Armed conflicts, the climate crisis, disinformation, inequality and democratic backsliding affect people’s security, opportunities and participation, including in Latvia. Understanding human rights helps us not only to recognise these threats, but also to identify our own responsibility and opportunities to act. From 1 March 2026, Baltic Human Rights Society (BHRS) is implementing a new project in which young people themselves will research, write about and explain these issues through the Cilvēktiesības.info platform.
Connecting global developments with life in Latvia
People encounter an enormous amount of information every day, yet it is not always easy to see how global developments relate to human rights or what they mean for Latvia. The project “Cilvēktiesības.info – Youth Civic Participation for Strengthening Global Human Rights Awareness in Latvia” will build a bridge between global processes and local experience. It runs from 1 March to 30 November 2026 and is co-funded by the European Union’s DEAR programme under the “Connect for Global Change” initiative, through the “LAPAS savieno” activity administered in Latvia by LAPAS.
The publications prepared during the project will explain how human rights work in practice: how armed conflicts affect civilians, what pressure on the media and civil society means for democracy, how climate change is connected with social justice, and how disinformation shapes people’s ability to make informed decisions.
Young people as contributors, not only readers
Participation is at the core of the project. Young people - students and early-career professionals will select topics, assess sources, prepare analytical and explanatory articles, and interview human rights professionals under the guidance of experienced editors and experts.
This work will enable young people to apply their academic knowledge in practice, develop research and communication skills, and contribute to public education. At least 45 original articles are planned for publication during the project.
Experience from countries where the challenges are immediate
A dedicated series of articles and interviews will feature the experience of BHRS partner organisations in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Armenia. Human rights defenders in these countries work amid war, political pressure, disinformation and democratic decline. Their perspectives will help readers in Latvia understand how global threats affect real people, communities and institutions.
The annual youth writing competition organised in cooperation with the Ombudsman’s Office will also widen the circle of contributors and bring new voices into the human rights debate.
A platform for knowledge and participation
Cilvēktiesības.info operates since 2018, publishing news, analytical articles, interviews and opinions on human rights and democracy issues relevant to Latvia. The new project will deepen the platform’s global focus while maintaining a clear connection with the interests and experience of audiences in Latvia.
The content produced during the project will remain freely accessible after the project ends, creating a lasting knowledge resource for students, professionals and anyone wishing to understand world events through a human rights perspective.
This publication has been co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Baltic Human Rights Society and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
The project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented under the “LAPAS savieno” activity of the “Connect for Global Change” initiative, administered in Latvia by the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS).