The Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the State Probation Service (SPS), is launching the campaign “Change Starts Together” as part of the project “Support for the Social Reintegration of Probation Clients”, co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The campaign encourages people to recognise children and young people experiencing difficulties at an early stage and to avoid turning a blind eye. As part of the campaign, a new digital educational resource has also been developed for students in Years 10–12, helping schools initiate discussions with young people about belonging, peer pressure, mistakes, responsibility and the possibility of change.
Skipping school, conflicts, social exclusion, aggressive behaviour or sudden changes in a young person’s behaviour are often much more than just “bad behaviour”. They may indicate that a young person is experiencing difficulties at home, at school or among their peers, feels lonely or misunderstood, or is searching for a place where they can feel a sense of belonging. The Ministry of Justice and the SPS encourage people to look beyond labels such as “bad behaviour” and try to understand what has happened and whether the young person needs support.
Children and young people account for more than one fifth of all SPS clients, and the Service works with approximately 4,000 children and young people across Latvia each year. In May 2026, 16% of SPS clients aged under 25 were between 11 and 17 years old, while 84% were young adults aged 18–25.
The SPS’s experience shows that there is no single “typical” profile of a young person who comes into contact with the probation service. This can happen even to a young person from a supportive family and a positive social environment. Young people’s choices are influenced by relationships at home and at school, their peers, their surroundings and the particular characteristics of adolescent development. Understanding these circumstances does not mean excusing harmful behaviour; rather, it helps identify the support a young person needs.
Not every adult needs to know how to solve a young person’s difficulties. However, a teacher, coach, family member or another person in their community can notice the warning signs, avoid making an immediate judgement and ask: “What has happened?”
“Committing an offence does not define a young person’s identity, and one mistake does not determine their future. When a young person comes to our attention, they must take responsibility for their actions. However, it is equally important to understand what led to those actions and what is needed to prevent them from happening again. Our task is to help young people see what they can do differently and build a life in which offending does not recur,” emphasises Krista Mozere, Head of the Probation Programmes Unit of the State Probation Service’s Social Reintegration Department.
Starting the Conversation at School – Before a Problem Becomes an Offence
To encourage discussions about young people’s choices, peer influence and responsibility before they come into contact with law enforcement authorities, a digital educational resource has been developed for students in Years 10–12, for use in social studies and class tutor lessons.
The resource consists of videos and practical worksheets, bringing together three perspectives. Child and adolescent psychiatrist Ņikita Bezborodovs explains the characteristics of adolescent development and the factors that influence decision-making. Evita Haritoviča, an SPS specialist, discusses working with young people and the social reintegration process. Meanwhile, the real-life account of an SPS client offers insight into how mistakes and the process of change unfold in one person’s life.
“During adolescence, the need to belong to a peer group, emotions and the desire for immediate rewards can significantly influence decision-making. Knowledge of adolescent development helps us understand the reasons behind a young person’s behaviour without removing their responsibility for its consequences. A sense of belonging and having at least one adult who genuinely cares can serve as important protective factors,” says child and adolescent psychiatrist Ņikita Bezborodovs.
Through practical exercises and classroom discussions, students will explore different real-life situations, examine stereotypes about young people who have come into conflict with the law, assess the influence of peers and others around them, and reflect on how they might respond when someone in their community is experiencing difficulties. They will also consider the role of bystanders – people who notice what is happening but choose to remain on the sidelines.
The educational resource was developed in cooperation with a social studies teacher and alumna of the Iespējamā misija foundation. It is available on the Iespējamā misija platform:
https://www.iespejamamisija.lv/dziveigatavs
To mark the launch of the campaign, students in Year 10 at Riga Nordic Gymnasium will be the first to use the educational resource.
The “Change Starts Together” campaign is supported by the NGO STREETBASKET, the non-governmental organisation MOT Latvia and the company Bērnu un pusaudžu resursu centrs (Children and Adolescent Resource Centre).
