For municipalities
In 2010, the MARTA Center established Youth Programs and began long-term work with young people with the goal of challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes, critically analyzing their connection to violence in society, thus reducing the risk of young people experiencing violence or becoming victims of human trafficking.
A culture-specific Youth Group Methodology was created and piloted between 2015 and 2020. This methodology is unique in that young people from all over Latvia were actively involved in its creation, thus highlighting and updating topics that young people see as relevant and important at this age.
Research on the impact of the Youth Group Method shows that youth group participants have significantly increased their self-confidence and sense of belonging to the group and community. Young people's abilities to critically analyze situations and stand up against violence and injustice in a safe way have been developed.
As a result of group activities, young people have improved their ability to make responsible and informed decisions about their emotional, mental and physical health, as well as to establish and maintain healthy, respectful relationships with their peers, teachers, parents and themselves. This Youth Group methodology has proven itself as an important educational tool in the Latvian context, and its goals, structure and activities are also disseminated internationally.
The methodology program is implemented in the municipality by specially trained specialists – youth group leaders. Group leaders can be specialists whose daily work target audience is adolescents aged 12 to 18 – youth workers and youth affairs specialists, social workers, psychologists, educators, social educators, youth leaders, etc.
Program implementation procedures
The municipality wishes to implement the youth group methodology program. Its representatives contact the MARTA Center, discuss their intention and commitment to become an implementer of the youth group methodology program, and select the desired implementation plan.
The MARTA Center enters into an agreement with the municipality for the implementation of the program.
The municipality covers the first year's implementation fee - tuition fees and the fee for using methodological support. Total 3,000 EUR or 6,000 EUR.
The municipality nominates a representative responsible for implementing the program in its territory. The representative participates in a discussion about the program implementation organized by the MARTA Center.
A representative of the local government coordinates and selects the most appropriate program participants.
First year of the program
Program participants participate in 3-day training, receive methodological materials and certificate No. 1 for completing the program.
Trained group leaders implement all 17 lessons of the methodology for at least one group of youth in their municipality.
Group leaders participate in support activities provided by the MARTA Center during the implementation of the program, in accordance with the implementation plan chosen by the municipality:
Plan A: 2 additional meetings at the beginning of the group implementation, conference/forum for group leaders.
Plan B: 2 additional meetings at the beginning of the group implementation, regular online group meetings once a month, individual support, conference/forum for group leaders.
After the first group of young people has completed the program, they receive Certificate No. 2 for the implementation of the program.
Next year of the program or “subscription”
After the first year, the municipality becomes an annual subscriber to the program. An annual subscription fee of 1,500 EUR or 3,000 EUR is paid.
As part of the subscription, the MARTA Center provides annual support for:
Provides new materials that update and supplement the issues covered in the methodology.
Organize an online conference/forum for group leaders to improve their competencies and exchange experiences.
Provides the opportunity for informal networking on a monitored platform – Whatsapp/Facebook.
Provides regular online group counseling and individual consultation to resolve complex issues (Plan B).
Ensures measurement of the impact of program implementation.
Conduct refresher training for group leaders every 3 years (Plan B).
For more information and to apply, please write to prevencija@marta.lv