The overall aim of the project was to empower young people from various backgrounds for civic engagement and non-profit leadership, and to foster inclusivity skills and cross-cultural collaboration among youth. The objectives of this project were: - To give the young people necessary knowledge and skills to initiate and sustain civil society movements, to establish and develop non-profit organisations. - To summarize and structure the knowledge and experience of our organisations when it comes to building and developing non-profit organisations in current reality to a condensed and simplified format: comprehensive guidelines, an interactive course or a series of practical checklists. - To boost civil activism and competence among a wider audience by "the ripple effect" thanks to broad promotion of the project as well as its results and examples, which includes sharing experience and promotion campaigns in social media. - To give possibilities for the young people from underrepresented, marginalized, or economically disadvantaged groups to have equal access to these learning opportunities.
In recent years, Europe has experienced profound societal shifts that have reshaped the conditions for civic engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation but also deepened social isolation and uncertainty, particularly among youth. Geopolitical and economic instability contributed to a shrinking democratic space. Youth organisations report reduced access to funding, heightened administrative demands, and limited opportunities to influence decision-making. Against this backdrop, the Non-Profit All-Inclusive (NoPAI) project was launched to empower young people in Sweden and Latvia - particularly those with fewer opportunities - with the tools, skills, and confidence to build resilient, inclusive civil society initiatives. With this project we addressed the following needs of youth: - Seeking to make an impact on their lives and society, despite the challenges and barriers they face. - Desire for connection and community. - Need for personal growth and development through exploration of their identities, values, and capabilities. By supporting the next generation of non-profit leaders, the project aimed to foster engagement, active participation in shaping a more democratic and just society.