On Tuesday, 9 June 2026, the regular meeting of Latvia’s regional remigration coordinators took place in Riga at the premises of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM). Although the coordinators work closely together and communicate regularly online and at various events, this was the first official in-person meeting attended by the new Latgale Regional Remigration Coordinator, Jeļena Mihasenko.
Representatives from all five regions, together with Zigmar Erts, Head of the Regional Support Instruments Division at VARAM, and Senior Expert Vita Ziemele, discussed the most pressing issues related to the work of remigration coordinators, the draft diaspora engagement plan for 2027–2029, and upcoming activities. Another important topic that received considerable attention was the newly launched coordinators’ website, Remigracija.lv. The website is already operational and available to anyone seeking information about returning to Latvia and the remigration coordinator network. It also provides access to statistics and research, stories of Latvians who have returned home, and the latest news and developments in the field of remigration. Most importantly, the website features an easily accessible “Get in Touch” contact form for those considering a return to their homeland.
The work of remigration coordinators is largely based on cooperation and partnerships. During the meeting, the coordinators met with Karolīna Auziņa, a representative of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF), to discuss an educational webinar being planned by SIF for employers on the integration of remigrants into the labour market. They also visited the museum and research centre “Latvians in the World” (LaPa Museum), where discussions with Executive Director Uldis Dimiševskis and Museum Educator and Communications Specialist Danute Grīnfelde generated several ideas for future collaboration.
The joint meeting in Riga once again demonstrated that promoting remigration is a team effort. The newly established website Remigracija.lv will help coordinators provide even more effective support to Latvians considering a return home, while closer cooperation with public institutions and cultural organisations may contribute to the successful integration of diaspora members into Latvian society and the labour market.