The Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS) was established in 2004 – the year Latvia joined the European Union. LAPAS unites 29 Latvian NGOs that believe that Latvia’s transition experience to a democratic market economy can be useful to others. LAPAS also promotes NGO participation in development cooperation and coordinates Latvia’s efforts in development education.
All of our organisations have contributed to Latvia’s development since Latvia regained independence in 1991.
Member organisation fields of expertise include:
- good governance, anti-corruption, criminal justice policy
- tolerance and inclusive public policy
- education policy, global and development education, intercultural and bilingual education, continuous education Development Education Policy of Latvia 2008-2015
- sexual and reproductive health rights, HIV/ AIDS
- childrens’ rights, work with street children, work with children having special needs, youth-friendly healthcare, youth advocacy
- European policy
- gender equality
- strengthening civil society at the national, local and regional level.
LAPAS often is the initial contact point for NGOS, local and national governments of other countries interested in exploring the applicability of Latvia’s experience to their environment. Our capacity base extends to 107 member organisations of the Latvian Civic Alliance, local governments, different government entities and other development stakeholders in Latvia.
Some of LAPAS most visible events include:
- World Talks on the MDGs (October 2010)
- Baltic States Conference on Development Education (April 2010)
- Latvian National Conference on Development Education (Nov 2009)
- Lecture series on Africa and Development (Winter 2008)
- Ukrainian Latvia NGO Summer Academy (July 2008)
- Moldovan Latvian NGO Summer Academy (July 2007)
- The Latvian – Moldovan NGO Forum on Public Participation (2006 – Kishinev, Moldova);
- The Latvian – Georgian NGO Forum “The Road to the EU” (2005 – Tbilisi, Georgia);
- Annual World Day Events in Liepaja, Alūksne and Rīga – showcasing Latvian NGO activities on the theme of development.
- Training, lectures, briefings for the member organizations and other interested parties on development issues.
LAPAS cooperates closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and the Parliament Foreign Relations and European Affairs committees in shaping Latvia’s development cooperation policy. We are a member of CONCORD, the European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development. CONCORD’S 18 international networks and 25 national associations from the European Member States represent more than 1600 European NGOs vis-à-vis the European Institutions. In addition, LAPAS is in partnership with the Lithuanian National Platform of Development NGOs and the Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ).
What can LAPAS offer?
- Latvian experience in development of various sectors, emphasizing the active role of the civil society sector in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation;
- Latvian experience in development of the democratic civil society at the State, municipal and NGO levels.
How to begin?
Our own recent development experience has shown us that experience must be relevant and targetted at the needs identified by the recipient. Sometimes a comparative understanding of the way a system has been set up in many different countries is needed. Other times, the recipient requires answers to specific questions, insight into day to day operations, etc.
To best gear our knowledge to the interested stakeholder, we offer:
- Joint meetings to identify needs
- Exchange visits to Latvia (for recipient country stakeholders to identify Latvian best practise for futher work)
- On-site visits by Latvian experts (so the offers reflect are sensitive to the situation in the recipient country)
- Training, seminars, conferences, further in depth study visits.
To date, Latvia has primarily shared its transition experience with Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and other states of East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. We are ready to share with other regions of world, too.
If you are interested in cooperation with Latvian NGOs, please contact our member organizations directly or let us help you find the most appropriate partners in Latvia.
Phone: (+371) 26275253
E-mail: info@lapas.lv
Home page: www.lapas.lv
