Youth Capital Klaipeda kicks off 2021

A new year, a new European Youth Capital! The winner of the European Youth Capital title for 2021 is Klaipeda, in Lithuania, and they are getting ready to launch their exciting programme.

Klaipeda will celebrate the start of its Youth Capital title with an opening ceremony, which will be broadcasted on 11 March, via Facebook, YouTube, and the online TV platform (www.lrt.lt). English subtitles and sign language will be available.

The Lithuanian city was awarded the European Youth Capital title at the 2018 Award Ceremony in Novi Sad, EYC 2019, and has worked on the preparation of its programme consisting of nine platforms. It presents young people's ideas, challenges and problems, such as weak political activism, an ageing city, the avoidance of “inconvenient” topics, and the lack of an environment which would foster entrepreneurship and creativity.

Almost 70 events are planned in the city for 2021, with the participation of more than 70 organisations, and 133 youth ambassadors from Europe and beyond.

To discover more about the full programme, and find ways to get involved, we invite you to check out the press release by Klaipeda EYC 2021.

You can follow Klaipeda on social media with the hashtag #chooseklaipeda

Commenting on what the European Youth Capital title means to Klaipeda, Vytautas Grubliauskas, the Mayor of Klaipėda, said:

Young people, their thoughts and ideas are the driving force behind every city. As long as young, energetic people care about their city, every city has a bright future. I would like to thank the youth of Klaipėda, all the ambassadors and friends of the project, whose insightful view not only of the advantages of Klaipėda, but also of sensitive topics, brought this honorable title to the city. I believe that together we can give Klaipėda an even bigger youthful drive. This year, let Klaipėda become an exceptionally open city that hears and listens, and in which people of all cultures, views and groups feel good.