Winners European Youth Awards 2005

Category 3 : Youth Information

LITHUANIA 

Description: The group of youngsters involved in this project created a Youth Bus in their home town of Klaipeda . The bus is part of the town’s normal public transportation system and has a route like normal buses, but it has a hi-fi system and stands with information targeting young people in the city about youth organisations, occupations and different events and activities. It is painted in graffiti style with pictures of the hometown.

Results: In order to bring their idea to life the group learned a lot from working together to develop a common idea. They presented their interest to local authorities, planned activities, made agreements and decisions, solved problems and conflicts that occurred, and took responsibility for their action. The bus is an attractive way of spreading information about NGOs, youth occupation fields and different support programmes and promotes the active participation and citizenship of young people, their self-expression and subcultures. Originally the project was meant to last for 3-4 months but the municipality of Klaipeda has extended the project until the bus breaks down.