“Change Starts Now” Project Successfully Held in Riga, Latvia!

We are proud to announce the successful implementation of our “Change Starts Now” project, which took place between 18–25 April 2025 in Riga, Latvia. The project, approved by the Latvian National Agency under reference number 2024-3-LV02-KA152-YOU-000266537, brought together young people and youth workers from Latvia, Spain, Romania, Turkey, and Austria to engage in a meaningful journey toward gender equality and social change.

Throughout the project week, participants took part in a dynamic and interactive program that included:

Workshops and Group Discussions on gender-based violence and its causes and impacts,

Creative Activities and Role Plays to build empathy and raise awareness,

Campaign Planning Sessions where participants designed their own local awareness actions,

Intercultural Evenings and Sharing Circles to foster cross-cultural understanding and solidarity.

By creating a safe and inclusive space for dialogue, the project empowered young people to speak out against violence and become active agents of change in their communities.

Key Outcomes of the Project

Increased Awareness: Participants deepened their understanding of the complex issue of violence against women and its global relevance.

Enhanced Skills: Youth developed critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills through non-formal education methods.

Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Strong bonds were formed among participants from different countries, promoting mutual respect and cooperation.

Community Engagement: Each national team prepared creative outputs — including social media content, visual materials, and action plans — to raise awareness back home.

Commitment to Gender Equality: The project inspired participants and youth workers to integrate gender-sensitive practices into their future youth work.

The “Change Starts Now” project was not only an educational experience but also a transformative one. It strengthened young people’s belief in their ability to influence change and provided them with tools to continue raising awareness in their own communities.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our project partners from Spain, Romania, Turkey, and Austria, as well as to all participants whose passion and commitment made this initiative a success.

Together, we took a powerful step forward — because change truly starts now.