Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, visited Latvia on 2 February 2023. Her visit marked the launch of the €4.6 billion Partnership Agreement with the country, commencing cohesion policy programmes for the 2021-2027 programming period under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The mission also offered the opportunity to highlight how previous funding has reached some of Latvia’s most vulnerable.
The launch also included a visit by Commissioner Ferreira to ‘Pērle’ (‘Pearl’), a multifunctional social services centre in the North of Latvia. Constructed with a contribution of over €1 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the building where the centre operates applies New European Bauhaus principles, connecting the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences, and won the 2022 National Architecture Prize.
The centre now provides community-based social services in the Cēsis municipality, as well as other municipalities of the Vidzeme region – thanks to over €9 million in funding from the European Social Fund (ESF).
Support for independent living
The multidisciplinary centre promotes independent living, working to build a service system that provides individuals with limited self-care abilities due to a mental disability the necessary support to be able to live at home or in a family environment. The services in Pērle help families to overcome obstacles related to their disability by helping participants to develop self-determination and confidence, preventing social exclusion for people with disabilities.
The centre supports foster families and a respite service, as well as specialised workshops for individuals with muscular dystrophy – ensuring these individuals and their families receive the support they need to make the most out of their community.
Ilmārs, a project participant, was happy with the skills he learned through the project, stating, ‘I learn sewing from Nora because I like working with a sewing machine, it's very cool. I have also learned how to make mats from Elita, which I make from braids of used fabric. I have learned image processing skills on computers from Daniela. I have very good friends here. I like to be together with everyone. Then I feel good and safe. I always come here with pleasure. I feel satisfaction when I have done a good job!’‘
The activities of the social services centre have benefitted hundreds of people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, including nearly 500 children. Many of them acquired skills promoting independent living and have succeeded in living in a group home.
To build on this success, the operation of Pērle will be continued with funding from ESF+.