The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has opened a One-Stop Agency (OSA) for newcomers in Valmiera. The services are also available to employers who already employ third-country nationals or are planning to do so in the future. The OSA provides comprehensive informational support needed when relocating to Latvia and cooperates with representatives of state and local authorities, employers, NGOs, and universities.

For employers, our support facilitates the resolution of a wide range of issues related to the recognition of professional qualifications, migration, housing, healthcare, social assistance, education, and cultural orientation. Since many of our clients are also job seekers, cooperation with the OSA can help facilitate workforce recruitment for your company.

The OSA provides consultations on employment-related matters, such as:

• What are the main steps for third-country nationals to enter the labour market?

• What are the responsibilities of the employer and the employee?

• What documents are required for starting employment?

• What support is available for refugees and persons with alternative status?

Information is available in Latvian, Russian, and English. If a client speaks another language, an interpreter is provided.

In situations that require involvement from other professionals (related to entering Latvia, unemployment, or barriers to accessing services), a Change Agent from the One-Stop Agency is engaged to provide long-term support. In addition to individual consultations, the agency also offers translation services in more than 24 languages, legal assistance, and — starting in June — psychological and psychotherapeutic consultations.

Since the OSA began operating, more than 6,000 consultations have been provided across Latvia. Citizens of Ukraine, India, Russia, Belarus, Morocco, and other countries have used these services. The most frequently addressed topics include information on residence permits and citizenship, family reunification, employment opportunities, and access to Latvian language courses.

The OSA branch for the Vidzeme region is located in Valmiera, at Meža iela 7. Clients are welcome to contact Change Agent Jolanta Cērpa at +371 27056529 or via email at [email protected], and Client Consultant Marta Svensone at +371 29809184 or [email protected]. Please book an appointment in advance for in-person consultations.

According to the State Employment Agency, the unemployment rate in March 2024 was 3.9% in Valmiera Municipality and 3.8% in Cēsis Municipality — among the lowest in Latvia. However, business representatives in the Vidzeme region acknowledge that as business activity grows, workforce availability becomes an increasingly pressing issue. According to the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, employers face shortages of both low-skilled and highly qualified workers. Therefore, the employment of newcomers should be encouraged by addressing the current obstacles that hinder it.

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%).