ESC: Harmony for Change 24/25

Gulbene district youth center “Bāze” is made and being held by Gulbene Municipality. Institution is going forwards with the aim of supporting and helping to develop youngster initiatives, in the same time encouraging youngsters to develop their life quality. Youth center “Bāze” were founded in 2006 and since 2019 three more youth centers in district were added to “Bāze” subordination: Ranka parish youth initiative center “B.u.M.s.”, Lejasciems parish youth center “Pulss” and Stāķi parish youth center “Ligzda”. By the changes, the team of 9 workers in all youth centers together were made. In making activities and working for the youth, institution is working according to Law of Youth, Children rights and protection law and many different regulations, as well as Gulbene Municipality made acts of rights and approved institution regulations. Moreover all youth centers are giving out priorities in working with youth and plans all of the activities regarding to Gulbene district youth policy planed for years 2018-2024. This policy is planned on 5 aims of direction, which accordingly goes hand to hand with country of Latvia youth policy planning documentation: informal education, participation, volunteering, work with social risk youngsters, youth employment and business, meaningful and active ways of spending free time. As we mentioned before, youth center main activities are based on Gulbene district youth policy documentation ways of work, as well as youth center priorities for the year. Besides that, yearly traditional activities and events are being held, moreover some new traditions are being made, for example, “Backyard party” – in frames of this event, there are usually one theme of talking, which is a big topic for youngsters at the moment, besides it, the picnic is being held, where youngsters of all ages, from different places, with different experiences and points of views can come together to spend some time in informal atmosphere. Every year there is a Gulbene district award ceremony for youngsters held too, in which youngsters have a chance to look back at the previous year and to nominate their favorite people or events for these awards. In the time of summer, the aim is put on different kind of camps and activities for youth and children, by making sure, that the content of the activities are interesting and topical for these young people. Youth centers are equipped with great infrastructure and inventory, so that in the time between activities, young people are spending their time quality, and of course, there always will be informal talks and discussions. We believe that the youth center is not only the building, where youngsters can meet us every day, but it can be anywhere, where youngsters are in need for us to go. That’s why, we are focused on interinstitutional corporation, so we, together, would make youth work happening in all around the district- in cultural places, libraries, schools, sports centers, stadiums and so on.