By March 31, 2024, all the activities planned in the project have been implemented and on March 27, the closing event of the project was held, where the Handbook "Good practice for the integration of asylum seekers in the local community" was solemnly presented.
Within the framework of the project "Integration-related measures in Muceniekos" (No. LV-LOCALDEV-0007), activities were implemented, most of which took place in 2023. Attracting appropriate specialists and event organizers, activities have taken place that are offered to everyone free of charge:
Cultural events:
- Easter celebrations (2 events),
- Ligo festival (2 events),
- Cultural Heritage Day 5-day event,
- Creative workshops "Get to know Europe in Latvia!" 10 lessons.
Health promotion measures:
- Health Day (2 events).
Sports events:
- Sports day (2 events),
- Day camp 5 day event,
- Zumba 30 lessons,
- Yoga 30 lessons,
- Gymnastics 40 lessons,
- Football training 44 lessons,
- Swimming 9 lessons,
- Mamanet training 25 lessons .
A sports stadium has been built, which will be open and available for use by every resident for at least the next 5 years. Its economic side has been handed over to the Ropaži sports center.
The goal of the project has been achieved - to strengthen integration measures in Muceniekos and the related asylum seeker reception center, promoting multicultural dialogue and closer cooperation between municipal communities, providing sports and leisure infrastructure.
For the implementation of the project activities, a partner from Norway was brought in - the municipality of Elverum city, from which good practices and acquired knowledge were adopted. Exchange of experience took place in regular communication and joint working visits. There have been 2 visits to Norway, 5 visits to Latvia.
In integration issues, as a result of the implementation of the project, challenges to be solved have been identified:
- Latvia is primarily a transit country
- Relatively low state economic support is available in Latvia
- Stereotypical treatment of local residents
- There are strong barriers of language, culture, religion and ethics, which make it difficult to implement integration measures and require additional resources.
Fundamental benefits of implementing project activities:
- Latvia can be a promoter of the integration of asylum seekers in the European context.
- The opportunity to show different cultures to the local population, especially to children and young people, is an asset.
- The opportunity to make someone happier and more joyful, even if only for a moment, giving a dose of energy to life.
The published Handbook "Good practice for the integration of asylum seekers in the local community" has a circulation of 500 copies, of which 200 are in Latvian and 300 are in English. It contains a collection of activities with visualizations, photos and descriptions, which can serve as an initial source of information and an example for organizing integration-related events for municipalities, state institutions, non-governmental organizations and any citizen interested in the involvement of asylum seekers and any immigrants and refugees in the local community and in European society as a whole.
In total, around 5,000 people are involved in the project and informed about the project.
The total cost of the project: EUR 1,029,984.60, of which EUR 750,000.00 is financed by the European Economic Area and EUR 279,984.60 is co-financed by the municipality.
The project is implemented in the program "Local development, poverty alleviation and cultural cooperation" co-financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through EEA grants.
