The experience exchange visit “Unlocking NGO Potential in Liepāja” demonstrated that close cooperation between non-governmental organisations, local authorities and communities is a key driver of sustainable development, youth engagement and the strengthening of social initiatives.
On 20 March 2026, within the framework of the INTERREG project “Capacity building and internationalization of NGO activities in Liepāja city and Klaipeda district” (NGO Capacity), 20 participants representing project partners, municipal institutions and NGO-related stakeholders from Klaipėda District visited Liepāja. The visit opened at Liepāja City Council, where guests were welcomed by the Vice-Mayor Mr. Jānis Džeriņš. During the programme, the Klaipėda delegation met with representatives of civil society organisations across various sectors, including House of Hope, JaunLiepāja, Liepāja Residencies and Culture Centre, Impact Hub, and Development Platform YOU+.
Beyond offering practical insights and inspiration, the visit underscored the importance of trust, partnership and targeted support in fostering NGO development. The knowledge gained will support continued cooperation, knowledge transfer and the development of new community-based initiatives.
To assess the quality, relevance and overall impact of the visit, participants completed a survey at the end of the programme. The feedback focused on organisation, programme content, the usefulness of presented practices and the learning experience. Results indicate a high level of satisfaction and an overwhelmingly positive evaluation. Participants particularly valued the well-structured programme, opportunities to visit local organisations and community centres, and the networking potential. The practical examples of cooperation between the Liepāja municipality and NGOs were also highlighted as especially useful. The feedback confirms that the visit successfully contributed to achieving the project’s objectives by strengthening knowledge exchange, promoting cross-border cooperation and providing practical inspiration for improving NGO support mechanisms and future incubation activities.
Key Insights on Cooperation, Youth Engagement and Community Development
Participants gained valuable insights into innovative cooperation models between NGOs and municipalities, emphasising the role of strong partnerships in building resilient and cohesive communities. One notable example was the creation of an open youth space in the centre of Liepāja, located on the ground floor of the concert hall “Lielais dzintars”. This initiative was recognised as a sign of trust in young people and a meaningful investment in their participation. Respondents also stressed how organisations within the community complement one another in addressing diverse youth needs. The visit further deepened understanding of NGO operations, social initiatives and community development potential. The experience at Impact Hub was particularly inspiring, showcasing a strategic approach to NGO support and highlighting the importance of incubation in sustainable community growth.
Applying Knowledge in Practice
Survey results show that participants clearly see opportunities to apply the knowledge gained in their daily work. Best practices from Liepāja—particularly in organising community meetings, strengthening municipal–NGO cooperation and supporting local initiatives—were considered highly valuable. Participants expressed readiness to share these practices within their own communities, foster stronger organisational cooperation and encourage broader youth involvement. Many also noted that the visit generated new ideas for project development, community activities and strengthening local collaboration networks.
Future Focus Areas
Participants identified several priority themes for future exchange activities, including social entrepreneurship, volunteer engagement, capacity building for smaller or less experienced NGOs, women-led organisations, and cooperation between local communities and youth organisations. There was also strong interest in developing practical skills such as social media management to enhance communication, improve outreach and attract new participants. Learning from successful community initiatives was likewise seen as highly beneficial. Overall, the results confirm that the exchange visit in Liepāja was valuable, inspiring and practically relevant, broadening participants’ perspectives while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, innovation and community engagement in the development of the NGO sector.
