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Description
The project "Strengthening the capacity of the NGO “LgSC” to promote the participation of civil society and citizens and to represent their interests in the Latgale region" envisages strengthening the capacity of the organization in several areas - to form the “LgSC” as a stronger organization, to involve the members of the organization more actively and more closely, to promote better management of the “LgSC” and greater independence from finansial dependence from projects. Project support will allow the “LgSC” to reach a new level, which will have a positive impact on the long-term work of the organization - its image (brand) will become higher quality, clearer and more credible in society, members and the organization itself will be more educated. All changes will allow even better implementation of the goal set in the project with the development of the organization - to strengthen the promotion of the participation of civil society and citizens of Latgale region and the representation of their interests.
The project activities envisage the creation of a new brand of the association, the courage to implement a donation campaign, diversification and efficiency of economic activities, as well as the most important thing - to form the “LgSC” as a stronger and more knowledgeable organization, using both own and cooperation partners'' resources.
The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the association "LgSC" as an independent, active, sustainable and cange-orientated organization.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle several interrelated issues and challenges to enhance the capacity of the NGO and its ability to support civil society in the Latgale region:
Organizational Weaknesses:
- The need to establish “LgSC” as a stronger, more independent, and sustainable organization.
- Improving internal management practices and reducing financial dependence on project-based funding.
Member Engagement:
- Low levels of active participation and engagement among members of the organization.
Public Perception and Credibility:
- Enhancing the organization''s public image and brand to make it more recognizable, credible, and influential in society.
Economic Sustainability:
- Diversifying income sources and developing more efficient economic activities, including launching a donation campaign to build financial independence.
Knowledge and Skills Development:
- Empowering both the organization and its members through education and resource-sharing to foster a more knowledgeable and capable team.
Civic Participation and Advocacy:
- Strengthening the organization’s ability to promote civic engagement and represent the interests of civil society and citizens in the Latgale region more effectively.
Resources for Capacity Building and Achievements
The resources provided for capacity building have enabled the creation of a strong, modern, and well-utilized brand, a clear visual narrative, a permanent donation campaign, and have also strengthened the association internally. The association has fostered greater member engagement, defined strategic goals and guidelines for future work, and, for the first time in its existence, deliberately focused on attracting donations and expanding and diversifying its economic activities. Encouraged by the project, the association has also participated in training to further work on securing and attracting funding independent of project financing. While these efforts were previously sporadic and lacked focus, the project’s achievements and the platform established have allowed the association to precisely define its needs and identify the resources it can offer as services.
The association has completed the renewal of its brand and the development of a visual strategy. Going forward, the association "LgSC" will operate under the name Latgalīšu kulturys kusteiba "Volūda", a much clearer and more comprehensible positioning, both internally and externally. This rebranding and visual strategy will provide a strong foundation for all future communication efforts, making them more cohesive, recognizable, and appealing.
Project Activities and Results
The association organized a meeting with Norwegian organizations, which expanded "LgSC" knowledge about less commonly spoken languages in other countries. This meeting included learning about the Kven language spoken by the Finnish population in northern Norway and understanding the activities undertaken to preserve the language, which could be relevant for "LgSC’s" work with the Latgalian language. Additionally, mentors from the growth platform "MeYou.One" involved a representative from the Latvian diaspora in Oslo to share insights on maintaining the Latvian language in diaspora communities and to establish potential contacts for engaging Latgalians living in Norway in association activities.
Building on the foundations and goals outlined in its strategy, the association developed concrete action plans and ideas for the next three years. The established metrics will allow continuous monitoring of the work directions; for example, if the strategy includes an annual activity for children, this will also be incorporated into the action plan. The strategic points and defined targets serve as checkpoints and a roadmap for further work.
Outcomes and Impact of the Project
Using the insights gained during the strategy development, "LgSC" responded to an invitation from the Civic Alliance Latvia, of which it became a member in the previous reporting period, to participate in a study evaluating the impact of associations. During this period, the association expanded donation opportunities by attracting new individual donors. It introduced donation options via the "Mobilly" platform and participated in the #WhiteFriday campaign, marking the first time such donation activities were carried out.
The most significant achievement is the creation of a donation platform-store, which serves as both the conceptual basis for the association''s donation campaign and an online store. While the initial project proposal envisioned the store as part of the association''s website, technical cost assessments revealed the idea would exceed the project''s budget. A solution was found in an external platform, accessible via the association’s website.
The donation platform combines the opportunity to support the association''s goals with the purchase of specific products or services. These include books and other materials prepared by the association, as well as services. The association is proud that the donation platform is a long-term solution, enabling it to set future priorities for donation campaigns, highlight them, and share progress to encourage donors and supporters.
Results Achieved and Target Groups
The project’s results include the establishment of a strong, recognizable brand and visual identity, fostering clear communication. The strategic development of donation campaigns, the implementation of innovative donation mechanisms, and the launch of a platform-store have created a sustainable framework for future fundraising efforts. These outcomes directly benefit the association, its members, the Latgalian-speaking community, and supporters of Latgalian culture. By sharing best practices and building relationships with international organizations, the project has also laid a foundation for broader cultural and linguistic exchange.
Summary of bilateral results
The activity involved an exchange event where representatives of Norwegian organizations and members of the association "LgSC" discussed the situation of languages and regional populations in Norway and Latvia, established contacts, and laid the groundwork for potential future collaborations.Outcome of the activity: Expansion of "LgSC" collaboration partners and an increased knowledge base about the situation of languages and regional populations in other countries.