Real change starts with the right partners
About the project
Change happens when we Join Forces
Joining Forces is a step-by-step model that brings together municipalities and social entrepreneurs to co-create solutions for stronger, more inclusive communities. We bridge the gap between policy and possibility, between local insight and structural change - to turn shared ambition into measurable impact.
The Joining Forces Liepāja project aims to increase youth employment by strengthening the collaboration between the social enterprise House of Hope (HoH) and Liepaja City Municipality Central Administration (LCMCA) to co-create and implement a 12-month training program for disadvantaged youth.
About the project
Why
In Latvia, many young people still face barriers to employment. 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.
About the project
What
Despite shared aims to address these issues, public sector services often run in parallel with grassroots initiatives. 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.
About the project
How
Building on Reach for Change’s Kraftsamling initiative in Sweden, Joining Forces Liepāja is validating a proven checklist approach for fostering lasting cross-sector collaboration and co-create a 12-month program to develop the skills of disadvantaged youth.
Currently, HoH and LCMCA are jointly delivering the second phase of the 12-month training program aimed at developing the skills of disadvantaged youth. In the first phase, over 30 NEET young people took part in skills-based training. Building on this success, the second phase will engage around 30 new participants, while 15 youth will continue to further develop their skills or explore new training areas. Returning participants will also support peers and workshop leaders, strengthening learning outcomes, building confidence and employability skills, and reducing drop-out rates. This model ensures sustained engagement, meaningful skill development, and long-term impact for young people facing barriers to employment.
The Joining Forces Liepāja project 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.
Project News
Liepāja Municipality in Latvia Joins Forces to Empower Youth through Social Innovation
Joining Forces Liepāja is uniting the Liepāja City Municipality with local social entrepreneurs to empower vulnerable youth as they navigate education and employment opportunities. In a recent interview, Renāte Kleina – a Public Administration Specialist at Liepāja City Council – shared how this cross-sector collaboration is already changing lives while planning for long-term sustainability.
Boosting Youth Employability through Cross-Sector Collaboration In Liepaja, Latvia
Reach for Change together with House of Hope (HoH) and Liepaja City Municipality Central Administration (LCMCA) increase youth employment by strengthening the collaboration between social entrepreneurs and the municipality. Co-funded by the European Social Fund Agency’s Social Innovation Initiative, the partners are coming together to co-create a training program for disadvantaged youth.
Joining Forces in action, ongoing and previous success stories
Co-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.