Ventspils city and district authorities will offer free lectures and workshops to young people starting in March, addressing mental health and the importance of a balanced diet. The initiative, funded by the European Social Fund Plus project No. 4.1.2.2/1/24/I/005, aims to bolster the emotional resilience of youth and promote understanding of healthy living.
The sessions will cover topics including recognizing the signs of depression, strategies for communicating with those struggling emotionally, and discussions on loneliness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the role of emotions in daily life. Participants will as well learn about the fundamental principles of healthy nutrition and its impact on sleep, energy levels, mood, and stress management. Practical exercises will involve analyzing various scenarios, fostering empathy, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.
The schedule for the workshops is as follows: March 3rd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Puzes Primary School; March 17th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Tārgales Primary School; March 31st from 12:15 PM to 3:15 PM at the Youth House, located at Kuldīgas Street 13 in Ventspils; and April 14th from 12:15 PM to 3:15 PM, also at the Youth House on Kuldīgas Street.
The lectures will be led by Gundars Kuklis, a family doctor. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required by calling +366 01269 (Agnese).
This year’s lecture series builds on previous educational initiatives for young people in Ventspils, which have included free sessions on sexual and reproductive health, as well as addiction prevention and reduction. According to Ventspils city authorities, a project focused on improving household waste sorting was completed in February, receiving €277,392.37 in funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund. The total eligible costs for the project were €326,343.96, with a private contribution of €48,951.59.
The European Union’s Recovery Fund, which provided funding for the construction of the first electric vehicle charging stations in Ventspils in July 2024, will remain available for funding until August 31, 2026. The fund prioritizes investments in areas such as strengthening the rule of law (with 2% of funds, or €37 million allocated), and supporting the transition to a green and digital economy, as well as mitigating the social and economic impacts of crises.
