The project “Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!”, implemented by the association “Patvērums “Drošā māja””, has concluded. Over the course of three years, 884 people attended the introductory course on life in Latvia. Of these, 823 participants completed the course and received a certificate. In total, classes were held for 55 groups over a period of approximately three years.
The project was launched in November 2023 with the aim of promoting the participation of third-country nationals in Latvian society through knowledge and helping people who had recently arrived in Latvia to better navigate their new place of residence. Participants included both asylum seekers and third-country nationals who had been granted the right to reside in Latvia.
The introductory course consisted of a 30-hour training programme providing participants with practical knowledge needed for everyday life. The lecturers — both specialists from the association and specially invited experts — covered Latvian history, culture and traditions, finding accommodation, employment and education, the healthcare and social welfare systems, migration issues, human rights and non-discrimination, as well as the use of banking services, public transport and other everyday services.
An important part of the course was the opportunity to learn about Latvia beyond the classroom. Participants visited state and municipal institutions, museums and other venues for practical activities. For example, sessions were held at the National History Museum of Latvia, while asylum seekers from Liepna visited the Alūksne Municipality Museum. Several groups visited a ceramics studio, where they gained practical insight into Latvian folk art by making clay vessels themselves.
The experience gained through the project demonstrated that people who have recently arrived in Latvia need not only information but also opportunities to understand in practical terms where to turn for assistance, what steps to take and how the systems needed in everyday life operate in Latvia. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience was one of the key elements of the course. Such knowledge helps newcomers better understand Latvian society and avoid misunderstandings. This also benefits Latvian society as a whole by fostering mutual understanding, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts, and helping to build a more cohesive society.
The project “Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!” was implemented from 1 November 2023 to 31 August 2026.
The project “Latvia – a Country by the Baltic Sea!” was implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for the 2021–2027 period, Grant Agreement No. PMIF/13.3./2023/1/04. The total project funding amounts to EUR 302,765.06, comprising EUR 227,073.79 in funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and EUR 75,691.27 in funding from the Latvian state budget.