Lai jaunietis spertu pirmo soli pretī savai iespējai, vajadzīga ne tikai informācija, bet arī pamudinājums,
stāsta Eurodesk koordinatore Latvijā Arita Zvejniece, uzsverot kampaņas galveno mērķi atvest starptautiskās iespējas tieši pie jauniešiem viņu dzīvesvietās.
This weekend, on October 24 and 25, the association “Jaunatne smaidam” will deploy its mobile youth center for the “Time to Move Roadshow,” visiting Bārbele, Stelpe, Vecumnieki, and Misa. The outreach aims to connect young people aged 13 to 30 with international mobility initiatives, volunteering, and EU youth programs without requiring them to seek out information independently.
The roadshow schedule covers four specific stops over the weekend. On October 24, activities run from 11:00 to 13:00 in the courtyard of the Bārbeles Folk House, followed by an afternoon session from 15:00 to 17:00 at the Stelpe Market Square. On October 25, the mobile center moves to Vecumnieki near the Folk House from 11:00 to 13:00, concluding from 15:00 to 17:00 next to the basketball court in Misa.
Did You Know? Eurodesk darbojās kā informācijas tīkls, un Latvijā to koordinē Jaunatnes starptautisko programmu aģentūra, piedāvājot vairākus desmitus reģionālo koordinatoru un informācijas punktu.
Interactive Activities and Scoring at Roadshow Stops
At every tour stop, participants can take part in a structured activity titled “Your Path in Europe,” which combines escape room elements, quizzes, and practical challenges. Attendees can join individually or in groups, accumulating points that are tracked in a centralized table using participant codes.
Renārs Manuilovs, a board member of “Jaunatne smaidam,” explains that the practical tasks introduce participants to “Erasmus+” youth exchanges, the European Solidarity Corps, volunteering, employment opportunities, and sustainable mobility. Organizers will explain unified scoring rules and the free prize draw before activities begin, with top performers receiving awards at the conclusion of the cycle.
Mobile Youth Hubs Bring Information Directly to Rural Parishes
The outreach model relies on bringing resources directly to rural areas where residents face greater barriers to accessing traditional youth programming. Renārs Manuilovs notes that the core philosophy rejects the idea of waiting for youth to search for European programs on their own.
Visitors can also converse directly with “Eurodesk” volunteers from the “Jaunatne smaidam” information point, asking questions in an informal setting inside the mobile youth center while enjoying complimentary tea, coffee, and snacks. The local Bauska district events are organized by the local “Eurodesk” information point in cooperation with the Zemgale regional coordinator, the association “Laiks jauniešiem.”
Expert Insight: Bringing mobile youth centers directly into rural parishes addresses the persistent participation gap often seen in centralized national programs, lowering logistical thresholds for teenagers and young adults who might otherwise remain isolated from international grants and networks.
Broader Campaign Context Across Latvia
The weekend roadshow forms part of the wider “Time to Move” campaign running throughout October across Latvia, featuring more than 25 separate events coordinated by the Youth International Programs Agency (JSPA) and Eurodesk networks.
Parallel online initiatives run concurrently, including an international Eurodesk design contest centered on the theme “Friendship across Europe” for participants aged 18 to 30, with prizes including Interrail train passes. Eurodesk publishes weekly English-language podcasts every Thursday in October covering European volunteering experiences.
Find Details on Roadshow Eligibility and Prizes
Who is eligible to participate in the Time to Move Roadshow activities?
Young people aged 13 to 30 are invited to join the interactive activities, quizzes, and challenges at all roadshow stops.
What organizations are organizing the Bauska district roadshow?
The events are organized by the “Jaunatne smaidam” Eurodesk information point in cooperation with the Zemgale regional coordinator, the association “Laiks jauniešiem.”
What can participants win during the roadshow stops?
Participants can accumulate points to compete for awards given to the most successful attendees, alongside entry into a free prize draw held after the activity cycle.
How will local youth in rural parishes respond to mobile information centers coming directly to their town squares?
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