Place: Smiltene, Smiltene Municipality, Latvia
Timeframe: Short term (summer 2025)
Participants: Artist Viktorija Zeme collaborated with 14 young people from Smiltene municipality aged 11 to 19 to create a colorful mural on a wooden hub in the “Smiltiņš” active recreation park.
Goal: The aim was to engage local youth in cultural and creative initiatives, foster a sense of ownership and pride in their public spaces, and strengthen community ties by involving residents in a visible, collaborative art project.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In Smiltene, a project was implemented to engage young people in the development of public space, using art as a tool for participation and self-expression. The initiative gave young people the opportunity not only to share their perspectives on their surroundings, but also to actively contribute to shaping the urban space, strengthening their sense of belonging to the local community.
Throughout the project, young people were encouraged to see public space as safe, inclusive and inspiring. Through creative workshops and collaborative activities, they worked alongside artists and project facilitators, developing both creative skills and an understanding of teamwork and civic participation. In addition to painting a colorful mural on the wooden hub, participants attended valuable lectures on environmental sustainability and collaboratively designed and created stickers to promote awareness and engagement in the local community. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that young people’s ideas were genuinely heard and implemented.
The project fostered youth participation in local community processes, stimulated interest in urban development, and reinforced the idea that everyone can be an agent of change. At the same time, it demonstrated how culture and art can serve as effective tools for youth engagement and for building social resilience.
WHY IT WAS A SUCCES
The project’s success resulted from the strong collaboration between the municipality, young people and cultural sector professionals, which created a solid foundation for future initiatives and long-term impact. By giving young people space for creative expression and shared responsibility, the project not only transformed a public space but also fostered a sense of ownership, pride, and belonging among participants.
Feedback from the young participants highlighted that they valued being genuinely listened to, having their ideas implemented, and working together in a supportive, collaborative environment. They also appreciated the opportunity to attend valuable lectures on environmental sustainability and to collaboratively design and create stickers, which enriched their learning and strengthened their connection to the community. Participants reported increased confidence in their creative abilities and a stronger interest in engaging with their local area.
The project demonstrates that art, combined with educational activities, can be an effective tool for youth engagement, for building social cohesion and for creating more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.) Ensure continued dialogue between young people and decision-makers.
2.) Offer more opportunities for hands-on creative projects.
3.) Integrate such activities into broader urban development plans.