In the framework of project LLI-402 “risk-free” specialists from Latvia and Lithuania working with at-risk children and youth gathered for three 2-days sessions to exchange their experience and learn new methods for their everyday work. Two sessions were organized in Latvia – Daugavpils and Krāslava – and one in Lithuania (Visaginas).

The aim of these sessions was to raise competence of participants in working with and better understanding this specific target group, as well as to create network for cross-border exchange of information and best practice.

In these sessions, mixed Latvian-Lithuanian 20 people group of social workers, youth affairs specialists, psychologists, sport trainers and representatives of local youth organizations and societies learned informal educational methods and discussed such topics as emotional intelligence, communication and motivation of at-risk children and youth for involvement in health-enhancing physical activities. They participated in team building exercises, demonstrations of bonding exercises, participants acted out possible conflict or problem situations and tried to get solutions for tasks that at first seemed impossible to solve.

Participants gained knowledge about open youth work principles and methods, learned ways, how to use sport methods to involve more at-risk children and youth and how to use each individual’s abilities and interests to ensure more qualitative communication and long-term engagement.

Specialists, who work with at-risk groups, were asked to put themselves in the shoes of the target group and to think about stereotypes and prejudices, which can create difficulties in communication and understanding of the target group. Working individually and in groups, participants created detailed plan, how to provide support for specific person from at-risk group using sport activities.

To learn about activities and possibilities for children and youth in the region, in Visaginas (Lithuania) participants visited children day care centre and open space area for youth in Visaginas’ sport centre, but on the last session in Krāslava (Latvia) participants visited local swimming pool, multifunctional sport centre and technical school.

Part of these sessions was dedicated for generation of ideas for future collaboration and joint projects in the region. Participants elaborated project drafts for organizing events for not only at-risk children and youth, but also for people, who works with this target group.

It was highlighted that education and training of people, who work with at-risk children and youth, is fundamental and it means self-growth and self-consciousness of specialists, who can inspire and motivate children and youth in making their dreams come true.