Baltijas Reģionālais fonds
Brīvības gatve 204, LV-1039 Riga, Latvia
A practice of processes and methods
The Youth Studio “BaMbuss” aims to serve as a multifunctional, organic, attractive, and progressive space where young people can develop and enhance their skills through various activities, gain new experiences, and meaningfully spend their free time.
The ESC volunteering plays a vital role in achieving these objectives. Already for 10 years ESC volunteers bring fresh perspectives, diverse cultural backgrounds, and enthusiasm that enriches the local youth community. Their presence creates authentic opportunities for intercultural dialogue and language practice, as young people naturally engage with volunteers from different countries.
For the ESC volunteers themselves, this experience offers invaluable personal and professional development. They develop skills in youth work, project management, communication across cultures, and adaptability while contributing meaningfully to the local community. Many ESC volunteers discover their career paths through these experiences and build lasting international networks.
For the hosting organization and local youth, ESC volunteers serve as cultural ambassadors who inspire young people to think globally and consider their own mobility opportunities. The decade-long tradition of hosting international volunteers at BaMbuss has created a vibrant, internationally-minded community where diversity is celebrated and global citizenship is practiced daily.
This comprehensive approach creates an inclusive environment where young people can explore their interests, connect with peers, and prepare for future opportunities while benefiting from both local and international perspectives. The ESC volunteering component transforms BaMbuss from a local youth studio into a truly European space where solidarity, learning, and intercultural understanding flourish.
The participation of ESC volunteers in Youth Studio BaMbuss has had a significant positive impact on the local community, Latvian youth, and the international volunteers themselves, while strengthening our organisation considerably.
Local young people have not only acquired new knowledge and skills, but have also begun taking greater advantage of international opportunities offered by EU and other programs. New friendships have been formed that have opened doors to remarkable experiences. For example, one young Latvian woman has visited Georgia several times, and her friendship with an international volunteer led to opportunities to study and work in China.
International volunteers often arrive shy, unsure of their abilities, and with limited English proficiency, but after a year they return home confident, able to speak comfortably in front of audiences, skilled at leading activities, and ready to face life’s challenges with courage.
This practice has helped Baltic Regional fund to become as a hub for meaningful cross-cultural exchange and personal development.
Organisation and practice