Training Cycle for Roma Community Representatives Concluded in Valmiera and Limbaži Regions
From 27 October 2025 to 9 January 2026, Valmiera Development Agency, in cooperation with project partners, implemented a training cycle for Roma community representatives. The aim of the programme was to strengthen participants’ skills, self-confidence, and opportunities to successfully integrate into the labour market and social life. The training cycle was successfully completed by 11 participants. The total duration of the training programme was 120 academic hours, and the sessions were held at the Aloja Roma Activity Centre and the Valmiera Co-creation Workshop DARE. The training was organised in a community-based, safe, and supportive environment, fostering trust, participation, and practical learning.
The training programme consisted of two complementary components – life skills and labour market skills. Within the life skills modules, participants explored the fundamentals of holistic health and well-being, strengthened their personal identity and values, developed motivation and a sense of belonging, as well as mindfulness and parenting skills. The labour market skills component focused on career development, digital skills for employment, financial literacy, preparation of professional CVs, job interview skills, and workplace culture.
A strong emphasis was placed on a practical approach throughout the training cycle. Participants not only acquired new knowledge but also learned how to apply it in real-life situations by developing personal career and development plans. Following the completion of the training, participants are expected to have the opportunity to gain practical work experience in companies in the Valmiera and Limbaži regions, thereby strengthening their acquired skills and supporting their integration into the labour market.
“These trainings demonstrated that by creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment, participants become active, motivated, and open to personal growth. During the programme, participants’ confidence in their own abilities increased significantly, along with their willingness to learn and engage in the labour market,” emphasise the project implementers.
The training cycle is part of the HERO project, which aims to improve employment opportunities for Roma community members in Latvia and Finland, while also reducing social exclusion and stereotypes. The project promotes not only individual development but also community cohesion, social inclusion, and mutual trust between communities, institutions, and employers.
Feedback from participants confirms the practical and inspiring value of the programme:
- “It was good that the trainers understood Roma culture and explained things in a clear and understandable way.”
- “Learning how to write a CV was very useful – it will really help when looking for a job.”
- “I liked learning about artificial intelligence and how it can be used in everyday life and work.”
- “The motivation topic was inspiring – there were examples of actors and other Roma people that showed we can achieve more.”
- “It was also important that we could learn from each other.”
The HERO project is implemented within the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 and is co-financed by the European Union.
The project is implemented in Latvia by Valmiera Development Agency and in Finland by Fida International.
Anete Todu
Communication Project Manager
Valmiera Development Agency
