KiTAIP

Creative Youth Information Award category

Organisation

Rokiskio jaunimo centras

Country

Lithuania

WEBSITE

https://linktr.ee/rokiskiojc

Project link

General Overview

In the small town of Rokiskis, located in Lithuania, a group of young people realised that they needed to take charge of creating meaningful and engaging leisure activities for themselves. Determined to make a change, they decided to develop and implement a project that would not only provide entertainment but also empower them with valuable skills and knowledge. However, this required significant effort—gathering information, acquiring the necessary “know-how”, and building the confidence to take action.

One of the project’s most remarkable achievements was the formation of a fire juggling group, reviving this tradition while introducing modern and safe elements like LED juggling. Through this and other creative activities, participants learned not only new skills but also where to seek information and support on issues and opportunities that mattered to them.

The project also led to the creation of a partnership network, strengthening connections between informal youth groups and organisations. This collaboration culminated in the organisation of International Youth Day, where young people, with the support of partner organisations, had the opportunity to perform in an elderly care home, bringing joy to the community while showcasing their newly developed skills.

Eurodesk played a crucial role in this process, ensuring that youth information was accessible throughout the project. Informational banners, marked locations, and active involvement from youth workers helped participants discover opportunities for volunteering, funding, and further engagement.

By blending creativity with community spirit, this project not only revived fire juggling traditions but also empowered young people to take initiative, build partnerships, and actively shape their local environment. This project contributed to fostering a more positive community perception of youth who may be limited by fewer opportunities, showing that their ideas bring value.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

This initiative aligns with the Creative Youth Information thematic category by encouraging young people to take the lead in shaping engaging and unconventional leisure activities for their peers. The project specifically targeted young people aged 12-25 with fewer opportunities, empowering them through innovative, hands-on experiences. The project’s main goal was to inspire youth to be proactive in creating meaningful and inclusive activities. Participants engaged in unique workshops and interactive sessions, such as fire and LED juggling, upcycling juggling tools from recycled materials, an open-air pizza-making workshop, and an interactive quiz where participants popped balloons to answer youth information and consultation questions. Additionally, a design workshop encouraged creative expression by revamping clothing with textile paints, giving garments a second life.

Through these engaging activities, young people introduced their peers to various opportunities, including volunteering organisations, informal youth groups, invitations to youth-led initiatives, and funding options for youth projects, with a particular focus on those with fewer opportunities. The project was youth-led, with educator support, ensuring the use of diverse non-formal learning methods to enhance participation and impact. To ensure Eurodesk visibility, Eurodesk banners were displayed, and the locations where activities took place were marked with Eurodesk signs. Additionally, a youth worker responsible for youth information and consultation was actively involved throughout the project, providing relevant information during activities. This approach not only increased awareness of youth opportunities but also strengthened Eurodesk’s presence within the community.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

Our project had a transformative impact on both young people and the local community, creating lasting change beyond the initial activities. By empowering youth to take initiative, it demonstrated that young people—regardless of their background or location—can shape their own meaningful and engaging leisure activities. One of the most significant impacts was the widespread dissemination of information about youth opportunities. Through fire juggling performances and educational workshops, young people not only developed new skills but also learned about volunteering, funding, and youth-led initiatives.

The project reached a broad audience, with over 20 performances open to the public, making youth-driven initiatives visible and accessible. The project also led to the growth of youth participation. More than 10 new active members joined the informal juggling group, and other informal groups, such as DJs and volunteers, were inspired to form their own initiatives. This showed young people that living in a small town does not limit their potential to create and lead projects.

Beyond activities, the project played a crucial role in building essential life skills. Participants engaged in training sessions that helped them develop personal responsibility, teamwork, leadership, and event organisation skills. As a result, two informal youth groups successfully submitted Solidarity Corps applications, and a new volunteer group secured funding from a non-governmental organisation to continue their initiatives.

The community’s perception of youth also shifted positively. The project challenged stereotypes about young people with fewer opportunities, highlighting that their creativity and dedication bring value and enrichment to the local environment. More young people now know where to seek information, how to access support, and how to take action on issues they care about. Ultimately, the project paved the way for a more engaged, informed, and self-reliant youth community, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

Yes, our project had a strong eco-friendly focus and incorporated several sustainable practices. A key aspect was giving materials a second life—juggling training tools were made from recycled materials, and used tennis balls unsuitable for sports were repurposed for juggling, later doubling as toys for visiting dogs. To minimise environmental impact, we prioritised local resources. If food was needed, it was sourced exclusively from local suppliers, reducing transportation emissions. Due to the lack of public transport, participants practised carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

We also reduced paper waste by moving activity planning and organisation to digital platforms. When materials were needed, participants’ siblings donated unused markers, pencils, and paper, while staff contributed cardboard from household appliance packaging for making training tools. Additionally, we collaborated with a zero-waste group to exchange items instead of buying new ones.