In Latvia, many young people still face barriers to employment. According to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), as of 2022, 8.6% of people aged 15-24 were not in active employment or study - still some distance from the government’s target of 6% by 2027. In Liepaja, youth aged 15-24 comprise 9.3% of the total unemployment rate in the city, compared to the regional average of 8.3%. A 2023 survey conducted by the municipality highlighted that 28% of youth did not associate their future with living in Liepaja, with a third citing a lack of employment opportunities as a reason for this. Overall in Latvia, a fourth of young people reported wanting to emigrate in a 2021 survey (CSB). These figures highlight the need for effective strategies to create opportunities for young people in Latvia.
Despite many shared aims, public sector services often run in parallel with grassroots initiatives, with collaboration typically limited to subcontracting or public procurement. Social enterprises in the Nordics and Baltics often struggle to collaborate with the public sector due to complexities in finding relevant partnership opportunities, the short-term nature of such opportunities, as well as the public sector’s high expectations for fast results. On the other hand, the public sector refers to social enterprises as being ‘hard-to-reach’ and also feel it can be challenging to quality control service provision delivered by third parties. Nevertheless, both sectors are eager to work together but aren’t sure how to start.
In the face of increasing societal complexities and uncertainties, it is more important than ever that actors across sectors increase their collaboration in addressing joint challenges. This is especially crucial in the context of youth skills development, which is key to preparing the next generation to lead society through the ongoing transitions and stay resilient against threats to European cohesion and prosperity. We are therefore thrilled to be working with Liepaja Municipality and House of Hope on this innovative project.
The project builds upon results and learnings from the Reach for Change-led initiative in Sweden known as Kraftsamling, which has produced several outputs ready for validation and replication. These include a Collaboration Checklist that outlines the key steps that public authorities and SEs should take ahead of establishing a new partnership.
Joining Forces aims to replicate and validate the practical checklist approach to fostering sustainable cross-sectoral collaboration between the public sector and social enterprises in a new context. The project combines the strengths of the Liepaja Municipality and a local social enterprise House of Hope to co-create a 12-month program focused on developing the skills of disadvantaged youth. It facilitates a unique collaboration between two entities that share mutual goals but have lacked opportunities to leverage evidenced methodologies in a sustainable partnership of equals.
This project aims for two long-term outcomes:
1. Providing an innovative pathway towards reduced unemployment rates among disadvantaged youth,
2. Inspiring an increased number of sustainable partnerships between the public sector and social enterprises, both in Latvia and beyond.
If you’re interested in learning more about the project, reach out to us at [email protected].
Project name: Joining forces for increased youth employability in Liepaja
Duration: 1st January 2025 - 1st January 2027 (24 months)
Partners: Liepaja City Municipality Central Administration (LCMCA), House of Hope Biedrība (HoH); Associated Partner: Möteplats Social Innovation (Forum for Social Innovation).
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.
