Kopienas iedzīvotāju līdzdalība kā sociālās saliedētības prakse: līdzdalību sekmējošie un kavējošie faktori

To study social cohesion at the community level and to understand how it manifests in people’s daily lives – such as in urban courtyards, parks, streets, and among neighbors – three “cohesion laboratories” were organized in the Čiekurkalns neighborhood in Riga, the Jaunliepāja neighborhood in Liepāja, and in the municipality of Gulbene. By assisting community activists in organizing cultural events, cooperation among community members was encouraged, while participatory observation was conducted throughout these processes. Between February 20, 2024, and February 28, 2025, a total of 72 observations were carried out: 29 in Čiekurkalns (Riga), 17 in Jaunliepāja (Liepāja), and 26 in Gulbene municipality. The study analyzed how residents of these neighborhoods collaborate in their daily lives, the role of public spaces (libraries, cultural centers, community initiative hubs) in these processes, and the impact of local cultural events, grassroots initiatives, and neighborly interactions. The observations aimed both to document the existing situation and to track the emergence of new connections and activities during the study period, assessing contributing factors and identifying potential obstacles. The findings confirm that participation in community activities reduces alienation among residents by strengthening social bonds between active community members. Cultural initiatives can play a crucial role in reinforcing local communities, although their impact depends on various contextual factors, including internal community resources, the availability of infrastructure, and residents’ sense of attachment to a particular place.