The deadline for submission of the diaspora project proposals at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is 6 August, and according to the ministry, "priority will be given to projects dedicated to the centenary of proclamation of the Republic of Latvia."
The assessment of applications will take place in mid-August.
However, the ministry also added that "An additional deadline of 1 October has been planned, subject to the availability of funding in support of the diaspora" and that "the internal regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Procedures for supporting by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Latvian diaspora and projects developed by the diaspora organisations, have been adjusted" to introduce "a more effective and transparent system for the assessment of projects."
"From now on, the applications will be evaluated against more detailed criteria – project justification, quality and the budget – and the conformity of the projects with the Foreign Ministry’s objectives for allocating the diaspora funding, results to be achieved and target audiences, as well as budget adequacy in relation to the planned activities," the ministry promised, while adding that the adjusted regulations "do not considerably change the requirements set to applicants."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received 125 project applications this year, 83 of which have been supported fully or in part.
Full details are available at the official webpage (in Latvian only) giving the rules for applicants.
