YouthBank International News

<div class="page old_photo"> <article> <header style="background-image:url(/uploads/531062aeb2e92.jpg);"> <div class="box"> <div class="intro"> <h1>Organizing European seminars? Easy peasy: just follow the recipe!</h1> By Gundega Silina, Youth Coordinator, Latvia </div> </div> </header> <div class="main"> <div class="container"> Gundega Silina, Youth Coordinator at Valmiera Region Community Foundation, reflects on the value of thorough and efficient preparation following the first European YouthBank seminar in Latvia. <table><tbody><tr><td><img src="/uploads/531463951bf48.jpg">                                      </td><td>Gundega has been a youth coordinator at the Valmiera Region Community Foundation since 2009. By organizing a European seminar, YouthBank Latvia (also known as the Lab of Youth Ideas) aimed to gain knowledge and develop learning from other YouthBanks across Europe to improve its exisiting structure and develop effective and YouthBanks in Latvia.</td></tr></tbody></table>Looking back at a very successful YouthBank European seminar in Valmiera, Latvia in 2013 (October 5-10), I think we have cracked the recipe for organizing a medium to large-scale event where participants can share and gain essential learning without compromising on enthusiasm and enjoyment. These are the five main ingredients we have identified and would like to share with you.Ingredient 1- Target The main objective of the YouthBank European seminar was to share knowledge and competence from YouthBanks’ activities in different European countries during a 5-day seminar.Ingredient 2- Selection of participants You have to be clear about which countries and YouthBanks you want to invite. We invited participants from the EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Romania and Slovakia), from EU candidate country, Turkey and from countries in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (Armenia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine). We brought together 40 participants, and we are delighted that they all came to Latvia!Ingredient 3- Methodology In the seminar informal education methods were used. We offered a world café, energizers, discussions, informal presentations and many more activities. During the first days participants shared their theoretical and practical experience about YouthBank activities in their countries; amongst other topics they discussed impact and benefits of YouthBank work, grant-making, the YouthBank member profile and the development and positive aspects of the YouthBank International network.On the fourth day participants got involved in local philanthropic activities with Latvian YouthBank members and assisted them in resolving local issues. In multicultural groups, they worked on fundraising solutions for needs identified in Valmiera. The collected funds were allocated to local priority projects.<img src="/uploads/531465ee65979.JPG" style="width: 487px;"> Fundraising activity on the last day of the seminar: Latvian, Slovakian and Ukrainian YouthBank participants collect funds from local people in Valmiera. Ingredient 4- Place and time It was the first time Latvia hosted an international seminar for YouthBanks. This coincided with the 10th anniversary of community philanthropy in Latvia, including youth philanthropy. The Valmiera Region Community Foundation (VRCF) celebrated the event in style!Ingredient 5- Take a step back and learn This was the great experience for VRCF. Following the event we reflected on how many good things could be done for the city of Valmiera by solving local problems with very small funds. From this idea Latvian YouthBanks decided to organize their first Mini Project competition at the end of 2013. As a result we gave a €30 award to each of the 12 great ideas submitted by young people!Overall, this seminar showcased learnings and best practices from across Europe and allowed space and time for participants to network and build a strong European YouthBank network for future collaborations.For further information please contact:  Gundega Silina, Youth coordinator Valmiera Region Community Foundation Email: <a href="mailto:gundega.silina@vnf.lv">gundega.silina@vnf.lv</a>Blog and web: <a href="http://jilvalmiera.wordpress.com/">http://jilvalmiera.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://www.vnf.lv/">http://www.vnf.lv</a>Cover photo - source: <a href="http://recipewise.co.uk/porter-cake">http://recipewise.co.uk/porter-cake</a> </div> </div> </article> </div>

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Issue 2