Jurmala are invited to meet to discuss common issues and develop their school councils. Jurmala youth initiative centre is coordinating voluntary work in the city, both in local and international level. Since 2013 Jurmala children and youth interest centre has organized different type of projects under Erasmus+ and Youth in Action programs. Jurmala youth initiative centre has a wide experience in youth work both working directly with Jurmala youth aged 13-25 years – youth council, school student council leaders and other interest groups and individuals - and organizing bigger events, trainings, seminars and projects for youth, including various Erasmus+ projects. All activities organised are based on non-formal learning principles and methods. Our youth workers have participated in different training courses and study visits organized by Ministry of Education, Latvian National agency and other youth organisations on local, national and international level regarding various topics like basic youth work, social inclusion, outdoor education, entrepreneurial activities for youth and others. Youth initiative centre is the main coordinator of youth volunteering activities in Jurmala motivating and providing youth with opportunities to volunteer and gain experience in different fields. Jurmala Children and youth interest centre has been Eurodesk regional coordinator in 2014., 2015., 2016., 2017 and 2018. Jurmala Children and youth interest centre and youth initiative centre have organised and continues to implement a series of international and local projects, for example Erasmus+/Youth in action youth exchanges: “Together we can more” (2013), “IN!” (2015); “Be prepared” (2017), “FingerPrint of Cultures” (2017), “OK!” (2018), “Me.You.Personality.”(2018), European voluntary service projects: “European volunteer in Jurmalas BJIC (), “Be Active!”() together hosting 4 volunteers. Jurmala Youth initiative centre plays an active role in the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in society. In cooperation with Jurmala's non-governmental sector and educational institutions, various activities and projects aiming at integrating young people with fewer opportunities are organized. Jurmala BJIC supports the ideas and initiatives of young people with fewer opportunities in implementing activities that meet their needs and interests.