The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has evaluated applications submitted for the 2023 grant competition titled “Support for Development Cooperation Projects in recipient countries designated by the Republic of Latvia” and has awarded financing (grants) to the projects to be implemented in 2023 and 2024 in the countries prioritised by the Republic of Latvia.
The interest of organisations and institutions in the implementation of development cooperation projects in Latvia has increased considerably this year, and a record-high number of 69 applications were received. The total amount of financing that the applicants requested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was EUR 3,285,802.38 for 2023 and 2,362,138.12 for 2024. In view of the funds made available under the grant competition – EUR 779,776.83 in 2023 and EUR 759,776.83 in 2024 – it is possible to support 16 projects partly or fully 11 of them, over the period of two years.
In line with the Development Cooperation Policy plan for 2021-2023 and the competition regulations, 50 per cent of grant funding has been made available for the projects of civil society organisations.
With Ukraine being set as the main priority region this year, support has been granted to nine projects in that country. Focus is still retained on the European Union’s Eastern Partnership countries, and the Foreign Ministry awarded grants to one project in Georgia and one in Moldova. Support is still essential for the Central Asian region, where funding has been allocated to two projects. Since 2022, Latvia has been expanding its cooperation for development in Africa, where funding has been awarded to three projects.
The Foreign Ministry has awarded a full grant to the following projects:
- “Promoting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized farmers through the Rural Demonstration Method for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer in Crop and Livestock Production” in Ukraine, by the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre;
- “Microsurgery training program to improve the qualifications of Ukrainian doctors”, by the Latvian Microsurgeons Association;
- “Support for Women’s Activism in Ukraine. Promotion of “Women, Peace and Security” policy. Development of the system of assistance for victims of war crimes”, by MARTA Centre association;
- “Strengthening the capacity of the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova (ANSA), promoting the efficiency of export/import controls, and facilitating the circulation of safe goods and products”, by the Food and Veterinary Authority;
- “Implementation of rehabilitation programs including program for patients after lower limb amputation in Ukraine medical institutions, exchange experience with National Rehabilitation Center “Vaivari””, by the National Rehabilitation Center “Vaivari”;
- “Strengthening the capacity of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine”, by the State Border Guard;
- “Latvia’s Competencies for Development of a Sustainable Bioeconomy in Uzbekistan”, by the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies;
- “Development of the medical educational process and capacity building” in Georgia, by Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital;
- “Sustainable Policy Planning for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Uzbekistan”, by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments;
- “Support for Ukrainian Forensic Experts in documentation of the war crimes committed by the Russian Federation (ForUkraine), by the State Forensic Science Bureau;
- “Support to strengthen the capacity of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the field of protection of financial interests of the European Union”, by the Ministry of Finance;
- “STEM school for girls” in South Africa and Cameroon, by Riga TechGirls association;
- “Support for integration of Ukraine’s SMEs and business support organizations into the European single market by using Latvia as an entry point”, by the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
- Entrepreneurship education and development project “Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship and Business Environment Development in Africa ‘She Rebuilds the World’” in Namibia, by an association “Economic Cooperation and Investments for Latvia” – #esiLV;
- Entrepreneurship education and development project “Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship and Business Environment Development in Africa ‘She Rebuilds the World’” in Zambia and Zimbabwe, by an association “Economic Cooperation and Investments for Latvia” – #esiLV.
Under the competition regulations, and taking into account the total financing available, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded a partial grant for 2023 and a full grant for 2024 to the following project:
- “The Bridge of Friendship Riga–Nizhyn” in Ukraine, by the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency.
The Ministry would like to thank the applicants for taking part and is pleased about the quality of the project proposals. All the applicants will be contacted individually on the results of the assessment of their projects.