Krimuldas Evangelical Lutheran Church this fall started implementing an international project, in which they will develop a training program for specialists involved in working with young people in order to develop leadership skills, self-confidence, self-motivation, responsibility and a sense of belonging to one of the social groups in young people. In cooperation with the project partners – the Scout Society of Romania and the San Gabriel School in the Spanish city of Zaragoza – it is planned not only to develop a curriculum with teaching materials and a thematic plan in the amount of 39 lesson plans, but also to test it to make sure its fitness for purpose. In the Krimulda congregation, youth training is planned in weekly Sunday school classes from March next year.

Sandija Zalupe, the author and leader of the project idea, a member of the Krimulda congregation council, states that the need for this type of youth training was created by the “moving” of their social life to social networks, the lack of face-to-face contact with peers and society in general, loss of motivation and apathy in the shadow of Covid-19. “This has created a gap in the relationships and cooperation between teenagers and at the same time hinders their development as individuals. Therefore, young people should be encouraged to be active, open, show initiative and get involved in the processes of social life,” emphasizes S. Zalupe.

The curriculum is intended for young people aged 13 to 15 years. The content of training for the development of personal and social skills of teenagers will be based on basic Christian values, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trust, gentleness and self-control, and are an integral part of the formation of human personality.

The developed curriculum will serve as support for educators and other specialists who work with young people in areas such as education, religion, culture and more. It will be freely available in the digital environment in Latvian, Spanish, Romanian and English.

The project is co-financed by the European Union. It is implemented in the “Erasmus+” program in cooperation with the Agency for International Youth Programs and will last almost a year and a half.

“The project “Mobile Program for Youth Learners” is financed with the support of European Commission’s programm “Erasmus+”. This publication reflects only the author’s views, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained there in.”