International Cooperation Launched to Promote Roma Employment in Latvia and Finland

On May 1, 2025, the international project “HERO” was launched to improve employment opportunities for the Roma population in Latvia and Finland. As part of the project, participants will receive training in life skills and skills required in the labor market, thereby facilitating the inclusion of the target group into employment after a long period of unemployment.

The project will be implemented until October 31, 2026, with a total budget of €213,465.80, including €170,772.64 in funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

The project partners are FIDA International (Finland) and the Valmiera Development Agency (Latvia).

The direct target group of the project is members of the Roma communities in Latvia and Finland, while the indirect target group includes local municipalities, households, residents, small and medium-sized enterprises, and non-governmental organizations.

The main activities of the project will include:

• Organizing informational events aimed at engaging Roma community members in the project;
• Developing and implementing training programs in life skills and work-related skills;
• Providing up to 3-month internships in Latvian and Finnish companies for project participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge in practice.

It is planned that at least 30 Roma community members from both countries will participate in the project, with at least 21 participants receiving a certificate upon completion of the training program and internship.

On June 12, 2025, the first in-person meeting of the “HERO” project took place in Lahti, Finland, bringing together partners from Latvia and Finland. This meeting marked a significant starting point for the implementation of the Interreg Central Baltic region project, which aims to create a more inclusive working environment and provide real support to the most vulnerable members of society.

During the meeting, the implementation steps of the project were discussed, participants shared experiences and ideas, and a strong foundation for further cooperation was established.

 This activity was supported as part of HERO, an Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 project co-funded by the European Union.