Cooperation with NGOs

Organisations responsible for informing society and facilitating discussion about issues of security and defence policies of Latvia, Latvia’s participation in NATO, various issues of international relations and security are cooperation partners of the Ministry of Defence in the non-governmental sector. NGO sector performs researches of issues topical for the defence sector, informs and educates people about issues of military history, as well as popularizes the National Armed Forces.

The Union of Latvian National Partisans, the Latvian Officers Association, the Latvian Reserve Officers Association, the Latvian Soldiers' Memorial Society "Lestene" and the Latvian Riflemen Association, all supported by the MoD, unite soldiers of various generations and take part in the inspections of burial locations of soldiers killed in battles, organise nationalistic educational events for youth, participate at public events devoted to the Christmas Battles, Kalpaks’ Days, Cēsis Battles, Lāčplēsis Day, as well as the World War II battles in Vidzeme and Kurzeme, and the January Barricade Days etc. There is Delegation Agreement concluded with the Brothers’ Cemetery Commission on gathering information and arranging burial places of Latvian soldiers killed in world wars.

The MoD cooperates with the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) to raise awareness of international security issues and the importance of Latvia's membership in NATO. The MoD is one of the supporters of the annual international forum "Riga Conference" organised by LATO. The Riga Conference is one of the most important security and foreign policy forums in the Baltic Sea region, bringing together high-level foreign security and foreign policy experts, diplomats, politicians, academics, businesspeople, and media representatives every year.

The MoD has established successful and sustainable cooperation with the Latvian Civic Alliance, which has promoted the non-governmental sector's understanding of its role in comprehensive national defence and allowed it to test and improve its capabilities and resources in potential crisis situations by participating in various seminars, discussions, and training sessions organized by the MoD.

The Latvian Generals' Club was founded on September 10, 2007. Its goal is to bring together generals (admirals) and reserve generals (admirals) for joint cooperation in order to promote the activities of the National Armed Forces, encourage and support the resolution of current issues related to the development of the National Armed Forces.

On July 21, 2015, the National Defence and Patriotism Fund "Namejs" was established, with the aim of promoting patriotism in Latvian society, maintaining the memory of soldiers who have died in international operations, and supporting the development of the National Armed Forces and the fulfillment of their tasks in national defence.

The activities of the "Namejs" foundation are aimed at promoting initiatives and involving the public in civic and military patriotic education activities. The foundation operates in accordance with the guidelines set by the Minister of Defence in the field of national defense and in accordance with the instructions of the Commander of the National Armed Forces. The "Namejs" foundation focuses on the military and ethical education of young people, as well as the implementation of projects dedicated to preserving the memory of soldiers.

In implementation of international projects the MoD has developed a successful cooperation with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, which is one of the most influential funds in the USA. The Fund is working internationally promoting cooperation between the USA and Europe solving common global and transatlantic issues. The Fund provides scholarships and regularly organises international discussions on topical political issues in Europe and the USA, as well as performs research work. The centre of the Fund is located in Washington and it has seven offices – in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Bucharest, Warsaw and Ankara, as well as three smaller agencies – in Bratislava, Turin and Stockholm. Cooperation with the German Marshall Fund of the United States helps to ensure the participation of Latvia in high-level discussions on promotion of transatlantic cooperation and issues of international policy, as well as provides opportunity for Latvian NGOs to implement international projects and gain new experience. Ministry of Defence started cooperating with the German Marshall Fund of the United States in 2006 to promote participation of Latvia in international discussions and policy making on topical defence and security issues.