Director of the Secretariat of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF), Inese Kalvāne, Head of the One-Stop Agency (OSA) for Newcomers to Latvia, Inese Saldābola, and OSA Coordinator of Methodological Content and Activities, Laura Veremeja, participated in a migration conference organized by the Nordic Council of Ministers in Tallinn, bringing together migration and integration experts from countries across the Baltic Sea region.

At the conference, SIF representative Inese Saldābola presented Latvia’s experience, including ways of using communication with newcomers to enhance their understanding of life and current developments in Latvia. Successful integration into society is the responsibility of the newcomer themselves; however, close cooperation among state and municipal institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other partners is essential to ensure that the necessary information and support reach people in a timely manner.

Equally important is newcomers’ motivation to learn the Latvian language, as language is one of the most important prerequisites for full participation in society. Establishing connections with local residents, engaging in community activities, and getting to know Latvia not only through practical everyday matters but also through its people, traditions, and culture are also crucial aspects of successful integration.

It is precisely these interpersonal connections, trust, and sense of belonging that help build a more cohesive society where everyone has the opportunity to become an active and engaged member.

As part of the visit, on 18 September, SIF representatives took part in an experience-sharing visit to the Estonian Integration Foundation(Integratsiooni Sihtasutus), where they also met with a representative of the Estonian Ministry of Culture.

During the visit, Estonian colleagues introduced SIF representatives to the foundation’s day-to-day work, the cooperation model between the institutions, as well as digital integration solutions and the challenges associated with their implementation.

Following this, SIF representatives visited the Tallinn Migration Centre, which, similarly to Latvia’s One-Stop Agency, operates according to the “one-stop-shop” principle. The centre provides consultations to newcomers, offers a defined range of services, and helps coordinate the support they need.

The Tallinn Migration Centre is also responsible for identifying the needs of its target groups, training support group facilitators, and organizing various integration-promoting activities, including the “Integration Window” (Lõimumisaken) seminars.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to learn about Estonia’s experience and discuss challenges common to both countries, as well as possible solutions in the areas of newcomer integration and service coordination. Such exchanges of experience help improve existing approaches and identify new ways to ensure that newcomers receive accessible, understandable, and timely support.