This is the first time that such an award is presented by the governmental institution responsible for youth matters, currently Ministry of Education and Science. The award ceremony took place during Latvian Youth Policy forum (October 25-26) in Riga.
The criteria for receiving the award were the following: the working areas of the organisation correspond to the goals of national youth policy; organisation has a widespread cooperation network in youth policy; it implements diverse activities and operates in numerous territories of local authorities; the target group of the organisation includes youth from social risk groups; organisation has a long-term strategy; it participates in decision-making, improving the cooperation between youth organisations and national and local institutions.
The persisting difficult financial and political situation of youth work in Latvia is a clear evidence for the necessity of involvement in youth policy, decision-making, networking and advocacy. Therefore, YWCA/YMCA of Latvia has been active in these fields ever since its restoration in 1991, after 50 years of forced closure by the Soviet rule. It is one of the founding members of Latvian Youth Council, Latvian Society for Gender equality and Latvian Civic Alliance, and is well known for its engagement, expertise and advocacy role in these working areas.
Currently, YWCA/YMCA of Latvia is a member of the advisory committee of youth organisations at the ministry responsible for youth work (since its creation in 2007) and advisory council on youth at the Ministry of Education and Science (since its creation in 2009). Its representatives and member organisations are active both at local and national level as official members in committees and other structures as well as well-known volunteer activists.
YWCA/YMCA of Latvia has previously received appreciation and awards for its work by Latvian Youth Council, National Agency for International Programmes for Youth, Secretariat for Social Integration, local municipalities a.o. yet this is the highest praise ever received at national level. Nevertheless, this award is only a milestone in the way of the organisation’s work. Continuous effort is needed and will be made to ensure that youth work gains recognition and financial support from the state so that one day youth organisations in Latvia will be able to focus on their work and development of long-term programmes instead of an ongoing fight for survival.
YWCA/YMCA of Latvia would like to thank everyone who has invested and participated in the development of the movement thus shaping it into what it has become.
