POLICY REPORT ON IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM IN LATVIA ...

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account as well as special needs of such groups. Activity “Development of programmes and
provision of services to special groups of third-country nationals (children, women, elder
people, people without education, and people with special needs)” was planned for this purpose
under the Fund Programme 2008, and it supported activities focused on access to knowledge
and resources for special groups of third-country nationals who are in less favourable position,
to increase their self-esteem regarding participation in the communities and to develop
strategies to overcome any obstacles and to gain control over their surrounding environment.
Three projects were implemented within the framework of the said activity.
1) Foundation "Social service agency "Family Crisis Centre"" implemented project
"Integrēties ir viegli!" (“Integration Is Easy!”) where a service programme and
methodology was developed for the target group of the project – third-country nationals
– women and children, 48 educational sessions were organised and lead, individual
consultations were provided by a lawyer, social worker and psychologist to women
from third countries, 2 cross-cultural dialogue round-table discussions were organised,
as well as 2 training camps were organised.
2) The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs implemented project "Support to
repatriates – third-country nationals" where assistance was provided to 57 families of
repatriates (totally 138 persons). Support was provided in 197 cases: 20 repatriates
acquired the Latvian language, computer training was given to 14 repatriates,
professional courses were ensured to 6 repatriates to help in searching for employment,
aid was given to 4 repatriates for payment of study fee in educational establishments of
Latvia, an integration camp was organised for 17 repatriat children.
3) Society "Attīstības aģentūra "Pieci"" (Development Agency “Five”) implemented
project "Atvērti integrācijai!" (“Open to Integration!”) where the Integration Centre for
Children was established. The Centre has organised psychological support groups for
24 mothers, educational sessions for 12 children and 36 mothers, and integration
activities for children. 54
In order to ensure integration and access to language courses, within the framework of
Programme 2008 Activity "Develop programmes and activities for the purpose of promoting
adjustment of third-country nationals to the receiving society and to help them in acquisition of
main knowledge about the language, history, institutions, social and economic situation, culture
life, etc.", the Ministry of Education and Science, the Office of Citizenship and Migration
54 Information provided by officials of the Ministry of Justice.