On International Youth Day, Latvian EuroPeers visited Bauska

The event took place on a symbolic date, as August 12 is celebrated worldwide as International Youth Day to highlight the importance of youth work.

The celebration brought together three young people from the Latvian EuroPeers network. In collaboration with the network coordinator, they had prepared activities focusing on Erasmus+ youth exchanges, European Solidarity Corps volunteering, and the DiscoverEU initiative.

At the JSPA tent, Simona Pastare shared her experience of volunteering in a project in France. She invited young visitors to take part in a task where they had to find the missing numbers. The final result formed a “key code,” which allowed participants to receive a symbolic souvenir.

Gustavs Zīverts spoke about his experience in Erasmus+ youth exchange projects, where he had participated both as a participant and as an organizer. At his activity station, visitors could learn theoretical information about the essence of such projects, explore real-life examples, and try tasks that young people had implemented in previous projects.

Alise Lase introduced the DiscoverEU initiative, which offers 18-year-olds the opportunity to embark on a 30-day journey across Europe. She was one of the young people from Latvia who won this ticket in the 2024 autumn round, planned her route, and went on the adventure. In her practical activity, participants could step into the role of a traveler and plan a travel budget — choosing the cities and countries they wanted to visit, as well as selecting activities and landmarks. Alise also encouraged participants to consider the principles of sustainable travel.

During the celebrations, a stage discussion was held on the opportunities EU programs offer young people. EuroPeers ambassadors shared their personal experiences in projects, talking about preparation, the support they received, and the benefits gained. They encouraged other young people to take part and make the most of these opportunities. The EuroPeers network coordinator in Latvia complemented their stories with information about JSPA’s support, coordinated projects, and activities for young people.

After participating in the event, EuroPeers ambassador Alise said:

“This experience inspired me as a young person to continue getting involved and share the good examples, proving that any Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps project can be a real adventure!”

Additional Information:
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