Internship in LAPAS

If you are interested in exploring the day-to-day activities of a non-governmental organization and wish to gain hands-on experience by applying your expertise in one of the following areas:

• Research
• Project Management
• Representing the Organization at International Events
• Communication
  write to [email protected] with the subject line “INTERNSHIP IN LAPAS”, and we will get in touch with you personally.

Since 2015, more than 20 young people from Latvia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, France, and Italy have completed internships at LAPAS.

Here’s what some of them have to say about their experiences:

“At the beginning, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to the entire LAPAS team for an internship that gave me far more than just an insight into the work of a non-governmental organization.

I was able to broaden my perspective on the Sustainable Development Goals and conduct independent research on these topics. I was also involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of major events attended by both international and high-level guests, including the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In addition, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture, for example by taking part in a peace ceremony commemorating the war in Ukraine together with many local participants.

However, I am most grateful for the environment in which I was able to work and spend my time in Latvia. It was a great pleasure to be part of this team and to work together with each individual to accomplish tasks.

Thank you very much for this incredibly inspiring time!”

Nick Bayerlein / OTH Regensburg, Germany (2026)

“I’ve just wrapped my placement at LAPAS in Riga, working on civil protection and societal resilience — and I’m leaving with two things that feel very different but grew out of the same question.

One is a policy report on how development and humanitarian work across Europe is being reshaped by a new preparedness agenda.

The other is “Evacuation Point,” a tabletop exercise that puts communities in the seat of the people who have to organise a shelter before the state arrives: the same shift, but from the ground up.

And then there’s everything that wasn’t in the job description: a small team that handed an intern real responsibility, a city I’d already fallen for once and somehow fell for again, and countless conversations that taught me more about this region than any seminar could.

Paldies, LAPAS!”*

Lorenzo Gioia / Groningenas universitāte, the Netherlands (2026)

“LAPAS was my internship placement while I was simultaneously writing my bachelor’s thesis at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. It was a very useful and interesting experience that gave me insight into how Latvian NGOs operate. It helped me understand whether this is an environment I would like to work in in the future and what kinds of responsibilities NGOs actually have. My responsibilities were related to impact measurement. I researched what Latvian NGOs think and know about measuring impact within their organisations. I also took part in various events and activities organised by LAPAS.”

Ulla Grinberga / Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands (2026)

“Having been here in the period of pre-EP elections I had the opportunity to follow by myself and being completely involved in the projects that deal with it. Being an International Relations and European Studies student, I could see in practice what I have always theoretically studied; furthermore the biggest achievement (in personal terms) was the chance to meet some of the Latvian EP candidates in order to have a discussion and interview them for what concerns their electoral program and some hot topics that must be brought upon the EP in case of election.

I have seen LAPAS as an organisation always ready to involve and participate in different projects concerning fields which are of my interest. It is a small environment rich of many ideas and always ready to start and carry out something new. During the CIVICUS and AGNA meeting’s week, with international guests coming over, I realized how much important it is to discuss and have some practical outcomes in terms of advocacy, for example, but at the same time LAPAS didn’t put aside the cultural and fun part of the city and the country, organizing many different activities in order to spread the voice about this country and the opportunity it offers.

This internship has given to me not only the chance to put in practice what has always remained something theoretical and abstract but has shaped a better version of myself, ready for what is coming next. The biggest thanks to Inese, Sandra and Gerda for all the support and precious aid they gave.”

Sara Berruti / University of Florence, Italy (2024)

“Being part of such a great team gave me the possibility to learn from powerful women. They shared with me the values of perseverance, resilience, and all the love that they put into their job every day. Moreover, the possibility to work on LAPAS’ projects has been a springboard into the world of work, equipping me with the necessary skills to be precise and punctual with deadlines, but also braver in speaking in front of people from all over Europe. In fact, I had the great opportunity to present LAPAS during an OECD meeting, a real honour for me.

Ī desire to conclude with one of the best memories that I have of my time in LAPAS: once, someone asked Inese “How do you manage to do all these things in just one day?” and she replied, “I was lucky to get my dream job; everything I do is not a chore for me”. This statement began my leitmotiv and I hope to be as lucky in the future.”

Sara Giannote / University of Florence, Italy (2022)

“I come from Italy, Rome. Thanks to the Erasmus+ program, I had the opportunity to live for several months in a European country that I had never been to, and also so far from home, as well as my comfort zone. It was really great experience. I can definitely say that I learned a lot during the LAPAS internship, and above all, I had the opportunity to put into practice what I learned during my studies. I will definitely miss LAPAS and Latvia, a country full of surprises with a great cultural heritage.”

Gian Marco Alonzi / University of Bologna, Italy (2022)

“I came to Latvia for an internship and am very glad that I was a part of this organization. I chose LAPAS because I believe that it has set high, moral goals, as well as many interesting goals to set, develop and to achieve in the future. In LAPAS, I learned a lot about various important goals at the regional and global level, and it was important for me that I could make my contribution to LAPAS projects with my work.”

Francesca Del Grammastro / University of Bologna, Italy (2022)