Description
Although the Latvian Red Cross(LRC) is a national level organization with a wide network of committees, previous activity in the field of human rights, advocacy and anti-discrimination has been quite episodic. The Project aims to ensure regular operation of the LRC in the fields of human rights and anti-discrimination. To achieve the project's aim LRC will provide support to the Latvian inhabitants in the field of human rights, including social and health promoting activities and anti-discrimination. It will involve volunteers and attract new members, train LRC members and LRC Youth representatives, develop LRC action strategy, carry out campaigns at national and regional level, engage itself in consultations/co-operation process with the state and local government institutions in order to ensure advocacy and observance of human rights. Main project target groups are NGO members and local residents.
Summary of project results
The project was required to enable the Latvian Red Cross (LatRC) to expand its services provided to the residents of Latvia, especially to the most vulnerable part of the society, and to implement new activities in the areas of human rights, protection of interests and discrimination minimisation throughout Latvia. The project provided the opportunity to develop the operational strategy of the LatRC in the areas of human rights, protection of interests and discrimination minimisation, to implement a set of activities for the involvement of new LatRC members and volunteers, to ensure regular and quality participation of the LatRC in the working groups and advisory councils of governmental institutions / local governments to provide for the work in the protection of interests as well as to promote compliance with the principles of respecting human rights and minimising discrimination, and to promote an increase of public awareness and knowledge by means of a wide range of events. Activities started within the project will be continued based on the funding by the LatRC and other foundations, their implementation will be ensured by volunteers and employees of the LatRC. The aim of the project was to strengthen the LatRC operations for regular activities of the LatRC in the areas of human rights, protection of interests and discrimination minimisation, and it has been fully attained. Implementation of the project has provided the opportunity to recognise problems existing in the areas of human rights, protection of interests and discrimination minimisation, and eventual activities that the LatRC may implement to improve the situation. The project has promoted the development of active civil participation by involving the residents of Latvia, especially representatives of the most vulnerable groups and residents of rural regions, in the volunteer work, creative and educational activities. Within the project activities, the project participants had the opportunity to improve their knowledge, develop cooperation, communication and organisational skills, and to recognise themselves as a resource to promote public awareness of the issues of human rights, protection of interests and discrimination minimisation.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner was the association Norwegian Red Cross (NorRC). Experts from the NorRC were involved as providers of advisory support by commenting on the development and implementation of the LatRC strategies Operational Strategy of the LatRC in the Areas of Human Rights, Protection of Interests and Discrimination Minimisation and External Communication Strategy of the LatRC. The NorRC shared their expertise that is based on years of experience in resolving non-discrimination and human rights issues. Considering that the NorRC has been a partner of the LatRC for years, during regular meetings between the LatRC and the NorRC the progress of the project, implementation of strategies were presented and discussed and planning of possible joint future activities was performed. Based on the results of such meetings, an agreement was entered into by and between the LatRC and the NorRC resulting in the NorRC granting additional financial support for the implementation of integration activities in Latvia. With the financial support from the NorRC, a day camp for children from families of the social risk group, Latvian language and culture courses were organised and a study regarding inter-cultural dialogue in Latvia was undertaken. Regular exchange of information between the LatRC and the NorRC took place during the project implementation period. Cooperation with the project partner is also continued after implementation of the project by developing new ideas and jointly resolving the issues topical for the public in Latvia and Norway. No financial means were transferred to the project partner.