An integration course for the second group of persons, who have already received a refugee status or an alternative status, has been completed within the project “Support Measures for Persons Under International Protection III”. The group includes persons from Afghanistan, Russia and Belarus.
The main objective of this integration course is to provide representatives of the target group with useful ad practical knowledge for living in Latvia, at the same time giving answers to questions of the target group, arisen while residing in Latvia.
The course was planned, adapting it to the group`s desires and needs. Already during the first class the most essential problem issues of the group participants were discussed and emphasised, looking once more at the most essential issues currently faced by the group participants.
The following topics were covered during the course:
- Housing
- Residence permits, possibilities of legal residence in the EU
- Social security network in Latvia
- Social assistance system in Latvia
- General introduction about Latvia, history of Latvia
- Education
- Employment, starting a business
- Healthcare system
- Non-discrimination and equal opportunities
- Healthcare system
- Spending of free time
Within the framework of the course, also several practical activities were organised, visiting various companies, in order to gain understanding of various employment and education issues.
Together with the lawyer Gita Miruškina, participants visited the company SIA “Livonia Print”, where its management kindly acquainted them with the factory and the participants had a chance to ask any questions of interest about this company and working conditions. The management of SIA “Livonia Print” admitted that employees are badly needed and that they are ready to ensure training to all interested persons. Some of the participants indicated that, in order to work at this company, they would need to find a place of residence closer to the company, otherwise they will have to use two types of public transport, which would take 1.5h.
Together with the lawyer Alvis Šķenders, the group participants visited the textile workshop “Daces meistardarbi”, where the owners of the workshop acquainted them with the specifics of textile business in Latvia and various technologies used in the manufacturing of products. Also, the participants themselves had a chance to try practically working on a loom and to weave garters together. The visit to this workshop was particularly appreciated by the participants from Afghanistan; they admitted that this is the area that is very topical also in Afghanistan, and many Afghan women possess knowledge and skills of making rugs and doing embroidery works.
In order to get acquainted with and understand the choice of professions, qualification acquiring opportunities and the education system in Latvia, the group participants together with the lawyer Gita Miruškina visited the training centre “Buts”, to find out about education and employment issues in practical environment. The participants were very interested in learning a new profession and admitted that the most important thing for them right now is to learn and strengthen their knowledge of Latvian language to be able to study at any of these training centres. One of the participants agreed with the training firm that starting from April he will commence studies, as he has already received the refugee`s status.
As a result of discussions, specific needs of participants for specific assistance were identified, which can be resolved in cooperation with lawyers, for example, revision of potential draft apartment rent agreements, declaration of address of residence, use of the portal latvija.lv, receiving and using of e-signature, application for and receiving of Riga resident`s card, revision of documents required for starting a business.
The course was concluded with a lecture read by the lecturer Ramona Liepiņa on the Spring Solstice traditions, voluntary work in various organizations, involvement of youth in EU programmes, and collective working in a soap masterclass, where everyone had a chance to make own aromatic soap.
Support Actions for Persons Under International Protection III project is implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and is co-financed by the European Union. Grant agreement No. PMIF/9/2020/3/02
