How does a vibrant night-time city come to life? What makes it possible for live music venues to thrive and for events to be not only exciting but also safe? These were some of the questions explored with participants of The Next Crew, a cultural mentorship programme for young people interested in the creative industries.
The programme, organised by Lukiškės Prison 2.0, Estrada and Kablys, introduces young people to the many professions and processes behind cultural events. As part of the programme, participants meet professionals from across the sector, and one of the sessions was dedicated to Vilnius’ night-time economy and event safety.
During the first part of the session, Laura Vaišnorė, Director of the Vilnius Night Office, and Project Manager Gabija Liaugminaitė introduced participants to the city’s night-time economy and explained why nightlife is about much more than clubs and parties. The presentation covered the work of the Vilnius Night Office, the city’s initiatives to support nightlife, the Grassroots Music Venues Network, the role of culture in the night-time economy, and the qualities that make Vilnius’ nightlife stand out in the European context. Participants also learned how the city addresses issues such as noise management, public safety and balancing the needs of residents, businesses and visitors in order to create a vibrant and sustainable night-time environment.
The second part of the session focused on nightlife safety and was led by Emilija Gaidytė, Project Manager at the Vilnius Night Office. Based on the recommendations of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), the workshop explored harm reduction principles, the role of venue staff in creating safer environments, and practical responses to situations that can arise during events—from assisting intoxicated visitors to responding to cases of sexual harassment or suspected drink spiking. Participants worked through real-life scenarios and discussed how organisers and event teams should respond in each situation.
The Vilnius Night Office thanks The Next Crew for the opportunity to contribute to the mentorship programme. We believe that a strong cultural scene is built on knowledge, collaboration and people who understand that a successful event is about much more than the programme itself—it is also about creating an environment where everyone can enjoy culture safely and responsibly.
