20 years for Latvia: How Civic Alliance – Latvia has strengthened civil society

Over the course of twenty years, Civic Alliance – Latvia (CAL) has become one of the most significant drivers of civil society development in Latvia. Its work has never been an end in itself – behind every initiative and every change achieved is a tangible benefit for people: greater opportunities to influence decision-making, stronger communities, higher-quality and more trustworthy public administration, more accessible funding for public-benefit activities, and more active participation in democratic processes.

CAL’s contribution to strengthening civil society is based on two mutually complementary areas of work. The first is advocacy – working on legislation, public policy and the creation of an enabling environment in which civil society can fully develop and influence what happens in the country. The second is practical support for non-governmental organisations – funding, consultations, training, partnership-building and the development of new solutions that help organisations become stronger and address issues important to people and communities more effectively.

Twenty years of work demonstrate that civil society is not merely a collection of organisations. It is the ability of people to cooperate, take responsibility, solve shared problems and collectively shape their country. CAL has helped create an environment in which the public’s voice is heard more clearly and organisations are stronger, while the ultimate beneficiaries of this work are the people of Latvia and society as a whole.

Therefore, the story of Civic Alliance – Latvia’s twenty years is not merely the story of an organisation’s anniversary. It is a story of the growth of Latvia’s civil society, the maturing of its democracy and people’s ability to work together to build a stronger, more open and better Latvia.

From Civil Dialogue to Systemic Change

One of the most significant turning points was the establishment of the Council for the Implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Non-Governmental Organisations and the Cabinet of Ministers in 2005. It became a mechanism for regular dialogue between the government and civil society, reinforcing the principle that public organisations are not merely parties to be consulted, but equal partners in the development of the country. This approach was later complemented by the development of civil dialogue, creating increasingly structured opportunities for organisations to participate in decision-making.

In the following years, CAL actively contributed to the development of numerous important policies – including regulations on public participation, improvements to the donation system and the development of policies for a cohesive society. During the pandemic, it also secured specific support measures for associations and foundations, helping them maintain their capacity to continue working for the public good.

1. The Memorandum Council – the Foundation of Civil Dialogue

Since 2005, CAL has been one of the key drivers of the Council for the Implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Non-Governmental Organisations and the Cabinet of Ministers. Over the past twenty years, it has become the main institutional platform through which public authorities and civil society regularly work together on issues related to participation, democracy and matters of public importance. It is through this cooperation that the principle of civil dialogue has become firmly established in Latvia.

2. The Saeima Declaration on Civil Society

CAL was among the organisations that laid the groundwork for the Declaration on the Development of Civil Society, adopted by the Saeima in 2006. In 2024, the declaration was updated, reaffirming the state’s commitment to strengthening civil dialogue, public participation and the role of non-governmental organisations in democracy.

3. The Democracy Academy

The Democracy Academy is CAL’s long-term programme for developing democracy and participation skills in both civil society and public administration. Representatives of organisations, as well as state and municipal employees, learn about advocacy, participation methods and principles of cooperation in order to involve the public more actively in decision-making.

4. Decisions That Continue to Shape Latvia

CAL’s work does not end with the completion of projects. With the organisation’s support, improvements have been achieved in approximately 150 pieces of legislation, while methodologies and research continue to be used by public administration. Examples include the Municipal Openness Standard, the development of regulations for classifying associations, and a methodology for measuring the social impact of civil society.

Funding That Strengthens Society’s Ability to Act

CAL’s most significant contribution is not only the funding it has attracted, but what this funding has made possible for the benefit of people.

In recent years, together with its partners, approximately €20 million in international funding has been attracted to Latvia to strengthen civil society, including through the Active Citizens Fund and the Civil Society Fund. These investments have supported hundreds of organisations working every day in the fields of education, social issues, human rights, the environment, culture and community development.

The Active Citizens Fund was particularly significant – the first international programme of such scale in Latvia whose implementation was entrusted to civil society organisations themselves, under the leadership of CAL. The €8.5 million investment enabled organisations to attract a further €12 million in additional resources, demonstrating that investment in civil society generates significant social and economic returns.

1. The Latvian NGO Fund – Sustainable State Support for Civil Society

For more than ten years, CAL consistently advocated for the establishment of a state funding programme for civil society. As a result, the Latvian NGO Fund was established in 2015 – the first permanent state instrument for strengthening the institutional capacity of associations and foundations. Every year, the fund helps organisations develop their work, attract people and provide services needed by society.

2. The Active citizens fund – Trust in Civil Society

For the first time in Latvia’s history, an international programme worth €8.5 million was entrusted to civil society organisations themselves and coordinated by CAL. Over five years, the fund financed hundreds of initiatives in the fields of democracy, human rights, community development, media literacy and civic participation. As a result of the programme, organisations attracted a further €12.1 million in additional funding, demonstrating that investment in civil society generates both social and economic returns.

3. The Neighbourhood Communities Programme

Through the neighbourhood communities programme Safe Communities, CAL helps local residents address the challenges facing their communities themselves – from mutual cooperation and participation to safety and resilience in times of crisis. The programme promotes trust between residents, municipalities and local organisations, strengthening democracy at its closest level – within communities.

4. Research – Decisions Based on Data

CAL is one of the few civil society hubs in Latvia that systematically collects data on the sector of associations and foundations. The annual monitoring of associations and foundations, civil space monitoring and thematic research provide an important basis for public policy development.

For example, CAL’s research on the classification of associations became the basis for new regulations on the classification of associations and foundations developed by the Ministry of Justice. The social impact methodology developed by CAL, meanwhile, helps to systematically assess the contribution of civil society in Latvia for the first time.

5. Training and Capacity Building

For more than twenty years, CAL has organised free seminars, training sessions and experience-sharing events on organisational management, fundraising, advocacy, legal issues, communication and public participation. During this time, thousands of representatives of associations, foundations and active citizens have been trained, contributing to a more professional and stronger civil society.

Benefits for Society – More Active People and Stronger Communities

Projects implemented with CAL’s support have helped thousands of people participate in civic education activities, strengthened media literacy, encouraged participation in elections and created new models for public engagement.

Democracy education solutions have been introduced in one-third of Latvia’s schools through the DemokrātiJĀ project, and a digital learning centre for schools has been established. Community gardens, community philanthropy initiatives and participation models have also been developed in different parts of Latvia, some of which have subsequently been adopted by municipalities.

During the pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, civil society demonstrated its ability to respond quickly and effectively. CAL was the first organisation in Latvia to provide structured funding for volunteer initiatives supporting civilians in Ukraine, enabling assistance to reach people already in the first days of the war.

1. Human Rights Have Become More Accessible to Everyone

CAL has supported a range of initiatives that have improved human rights protection in Latvia. Through various programmes, employees of the judicial system have been trained on the rights of persons with disabilities, advocacy for people with rare diseases has been strengthened, the only online human rights guide in Latvian has been created, and educational materials for schools have been developed.

At the same time, research has been conducted on public attitudes and hate speech monitoring, helping to ensure that policy decisions are based on data.

2. Civic Education Programmes

CAL is one of the most visible developers of civic education in Latvia. The organisation has developed the New Citizen programme, created civic participation content for the National Defence Education programme, developed the interactive democracy simulation Democracy 2084 and the virtual escape game The European Values Room.

These tools help young people and adults gain a practical understanding of democracy, critical thinking and participation rather than simply learning about them in theory.

3. Consultations – Support at Every Stage of an Organisation’s Development

Every year, CAL provides hundreds of free consultations on the establishment and management of associations and foundations, accounting, fundraising, advocacy and dissolution. For many organisations, CAL has become the first place to receive professional advice and practical assistance.

4. The “For Human Growth” Award

Through the For Human Growth Award, CAL recognises individuals and organisations whose work promotes democracy, participation, social cohesion and sustainable development. The award highlights examples of good practice and strengthens the reputation and visibility of civil society.

5. Civil Protection and Societal Resilience

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, CAL has become one of the key organisations strengthening civil society’s preparedness for crises. The organisation is developing a civil protection NGO network, organising training for organisational leaders, coordinating cooperation with state institutions and developing initiatives that help communities be prepared to act in emergency situations.

6. Solidarity

Support during the pandemic – During COVID-19, CAL secured state support for associations and foundations, provided consultations and coordinated cooperation with public administration so that organisations could continue helping people even in crisis conditions.

Support for democracy in Belarus – Following the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, CAL became involved in organising solidarity actions and public support initiatives, advocating for democracy, human rights and the freedom of civil society.

Support for Ukraine – From the very first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, CAL became involved in initiatives supporting Ukraine by mobilising civil society, participating in solidarity actions and providing the first structured funding for volunteer assistance through the Active citizens fund.

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