STRONGER TOGETHER

Project “Stronger Together” Partners Meet in Valmiera to Strengthen Cooperation and Promote Inclusive Employment

On March 27–28, 2025, a face-to-face meeting of partners from the international project “Stronger Together” took place in Valmiera. The event gathered representatives from the Valmiera Development Agency, the Latvian Samaritan Association, and the East Gothland Economic Association (Coompanion Östergötland Ekonomisk Förening).

The main objective of the meeting was to present two significant materials developed during the project’s second phase:

  • A training program for people with intellectual disabilities and other special needs, aimed at developing work-related skills, improving self-confidence, and fostering independence.
  • Guidelines for developing an anti-discrimination policy to support employers and organizations in creating an inclusive, equal, and respectful work environment.

The meeting in Valmiera also welcomed three experts from Sweden—Anna Soltorp (Coompanion Kalmar län), Sofia Larsson (Attention Östergötland), and Ragnar Andersson (Coompanion Östergötland). Their expertise and experience played a valuable role in refining the training program, helping to develop effective methods for greater workplace inclusion.

The two-day program featured practical examples from Latvia, discussions on the developed materials, and opportunities to pilot the project’s new concept, “Employee as a Service.”

The materials were presented by the project working group representatives: Karlīne Jākabsone, the project manager of “Stronger Together” at the Valmiera Development Agency, and Alise Vērse, a social entrepreneurship expert. Swedish partners provided professional feedback during the meeting and shared insights on similar initiatives in the Nordic context.

Meeting of project partners  –  Valmiera Development Agency, Samaritan Association of Latvia, and  Coompanion Östergötland and Swedish experts in Valmiera.

A key discussion topic was the “Employee as a Service” model, where partners analyzed the implementation possibilities and challenges in both Latvia and Sweden, considering public attitudes and necessary support mechanisms.

As part of the meeting, participants visited group apartments in Valmiera and support centers “Solis” (Valmiera) and “Laiva” (Rūjiena and Mazsalaca), where Inga Brente Mieze, a representative of the Latvian Samaritan Association, introduced the daily work, support service structure, and integration opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of the Memorandum on Promoting an Inclusive and Equal Work Environment—a shared vision outlining future steps to strengthen inclusive employment solutions in Latvia and Sweden.

The “Stronger Together” project is implemented with the support of the Interreg Central Baltic Program, fostering cross-border cooperation, equality, and opportunities for everyone to participate in the labor market.

The “Stronger Together” project will be implemented until April 2027 under the Interreg Central Baltic Sea Region Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2021-2027. The project is part of the sub-programme “Improved employability in the labour market”. The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Karlīne Jākabsone
Valmiera Development Agency
karline.jakabsone@valmierasnovads.lv
+371 27097013