On 24 October 2025 the project “Shoulder to Shoulder” implemented by the non-profit association “Park of Intellect” has been successfully completed. The project included a number of important activities aimed at supporting Ukrainian civilians and facilitating their inclusion in Latvian society.
The project’s activities included:
A Latvian-language learning programme for Ukrainian civilians – children and young people – in which 14 participants took part. Through these lessons pupils improved their knowledge of Latvian, which enhances their ability to communicate, study and integrate into the social environment in Latvia.
The development and implementation of an interactive business-support training programme titled “There’s a Place to Stay, There’s a Place to Start”, completed by 40 Ukrainian civilians. This 24-hour programme covered financial literacy, forms of entrepreneurship in Latvia, brand management, e-commerce, the creative industries and original works, as well as digital content creation. The training was delivered by competent specialists with many years of practical experience.
A particularly significant activity was “Consultations and prototype development for the start-up of Ukrainian civilians’ businesses”, in which 20 participants took part. During the consultations they received detailed support in the tax system, personnel recruitment and business-plan development, and analysed target audiences, competitors, service portfolios and pricing principles. This support enabled participants to structure and refine their business ideas.
As a result, a new enterprise was launched – Kateryna Shumarina opened “VILLA Studio”, offering massage, SPA treatments and retreat services, thus promoting both individual economic independence and the development of local entrepreneurship.
The project framework also included a volunteer-training programme titled “You Will Be Light”, in which 10 members of Intelekta Parks participated. Over 24 hours they were prepared to work as teacher-assistants in Latvian-language lessons for Ukrainian children and young people, gaining pedagogical, psychological and communication competencies and being introduced to practical work and shadowing experience.
At the project’s end we invited participants to provide feedback on the support received under “Shoulder to Shoulder”.
Feedback included:
“Thank you for the consultation and courses. I received lots of useful information. The lecturers shared their experience and valuable contacts for my project. In the programme, I received answers to many of my questions and I am still working on my company’s launch. Thank you for this opportunity and your work!” – Anastasija
“I am very satisfied with the free consultation. Although I have not yet opened my business activity, I am gradually moving toward this goal. I sincerely thank you for the consultation and the practical ideas for selling services.” – Yana
“Thank you for the meeting and consultation. It was on a professional level, I received many practical tips and answers to my questions. The courses were also very useful and interesting – I learned many new things. I am preparing for my project and planning to launch it next year.” – Ihor
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to receive such essential support. A huge thank-you for your work – you help a lot with integration.” – Kateryna
The results of the “Shoulder to Shoulder” project demonstrate how important it is to provide targeted, practical and humane support to those seeking a new start in Latvia. Learning the Latvian language, receiving business-support, individual consultations and training of volunteers have all delivered valuable outcomes – strengthened knowledge, new skills, a business launched and enhanced cooperation between Latvian and Ukrainian residents.
The project “Shoulder to Shoulder”, code 2024.LV/NVO_UKR/028/L7, is financed by the European Union.
The content of the project is managed by the Daugavpils University Lifelong Learning, Culture and Science Communications Association “Intelekta parks”.
