is an empowerment programme for young people from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and the North-West of Russia. It connects people and raises their interest in the Baltic region. The program is based on non-formal educational methods, stimulating the participants to develop critical thinking, diversity awareness and giving them impulses for civic involvement and a space for trying out own initiatives.
are democratic values that live in our communication, activities and social changes we support. The basic programme consists of 4 stages:
1) Introduction seminar with a specific topic
The main aim of it is to inspire others and get inspired. The seminar consists of a range of non-formal activities (e.g. conversations, discussions, presentations in various forms, role games, practical workshops etc.) This stage is meant for formulating and sharing thoughts and ideas. Questions for Introduction seminar: What do you care for in your community? What are the problems you see in the society and how far do they influence you and your environment? What should and could be changed to get these problems solved? At the end of these days, participants formulate a specific idea for themselves about a possible solution of one specific social problem. It can be done in a form of a smaller or bigger project, or some activities.
2) Project seminar
The next step is much more specific, now participants should find ways how to implement their ideas. First task at the Project seminar is to finalise plans by finding answers to such questions as: What social problem would you like to get solved? How will it help people around you? Why is it important for you? In the course of this seminar, participants get basic knowledge about project management: teamwork, budget, time management, PR and so on.
3) Project implementation
In the course of next 3 months participants implement their personal or group projects. To make the work easier every project teams gets a mentor which supports them during the process.
4) Evaluation seminar
In order to understand the real impact and success of the implemented projects, it’s important to evaluate them. At this stage participants discuss the problems they faced and receive advice for the solutions, plan the future cooperation, and simply enjoy a happy reunion. After finishing the Programme participants are offered various ways of staying active in the programme by organizing alumni activities or even becoming a mentor or a facilitator. is a joint program of Theodor-Heuss-Kolleg (DE), German-Russian Exchange (RU), ORBITA (LV) and Domus Dorpatensis Academy (EST). It was established in 2012.
