From 2 January 2024, the Riga Support Centre for Ukrainians will be located at 9 Pāles Street, Jugla. Ukrainian civilians in Riga will continue to be able to receive essential state and local government services at one place.
In order to continue to provide Ukrainian civilians with all the necessary support in a successful and high-quality manner, while at the same time reducing the maintenance costs of the Riga Support Centre, it has been decided to relocate the Centre from 4 Amatu Street to 9 Pāles Street. The total floor area will not be significantly different, but the maintenance costs will be significantly lower.
The Riga Support Centre will continue to provide Ukrainian residents with the opportunity to apply for and receive residence permits, register their place of residence in Riga, receive personal ID codes, apply for personalised public transport tickets, register their children at Riga educational institutions and receive social assistance, as well as find temporary accommodation in Riga or elsewhere in Latvia. The State Employment Agency will not continue its work at 9 Pāles Street.
Also, non-governmental organisations that have been providing advice and assistance that cannot be provided by the state and local government since 24 February 2022 will move from 4 Amatu street to the new location of the centre at 9 Pāles Street. Several NGOs continue their work at 9 Pāles Street
Vilnis Ķirsis, the Mayor of Riga, regarding the relocation of the Centre to Pāles Street: "Riga will continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary. We are approaching the second anniversary of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine. We all want an early Ukrainian victory, but we must make sure that the Ukrainian civilians who have taken refuge in Riga can not only survive, but also live. This is why the support provided by Riga is changing, as primary assistance – temporary accommodation and social benefits - is not enough. People need to be helped to build an independent life in Riga, and the basis for this is a good knowledge of the Latvian language, respect for Latvian culture and society, and a stable job. Therefore, by moving the centre to Pāles Street, we will think about new trainings and activities that will facilitate the integration of Ukrainians in Latvia."
9 Pāles Street was previously the location of Riga 63 Secondary School, which is currently located at 6 Baltezera Street. The former school premises are suitable for the functions of the Riga Support Centre, as the classrooms can provide both service provision and various types of training, including Latvian language courses. The Riga Support Centre will also continue to host job fairs, which will bring together employers in Riga and Ukrainian civilians looking for work.
Ukrainian civilians should note that from 2 January they will no longer have access to free parking spaces at 1 Kaļķu Street. The Support Centre at 9 Pāles Street is easily accessible by public transport and there will be a parking space available for the duration of the visit.
The Riga Support Centre for Ukrainian Civilians started its work on 7 March 2022 at the Congress House, then moved to 1 Kalku Street, and from 4 September 2022 – at 4 Amatu Street.
As of 24 February 2022, 24 501 Ukrainian civilians have been registered in Riga, of whom 19 935 are currently living in Riga.
Information prepared by: Edīte Matuseviča, Project Coordinator at External Communication Department of the Riga City Council, e-mail: edite.matusevica@riga.lv