Inese Saldābola, Head of the Society Integration Foundation’s One-Stop Agency for Newcomers in Latvia

When we talk about integration, one of the key prerequisites for success is knowledge of the Latvian language. The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) coordinates Latvian language learning only for Ukrainian residents. For other people arriving in Latvia, or for those who wish to improve their knowledge, SIF does not provide courses. To promote social cohesion, however, SIF offers Latvian language courses within the framework of various projects to different target groups – including returnees, their family members, and Ukrainian civilians – and ensures coordination of the learning process.

Overcoming the Language Barrier – Towards Better Employment

In the first six months of this year, SIF has provided consultations to more than 2,000 people, compared to almost 6,000 last year. The One-Stop Agency differs from others in that people come to us voluntarily – it is not an obligation. Once a newcomer has received the Agency’s services, we call it socio-economic inclusion. We evaluate aspects such as health, education, employment, and housing. Once problems are resolved and the plan is completed, these people can live independently, as the first stage of integration has been successfully achieved.

We see a strong correlation between people’s motivation, cultural differences, and integration outcomes. The more motivated a person is, and if Latvia has been their deliberate choice for living and working, the better the results of their socio-economic inclusion.

Regardless of the reasons that led someone to leave their homeland, when arriving in another country they must think about how to support themselves and their family – which is closely linked to employment. So far, the majority of newcomers in Latvia are employed in low-skilled jobs. For example, only 1% of officially employed Ukrainian civilians hold managerial positions. Very often, the most significant barriers to expanding job opportunities and career growth are language skills, as well as differences in professional qualifications and experience.

To ensure equal opportunities for learning Latvian, a unified and sustainable system is needed. Until now, EU-funded language courses have been available to various groups of immigrants – mainly third-country nationals and refugees.

Since mid-2023, using SIF’s capacity, expertise, and sustainability approach, a unified framework for learning Latvian, as well as exploring Latvian culture and history, has been coordinated through the national information system “Integration Measures Database.” This allows everyone to access the necessary information in one place – on the website www.livelatvia.lv – and take the first steps towards successful integration into Latvian society.

“LearnLatvian” – an Online Resource for Free Latvian Language Courses

Greater attention now needs to be paid to those who wish to learn Latvian. Often, the improvement of language skills depends on the overall attitude of society – whether people can show empathy towards newcomers who are trying to speak Latvian, even if they make mistakes at first. A dismissive attitude towards immigrants can become an obstacle, discouraging them from continuing to learn the state language and preventing them from putting their skills into practice.

It should be noted that in recent years the demand for free Latvian language courses has increased. This is explained by the fact that among newcomers there are not only Ukrainian civilians but also returnees, refugees, and other third-country nationals who have arrived in Latvia to work or study. According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, as of December 31, 2024, Latvia had 85,978 temporary residence permit holders (including 70,206 third-country nationals) and 45,731 permanent residence permit holders (including 40,443 third-country nationals). Ukrainian civilians so far have obtained 3,104 permanent residence permits and 40,443 temporary ones. Of the temporary permits, 14,405 were issued on the basis of employment and 7,036 on the basis of studies.

In these circumstances, SIF, through its Agency, has assumed the role of coordinator – organizing cooperation with other institutions and ensuring a consistent approach to the implementation of Latvian language and integration courses. Data on third-country nationals attending SIF and Riga City Council-funded courses are stored and regularly updated in the IT system “Integration Measures Database.”

It is likely that in the future other service providers will also join this database, thus creating a comprehensive overview of newcomers’ profiles in Latvia. The information collected also serves as a tool for registering individuals within various projects.

To make information about free Latvian language courses more accessible, the Agency has also developed a new platform – “LearnLatvian”, available on www.livelatvia.lv. There, newcomers can easily find the nearest Latvian language learning location. The platform also provides information about paid courses, free online learning materials, and tips for language acquisition.

Visible Economic Benefits

It is important to stress that knowledge of the state language is a long-term investment that significantly increases a person’s competitiveness in the labor market. Current projections show that in the relatively near future, changes in the economic structure will increase demand for highly qualified workers while reducing the number of low- and medium-skilled jobs.

According to the Ministry of Economics’ labor market report, by 2040, compared to 2021, the share of high-skilled jobs in overall labor demand may increase by about 8.1%, while the share of medium- and low-skilled professions may decrease by about four percentage points.

Data from the State Employment Agency show that within six months after completing two levels of Latvian language courses, about one-quarter of learners find employment (in 2022 – 2,732 people). Importantly, the mutual economic benefits are evident from a cost-benefit perspective: the average monthly cost of supporting one unemployed person (EUR 367) compared to the approximately EUR 1,500 cost of providing two levels of language training shows that the investment pays off in the long term.

Moreover, language skills are a prerequisite not only for smoother daily life and access to services but also for further education and career development. For Latvia, this means an important contribution to combating depopulation and filling vacant positions not only in low-skilled sectors but also in strategically important fields such as healthcare, technology, and others.

Additional economic benefits come from taxes paid by third-country nationals working in Latvia. According to the Central Statistical Bureau, based on the average gross salary of EUR 1,671, the monthly tax contribution of one employee is EUR 869.24. Multiplying this amount by more than 15,000 work permit holders results in an annual contribution exceeding EUR 162 million – a figure almost one and a half times larger than the annual budget of Daugavpils.

Therefore, investments in Latvian language learning and integration measures are not only socially responsible but also economically justified. Effective inclusion of newcomers, by promoting language skills and labor market competitiveness, makes a substantial contribution to the national economy, reduces social stratification, and strengthens social cohesion. In the long run, this will help build a more sustainable and economically stable Latvia – a country where both newcomers and local residents benefit.

Services of the Integration and Inclusion Agency are provided by the Society Integration Foundation within the framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund’s project (Agreement No. PMIF/13.1./2022/1/01). The funding has been allocated by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (75%) and Latvian State budget (25%).