Press release.

NGO “Youth Initiative Center “Involvement for Change”” is pleased to announce the successful completion of the solidarity project “flourish” - a youth initiative dedicated to encouraging, inspiring peers, as well as youth workers, and creating a “space” for their self-growth.

What is “flourish”?

It is a youth-led solidarity project with the aim of helping young people become healthy and strong personalities, developing emotional intelligence, the ability to formulate and express an independent opinion, as well as promoting understanding of assertive communication and cooperation. Special attention is paid to young people with limited opportunities. With “to flourish” we aimed to create an environment where young people could get to know themselves, realize their strengths and experience a sense of belonging in a safe, supportive community.

The project implemented a variety of activities, including webinars and face-to-face thematic classes dedicated to personal growth, as well as the development of a new tool for self-knowledge and work with young people - the metaphorical associative cards "augt" and an accompanying booklet with reflection questions and five ideas for using the cards individually and in group work.

What are the results and benefits of the "flourish" project?

A thematic cycle of 3 face-to-face classes and 3 online webinars was implemented for young people and youth workers, providing an opportunity to explore topics such as:

“Me and my identity” (webinar, March, 2025)

“Exploring the inner world through fairy tales” (face-to-face class, April, 2025)

“Me and healthy relationships” (webinar, May, 2025)

“Expressing emotions through creativity” (face-to-face class, June, 2025)

“Me and self-growth” (webinar, July, 2025)

“Communication” (face-to-face class, August, 2025)

Three educational summary videos were developed that provide an insight into the webinar process (theoretical aspects discussed, tasks and discussion questions), which are available to anyone on the association’s website.

A unique, artistic tool for working with young people has been created - metaphorically associative cards “augt”. This set of cards is available both in digital format on the association’s website and in limited quantities in printed form. The cards and booklet are available in both Latvian and English.

The capacity of the association was strengthened, as the team gained valuable experience in independent project implementation during the project, creating activities for both young people and youth workers. The range of volunteers has been expanded.

An exchange of experience and dissemination of project results was implemented at an international level, with the cards “to grow” developed during the project “to flourish” also being introduced to the organization’s cooperation partners from Romania, using the English version of the cards in “Erasmus+” youth exchange projects.

“For us, “flourish” means the courage to grow together, both through conversations, creativity, and openness to each other, openness to the process. We wanted to give young people the feeling that they are seen, heard, and able to create change in themselves and in the world around them,” says project team coordinator Krista Kristiāna Kristapsone.

About the NGO “Youth Initiative Center “Involvement for Change””:

NGO “Youth Initiative Center “Involvement for Change”” is a non-governmental organization established in August 2023 as a result of the initiative of an active group of young people, whose mission is to strive to inspire, involve, and support every young person. Through the activities of the association, we strive to promote social inclusion, active citizenship, as well as provide opportunities for personal and professional growth for young people and youth workers.

The most important part of the association is its circle of members and volunteers - young people who are ready to express their opinions and get involved in various ways in solving issues relevant to the local community, currently paying special attention to those initiatives related to improving the overall quality of life of neurotypical and neurodiverse young people.

Contact information:

NGO “Youth Initiative Center “Involvement for Change””,

E-mail: info.involvement4change@gmail.com

Website: involvement-for-change.mozellosite.com