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My involvement in the “EDGE UP” project as an emotional support person, coach, and consultant was both an immensely valuable experience and a significant professional challenge.

Firstly, it was important to consider that a major part of the project’s target group in Latvia consisted of individuals who had arrived after evacuating from war zones or fleeing regions where they faced violence or threats to their lives due to dominant religious and/or political groups. As a result, it was necessary to account for manifestations of PTSD and associated risks to participants’ well-being. Secondly, the project participants represented various world regions, meaning we had to consider a broad range of religious, cultural, linguistic, and other differences. Language was a particularly significant factor, as some groups required up to two interpreters for rare languages simultaneously. The time required for interpretation also had to be factored into activity planning.

To better understand the specifics and potential “hidden pitfalls” of working with the project’s target groups, I consulted early on with experts from the MARTA Centre, representatives of the NGO “Tavi draugi,” and specialists from other organizations with extensive experience in this field. A surprising insight from colleagues was that traditional psychological support methods often had limited effectiveness when working with Ukrainian refugee groups, occasionally leading to clients withdrawing from further cooperation.

Based on the collected insights, as well as my own personal and professional experience, I developed a strategy for the two-day collaboration with EDGE UP participants. It consisted of four consecutive blocks:

1. Introduction and “ice-breaking” activities aimed at creating an emotionally safe environment for all group members. Depending on the group’s mood, methods included metaphorical associative cards, association games, team-building activities, and others that fostered an open and relaxed atmosphere. Each participant set personal goals for their involvement in the project.
2. Identifying and evaluating participants’ competencies, internal and external resources, strengths, and areas for development, with guidance on how to improve weak points and align with the Latvian labor market and economy in preparation for job interviews. Key topics included first impressions, communication with potential employers and colleagues, asking and answering questions, and showing interest without appearing tense. This block also included self-exploration methods (e.g., the Wheel of Life, SWOT analysis) and familiarization with online tools for labor market research and skill enhancement (e.g., ss.lv, gotaprofy.lv). Participants were also introduced to local business culture and etiquette compared to their own backgrounds. Special attention was given to participants’ entrepreneurial potential and private business development, encouraging economic independence and self-sufficiency. At the end of this block, participants set personal, professional, and project-related goals.
3. Practical training to build awareness of the unity and importance of physical, mental, and spiritual health in ensuring life quality. To reinforce understanding, participants worked in groups, pairs, and individually with coaching and NLP-based exercises for creating emotional and physical comfort and overcoming anxiety—tools they can use in everyday life.
4. Reflection and feedback on what was learned and experienced. Each day concluded with evaluation and feedback sessions, during which participants reviewed their previously set goals and compared them to what they had learned. Clarifying questions were encouraged as needed. Finally, participants provided feedback and evaluation of the expert’s work.

These blocks were adapted as needed to suit the specific group’s mood, responsiveness, mentality, emotional intelligence, and other influencing factors, as well as the particularities of adult learning. The sessions were not structured as lectures or lessons; instead, they took place in the form of conversations, open discussions, and playful interactions. Throughout the activities, participants were encouraged to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to express their opinions. Everyone had the freedom to participate as much as they felt comfortable and could return to their “comfort zone” at any time. The only rule was to show respect toward others, as all participants were treated as equals. As a result, participants felt emotionally more open and engaged willingly in the activities.

Working with participants from the Middle East was more concise, as the groups were predominantly male and mainly focused on income opportunities and business development. However, once they realized that the consultant was familiar with their culture, traditions, religious principles, and history, communication became more open. They started asking questions and shared their thoughts on various economic and political processes. Some methods surprised them, as they had never encountered such approaches before, but they became engaged and participated actively—with curiosity and even humor—in creative writing, drawing, and using associative cards.

Participants from Ukrainian groups were mostly women—intelligent and well-educated. Work with these groups was deeper and more emotional, with some moments of strong emotional expression, but always took place in a warm, supportive atmosphere. As these participants gradually opened up and shared their experiences and feelings, they showed deep interest in self-exploration methods, emotional balance, and related topics. They were eager to try various techniques and methods and worked freely both individually and in pairs or groups.

At the end of the group sessions, participants were also offered individual consultations. This option was used actively by representatives of the Ukrainian groups, especially women.

It must be acknowledged that two days is not enough to resolve the deep emotional challenges that many of these individuals have accumulated over years. However, it did offer them a chance to feel part of a community, to relax for a moment, and to engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded people.

On August 12, a new group started learning an introductory course about life in Latvia. In the first lesson, the lecturer, Gunta Vīksne, member of the board of the association "Shelter "Safe House"" talked about Latvia and the history of Latvia.

After the lesson, the participants said that until now they did not know what trials Latvia and its people faced on the way to an independent state. Those who came from Ukraine saw many similarities with the history of Ukraine.

In the course of further studies, course participants will learn about the social support system in Latvia, the legal system and rights, holidays and traditions, housing and the rental market. Practical excursions will take you to the State Employment Agency, Riga History and Shipping Museum, Latvian Investment and Development Agency. There will be 9 classes in total.

A creative master class will conclude the cycle of classes.
What kinf of a master-class that will be?
It`s a secret for now, but it`s sure to be an exciting and educational lesson.

The project "Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!" is being implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund for the period 2021–2027, under grant agreement no. PMIF/13.3./2023/1/04. The total project funding is €302,765.06, comprising €227,073.79 from the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund and €75,691.27 from the Latvian state budget.

Ukrainians - listeners of the introductory course on Latvia - visited the VEF Culture Palace, got acquainted with the tradition of Latvian ceramics, and also tried their hand at making dishes and whistles! The visit to the studio was a special surprise event due to the day of certification and ending the introductory course on Latvia.

Cameraman Juris Kalniņš filmed the whole happening to later include a story about this event in the news video of the project.

Alltogether the participants were happy with this opportunity and had a great time trying their hand at the potter`s wheel. One of the ladies expressed the idea that she and her daughter could join the ceramics studio in the fall! Thus, the purpose of this lesson was practically fulfilled: to explore the possibilities of spending free time in Latvia!


The project "Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!" is being implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund for the period 2021–2027, under grant agreement no. PMIF/13.3./2023/1/04. The total project funding is €302,765.06, comprising €227,073.79 from the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund and €75,691.27 from the Latvian state budget.

Exciting and valuable lessons for those who have recently been to Latvia!

The association "Shelter "Safe House"" invites third country nationals to an introductory course on life in Latvia. Free of charge! Nine exciting lessons, several of them in the form of excursions!

•  Let`s go to Riga Stradins University to get to know Latvia`s education system practically;
• Latvian National History Museum. Great exposition, excursion led by a professional guide!
•  Excursion to the Business Incubator of the University of Latvia. How to practically start a business in Latvia,
• Excursion to the State Employment Agency. How to find a job, what are the opportunities paid by the state to raise qualifications,
• The final lesson will be a master class - a surprise. Let`s relax, let`s finish the course in a happy mood!

The rest of the classes will be in the form of interactive lectures. Lecturers - specialists of the association "Shelter "Safe House"" with 15 years of experience in helping immigrants! Let`s look at the situation in Latvia with apartments, the social system, practical information about services in Latvia.

Language: Russian

Time: June 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 11:00-14:00. ! If you want to apply for an evening group, please call +371 20 179 483!

Location: Lāčplēša Street 75 - easily accessible both from the Central Station and from any other point in Riga.

Apply in the form https://t.ly/sZfnH or by phone +371 20 179 483 or by scanning the QR code.

Catering: we will enjoy tea, coffee and snacks in between.

Participants: you can apply from the age of 13!

Certificate: a certificate of completion of the course will be issued at the end of the training.

Let`s get to know Latvia practically, going on excursions, making friends and having a good time!

The project "Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!" is being implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund for the period 2021–2027, under grant agreement no. PMIF/13.3./2023/1/04. The total project funding is €302,765.06, comprising €227,073.79 from the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund and €75,691.27 from the Latvian state budget.

As part of integration classes, asylum seekers attend the Latvian National History Museum.

The tour is led by Gunta Vīksne, expert of the association "Shelter "Safe House"". Gunta is not only a lawyer, but also a history teacher. Years of experience in working with immigrants allow her to pinpoint the information that will be most understandable and useful to people who have come to Latvia for the first time – from geographically distant and culturally different places of the globe.

An interpreter also participated in the excursion. This group of asylum seekers includes people whose main language of communication is French, and Gunta`s entire narrative is instantaneously translated into French.

The group listened to the narration with interest, their attention was also drawn to the artifacts displayed at the museum. Asylum seekers took the opportunity to ask questions, and they were most interested in events closer to the present – for example, the time of national awakening and liberation from occupation.

This was the first lesson for this group, several more meetings will follow, where other speakers will talk about rights, job opportunities, health care, education, traditions and culture.

The project "Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!" is being implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund for the period 2021–2027, under grant agreement no. PMIF/13.3./2023/1/04. The total project funding is €302,765.06, comprising €227,073.79 from the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund and €75,691.27 from the Latvian state budget.