The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia has granted co-financing to the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency as part of the grant project competition "Support for development cooperation projects in recipient countries designated by the Republic of Latvia". The agency will use the funding to support Ukraine and implement activities planned under its initiated project "The Bridge of Friendship Riga–Nizhyn".
The primary objective of the project is to provide informational and psycho-emotional support to Ukrainian educators and municipal employees from the city of Nizhyn, Chernihiv region. The goal is to help them survive the consequences of Russian military aggression. Within the framework of the project, the agency plans to share experience and prepare employees of educational and municipal institutions for the submission of European Union projects. They will also help educational institutions create an implementation algorithm for infrastructure projects and prepare at least one joint international project.
The current situation in Ukraine is difficult, with regular attacks and shootings by Russian forces. The leadership of Ukraine, nationally and regionally, has focused all its attention on supporting soldiers and the vulnerable population, and all resources are being directed to the defence effort. In addition to state aid, employees of municipalities and educational institutions are also helping, even though they themselves need both practical and psychological support, just like the soldiers fighting on the front lines.
The project of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency aims to strengthen the psycho-emotional resilience of employees of educational institutions in Nizhyn (especially teachers), reduce their stress and possible burnout, and strengthen the capacity of educational institutions in Nizhyn by providing online training seminars for educators on specific topics.
The project will improve and supplement the work skills and competencies of Nizhyn municipality employees and educators of educational institutions. Two internships will be ensured in Riga, Latvia, and employees of Nizhyn municipality and educational institutions will be trained in EU project management with special attention paid to procurement procedures and transparency principles.
As a result of the project "The Bridge of Friendship Riga–Nizhyn", twinning solid ties with the city of Nizhyn will be established for further cooperation within the framework of other possible projects.
On February 24, 2022, the Riga City Council adopted a declaration condemning the Russian Federation's military aggression and large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The unjustified invasion of the territory of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The Riga City Council decided to help Ukraine and its people who suffered from the military aggression of the Russian Federation. So far, Riga has provided support in many ways to Ukraine and its civilians, who have applied for asylum in Riga. This project is an obvious continuation of Riga’s assistance to Ukraine.
The project "The Bridge of Friendship Riga–Nizhyn" is financed with the support of the grant project competition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia "Support for development cooperation projects in the designated recipient countries of the Republic of Latvia". The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Riga Support Center for Ukrainian residents, the municipality of Nizhyn City Council, and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports of the Riga City Council. Its activities will continue until November 2024.