About Kanieris & Kalnciema studija

Youth centres KAŅIERIS and KALNCIEMA STUDIJA is the support for Riga’s youth and youth organizations in the city.

 What are we doing?

We provide free-of-charge rooms/spaces and various resources for youth events and non-formal education activities.

We advise young people about the implementation of their initiatives, participation and opportunities in European programs (Erasmus+ youth exchanges, voluntary work in Europe, etc.).

We create trainings for improving the competences of those involved in work with youth.

We cooperate with schools, school authorities and other «players» in the field of youth.

Young people can visit and organize their own activities in our youth centres – workshops and talks on various topics (art, climate and environment, LGBTQ+, participation, travel, media literacy, cultural diversity, etc.), game and movie nights, project workshops, book clubs, sports activities etc.

About Department

Education, Culture and Sports Department of Riga Local Government (further – RVP IKSD) is a City of Riga municipal institution that handles matters related to pre-school, general and professional (Arts, Music and Sports) oriented education, culture, youth and sports. One of the functions of the RVP IKSD is to provide education for all children and youth residing within the administrative territory of the City of Riga and to ensure youth work and support of youth organizations and involvement of young people in decision-making. RVP IKSD oversees 101 general education schools with over 68 thousand students, as well as out-of-school and vocational education institutions. Department’s Youth division (including youth center KAŅIERIS) directly focuses on youth participation, and also provides quality free time activities and non-formal learning opportunities for youth. Riga Pupils’ council is also under the authority of RVP IKSD.

Some of the Youth division’s activities and responsibilities include:

– coordinating project grant agreements for local NGOs (such as camps, free time activities, capacity building, infrastructure etc.);

– providing free spaces and resources for youth and youth NGO activities and initiatives;

– assisting youth with their initiatives (financial support and mentoring);

– providing volunteering opportunities at the youth center;

– informational visits to schools and consulting about participation opportunities in Riga and Europe (KAŅIERIS is also a Eurodesk info point)

– training on various topics and improving life skills and competences of young people and youth workers;

– cooperation with other institutions and youth organizations;

– international projects and cooperation, etc.;

– for Pupils’ council: consultations, training, representation of pupils’ needs and interests to local lawmakers, supporting consultants of the pupils’ councils (incl., training, networking, consulting, etc.).