Renāte Kleina, Public Administration Specialist at Liepāja City Council
Besides the improvement of youth employability, the Joining Forces Liepāja project has also another long-term goal to inspire sustainable partnerships among various stake-holders of the public sector and social entrepreneurs, both in Latvia and beyond. Liepāja’s role in this project exemplifies the power of cooperation at the local level. According to Renāte, the municipality saw Joining Forces as an opportunity to address a pressing concern: keeping the city’s young people engaged and thriving in their hometown. These youth are considered “our future asset,” explains Renāte, noting that their skills and abilities should become an integral part of the city’s society and economy.
The main goal, I would say, [is] to motivate and keep the young people in Liepāja – to teach them here and to show them that there are possibilities here.
Woodworking workshop
Collaboration is at the heart of the project.
Liepāja Municipality has partnered with House of Hope – a local social enterprise – to implement the project’s ideas on the ground. Renāte works closely with the organization, which is strengthening the city’s support system for at-risk youth.
House of Hope serves as “the safe space and hub for young people,” she explains, providing a welcoming environment for participants who often come from vulnerable backgrounds. The enterprise brings “hands-on experience” and extra resources – such as mentors and psychological support – that complement the municipality’s services.
They can catch those young people in the gray zone and keep them together. When one project ends and a young person is still in between things, they can join the activities of House of Hope and continue their development, and get on the right track.
House of Hope building in Liepāja, Latvia
Renāte emphasizes that House of Hope is not just a service provider, but a true social entrepreneur because of its entrepreneurial spirit in tackling social issues. Rather than relying solely on grants or handouts, organizations like House of Hope aim to be financially self-sustaining. The approach of combining social mission with business savvy is encouraged by the municipality, as it promises more durable support for youth and local community in the long run.
Sustainability is a key concern.
As with many pilot projects, Joining Forces came with time-limited funding. “My only concern is about the sequel of the training programme,” Renāte admits. “When the project period ends, it’s always a challenge to keep it alive, so we are on a purposeful mission to keep the developed support mechanism running”. To address this, Renāte has been proactive in planning for the future and finding means to continue the initiative beyond the initial grant. By integrating the Joining Forces approach into existing departments and budget lines, Liepāja hopes to maintain momentum even when external funding winds down.
Despite the challenges, the early results of Joining Forces Liepāja are inspiring. The program’s practical skill-building and personalized support have also encouraged participants to improve their education.
The House of Hope team tries to motivate and inspire young people to return to education. Several young people are currently in distance learning programs to receive their secondary education.
She notes that one participant even gained the confidence to register as self-employed – a remarkable turnaround for someone previously at risk of social exclusion. Each success story, whether a new job or a renewed pursuit of schooling, is a testament to the project’s impact on individual lives.
Group activities at House of Hope
Both the municipality and its NGO partners are encouraged by these outcomes. The Joining Forces Liepāja project has fostered “optimism for ongoing collaboration” among everyone involved. Renāte credits the close cooperation – between city officials, social workers, mentors, and the youths themselves – for creating an environment where young people can thrive. “It works both ways,” she says of the partnership with House of Hope. Communication is open, with city and social enterprise teams regularly exchanging ideas to reach their goals. This reciprocal relationship ensures that the initiative remains responsive to youth needs on the ground while aligning with municipal objectives.
Hairdressers workshop
As Liepāja looks to the future, the Joining Forces Liepāja project stands as a promising model of how cities can team up with social entrepreneurs to tackle youth unemployment and exclusion. The municipality’s efforts – from co-designing programs to co-funding and formal recognition of non-formal education – have been crucial in shaping a support system that is both innovative and rooted in the community. Renāte expresses hope that more youth will see a future for themselves in Liepāja. With cooperation, entrepreneurial thinking, and a shared passion for supporting youth, the city and its partners are building not just a project, but a lasting foundation for the future.
Such support mechanisms can inspire young people and show them what they can achieve in their city.
Visit to the local enterprise
