Projects supported by the Latvian NGO fund
When the fund was launched in 2007, Nils Sakss, Director of the Society Integration Foundation, which manages the fund, called it one of the most important tools for civil society development in Latvia. Following 4 open calls for project proposals, 133 grants have now been provided to support projects managed by non-governmental organisations in Latvia within the 3 branches of the fund the NGO project measure, the NGO capacity strengthening measure and the NGO activity support measure.
Of the overall allocation from Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway to Latvia, 10% is earmarked NGOs. The Latvian government is contributing with 15% co-financing to the €5.85 million NGO fund. When the fund was established, Latvian Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens praised the cooperation between Norway and Latvia in establishing the fund and said he expected the fund to be a springboard for strengthening Latvian civil society over the coming 3 years.