Civic Alliance – Latvia: 62% of residents value public organizations

A recent survey by the research center SKDS, commissioned by the Civic Alliance of Latvia (CAL), shows strong public support for associations and foundations in Latvia.

Key findings:

• 62% of residents believe that associations and foundations make a significant contribution to society.
• 59% think the state should financially support these organizations, particularly when their work serves public benefit goals; only 9% oppose financial support.
• Around 25% of residents remain unsure about the role of public organizations or the need for state support, highlighting the need for greater public awareness.
• Organizations best recognized by the public operate in social assistance, including Ziedot.lv, Centrs MARTA, and the Latvian Red Cross, while some respondents incorrectly cited political parties, underscoring the need to clarify the role of civil society organizations.

"By commissioning this survey, our goal was to understand the public’s attitudes and perceptions regarding the work of civil society organizations. The results, which indicate an overall positive public assessment, confirm that civil society organizations are perceived as an important actor in the country’s development," says Kristīne Zonberga, Director of CAL.

The survey included 1,005 residents aged 18–75 across Latvia and was conducted from February 27 to March 2, 2026.

Dalies: