Category: Latvia

Latvian hackathon devoted to COVID-19

By Inese Vaivare, Lapas LV

In March, we held a hackathon devoted to responding to the COVID-19 emergency, where professionals from different backgrounds gathered to generate ideas. The goal was to find a way to digitally connect high-risk people in need with volunteers who could help, people usually active on social media. The platform #stayhome was created: a call center operating 24/7 in Latvian, English and Russian, provided by a social enterprise employing people with disabilities, and mobile app that is available for volunteers and operates based on geographical location. A person in need just has to call, leave their phone number, location and need, and a volunteer  can pick up the task, call the person in need to confirm and just do it. This fast and easy solution has made it possible for anybody who wants to volunteer, however they want and whenever it is convenient and possible. No one is left behind!

Even though the application to become a volunteer is available only for authorized persons, in one month this movement has gathered more than 600 volunteers covering the whole country. We coordinate daily with social services, family doctors, hospitals. The movement is recognised by the government and supported by private sector companies. 

Reacting to the needs we saw most, we have already expanded to specific support for medical staff, linking doctors to different service providers and supporters such as car rentals, psychological support, and more. We also started to support local businesses run by people with high risk – for example, people can order daffodils grown by the elderly who cannot go to market to sell them now, and volunteers will deliver them.

We already see that this platform will also be crucial in the post-crisis period for socio-economic support in communities and neighbourhoods. 

Read more here: https://paliec-majas.lv/en/

Latvian NGO network uses the SDGs to reach out to new people

In 18 places all over Latvia almost 500 volunteers of all ages and occupations came together to talk about the local implementation of the SDGs. The actions were part of a global day of action on the SDGs, to mark their second anniversary. Latvian NGOs gathered in the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS) have noted a boost in regional partners and supporters through its work on the SDGs. By working in SDG implementation we’ve clearly expanded our network beyond our members and into new communities that are eager to help with creating a better world.

The engagement came from various angles: community activists from schools, CSOs, local libraries and youth centres were some of the more involved actors – as well as the local decision makers and public officials that need to implement the SDGs.

To support these initiatives and provide more information, LAPAS produced a special SDGs section on its website with stories, methodologies and videos, and well as publishing and distributing 2,500 newspapers on the SDGs at the local, national and global levels.

The Latvian part of the global 25 September #Act4SDGs actions were only the first phase of LAPAS’ ongoing activities on the SDGs. These actions paved the way towards monitoring and reviewing Latvia’s national Voluntary Review in 2018. This campaign will be continued during the Global Education Week from 20 – 27 November all around Latvia.

Find more about LAPAS: www.lapas.lv