Connecting with the Changemakers of Riga

As part of “Find Your Tribe” in Riga, participants had the opportunity to step beyond the project environment and connect directly with organizations that are actively shaping stronger, more inclusive communities across Latvia. The NGO Fair became a space where ideas, experiences, and real-world community action came together under one roof.

Throughout the day, participants met inspiring local organizations working in the fields of youth engagement, social inclusion, cultural exchange, and community development. More than simple presentations, these meetings offered honest conversations about the realities of community work, the challenges organizations face, and the impact they create through local and international initiatives.

Among the organizations joining the NGO Fair was Ar pasaules pieredzi Latvijā, an organization supporting integration and cultural exchange between local and international communities. Participants explored how intercultural dialogue can strengthen understanding, reduce social barriers, and help people from different backgrounds feel welcomed and connected within society.

We were also joined by Rīgas jauniešu centrs Kaņieris, a youth center creating opportunities, activities, and supportive spaces for young people in Riga. Through their presentation, participants discovered how local youth centers can become powerful community hubs where young people find support, creativity, belonging, and opportunities for personal growth.

Another important contributor was Latvijas Sociālās Uzņēmējdarbības Asociācija, which introduced participants to the world of social entrepreneurship and community-oriented innovation. Discussions focused on how businesses and social initiatives can work together to create positive social impact while remaining sustainable and community-driven.

Participants also met NGO Inspiria, a youth organization actively working on social inclusion, youth participation, and community engagement. Their experiences demonstrated how non-formal education and youth-led initiatives can empower young people to become active contributors within their local communities.

The NGO Fair provided participants with much more than information. It offered practical insight into how local organizations operate, how community initiatives are developed, and how international cooperation can strengthen social impact. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas, build professional connections, and reflect on how they themselves could become more active in community work, volunteering, and youth initiatives after returning home.

For many participants, the experience became a source of motivation and inspiration. Seeing passionate people working directly with communities helped transform abstract ideas about “social impact” into something real, achievable, and human-centered.

What did participants gain from the NGO Fair?

• Practical understanding of how local NGOs and youth organizations operate

• Inspiration from professionals actively working in community development

• Networking experience in an international and real-world setting

• New ideas for volunteering, youth initiatives, and future collaborations

One of the strongest messages of the day was simple but powerful: meaningful change always begins with people willing to care about their communities.

We are deeply grateful to all the organizations who joined us, shared their experiences, and contributed to the learning journey of our participants.

The views and actions expressed in this project and in this publication are solely those of the beneficiary organization and the project partners, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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