Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Society

The government also decided that additional funding necessary for the Youth Guard Development Program for 2016 and the coming years would be considered by the Cabinet of Ministers together with all the ministries' proposals for new policy initiatives.

EUR 8,705,153 will be necessary for the coming three years to provide the Youth Guard with equipment, organize exercises, and cover personnel costs.

The Defense Ministry will have to report the Cabinet of Ministers on measures for the development of the Youth Guard by June 1, 2017.

The long-term goal is to have Youth Guard instructor positions in every municipality, thus, enabling up to 16,000 youth to join the Youth Guard movement.

The number of Youth Guard instructors is insufficient at the moment. Furthermore, the Youth Guard lacks the necessary equipment – uniforms, footwear, and other inventory.

The five main objectives of the Youth Guard movement are: to increase the youth's interest in military service, facilitate patriotic education, popularize a healthy lifestyle, reduce social risks, and to organize meaningful free time for young people.