The Training of NGO Leaders Takes Place at the End of August (2)

Association „Balta maja”
31 August 2015

The Training of NGO Leaders Takes Place at the End ofAugust

The implementation of the Association’s “Balta maja” project “Experience and Knowledge for the Integration of Minorities into the Latvian Society” (Project’s contract identification number:2013.EEZ/PP/2/MAC/035/050) continues. The project is supported by the European Economic area financial mechanism 2009 – 2014 period program’s “NGO fond” sub-programme “NGO project program”.

Within the project on 31st August in Jekabpils there was training for NGO leaders of minorities which was led by Inguna Badune who is the director of the association “Balta maja” in Livani and the head of the project “The association’s “Balta maja” experience and expertise in the integration ofminoritiesinto Latvian society” . The project coordinatorsandleadersfromfourcooperation cities in Latgale, i.e. from theassociation “Uzori” (Livani), Belarusiancultural and educational association “Uzdim” (Daugavpils), Rezekne city association- the theatre studio “Joriks” (Rezekne) met inhome of the Ukrainiancultural educationassociation “Javir” in Jekabpils to extendboth theoretical andpractical knowledge andskills and to sharethe accumulatedexperience about the topical theme in all associations – “The attraction of members and the work withvolunteers”.

In the introduction of training the project coordinators andactivistssaida lotofwords about the experience exchange trip to Liepaja in July. The gained knowledge and experience in relation tothe work ofthe association, the opportunities for promoting the cooperation as well as the examples of good practice had remainedvividin memory. During the training process the participants gainedbothextensivetheoretical knowledgewith regard to themotivation, coordination andthe employment of volunteers in the association as well as trainedanddevelopedpractical skillsin buildingsuccessfulcommunication,cooperation, looking for innovative approaches towork withvolunteers and the current andfuturemembers.

Also, within the framework of the training program there was a meeting with Jekabpils associationof pensioners “Sasaiste”, JēkabpilsBelarusianassociation “Spatkanne” and the association “Daugavas Vanagi in Latvia in Jekabpils” whose representativesspoke about the work and cooperation with the volunteers of their associations and the active involvement of members in the development of the associations. After the training the project participants were pleased with theacquired knowledge andexperience gained in the intensivetrainingprocess.

In turn, very soon, alreadyat the end ofOctober in Rezekne there will be held a joint theatre festival in Latvian spirit: “The integration stage” where the activists from minority associations will showtheir staged and cherishedtheatre performances, which will be closely connected with theLatvianculture,folklore andmentality. It will be a possibility for the members of minority groups to play the role of famous heroes from Latvianliterary anddramaworks. Such performances and expression through artand language will contribute to the integration process of minorities.

The association activists have already intensivelyand creativelystarted workingat the artisticdecoration of theatre plays. Initially it seemed like a challenge but, as recognized by theparticipants, the rehearsals are accompanied bycreativity, cognition and joy. The members of the associations, who are already talented actors, are happy and look forward tothe joint“Integration stage“!

Let the premiers of the new actors be successful and promote the creativity, so that it would be another impetusfor new andboldvictories! The association “Balta maja” wishes its leaders and activists to experience the richness of autumn both in work andideas!