About us
“I Want to Help Refugees” (“Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem” or GPB) is a movement that supports beneficiaries of international protection* and promotes their systemic integration in Latvia.
We are working towards building an inclusive, understanding and supportive environment and society by advocating for the respect of human rights without discrimination, selflessly providing the necessary assistance and support to people on the move, mobilising resources during crises and in everyday situations and by creating sustainable solutions. GPB is making Latvia a place where beneficiaries of international protection can build a fulfilling life.
*Asylum seekers, people with refugee or subsidiary status and beneficiaries of temporary protection.
Our goals:
- Promoting a comprehensive, forward-looking and systemic approach to services for beneficiaries of international protection – to create and implement a unified approach to social, employment and rights-based services, so that the integration of the beneficiaries of international protection into Latvian society is as easy as possible, i.e. without process barriers.
- Maintaining regular long-term cooperation with international human rights organisations, organisations assisting beneficiaries of international protection and non-governmental organisations to gain practical and financial support, facilitate mutual cooperation, advocate for the rights and raise public awareness of the needs of beneficiaries of international protection.
- Maintaining an expanded, active network of NGO partners to strengthen the capacity of GPB and the NGO sector, to work more effectively in advocacy, to provide better quality services to more beneficiaries of international protection and to build an inclusive society.
- Advancing the responsibility and understanding of policy makers’ of the interests and needs of beneficiaries of international protection and related human rights issues, of possible solutions to complex issues, and of ways in which the beneficiaries of international protection can strengthen the diversity of Latvian society and contribute to Latvia’s development.
- Promoting the use of inclusive and neutral language and visual communication, fighting against hidden or unconscious prejudices.
GPB was founded by a group of like-minded people with the aim of volunteering their support for asylum seekers in Latvia in moments of crisis.
Since the group began its work in 2015, it has been supported by a team of around 200 volunteers. In 2016, GPB became an association and since then it has been providing various types of support, from basic necessities to helping with housing and finding a suitable job. When it is possible, GPB also helps with other needs beneficiaries of international protection might have. We provide the necessary support by mobilising our volunteer team, our social mentors, our staff, or by sharing information with the followers of the GPB Facebook group.
Since 2019, GPB in cooperation with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) supports returnees after secondary resettlement, providing them with the necessary means for a dignified life.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, GPB has provided multilateral support to refugees from Ukraine in Latvia, providing both information and practical assistance, as well as coordinating several teams of volunteers to provide immediate support. GPB has maintained and continues to sustain various informational platforms for both the Ukrainian civilian population in Latvia and the local population with information on the support available and about opportunities to help refugees. GPB has run the NGO information centre at the Riga Support Centre for Ukrainian residents since its inception.
GPB has been granted the status of a public benefit organisation and has registered three areas of activity – social protection, protection of civil and human rights, and advocacy.
In 2022, the organisation received the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers Award for its work.
Board
Egils Grasmanis
Council member
Ieva Raubiško
Council member
Ina Lenca
Council member
Elvīra Brinkmane-Druze
Board Member
Konstance Saltupe
Board Member
Nataliia Soldatova
Board Member
“I Want to Help Refugees” awards
The Human Development Award for selfless work from Civic Alliance-Latvia.
Civic Pride Award 2023 for actively working for the benefit of society and to support beneficiaries of international protection.
The Cabinet of Ministers Award 2022 for significant achievements in the development of the Latvian state, its scientific, cultural and social fields.
Volunteer of the Year 2022 award for socially beneficial volunteer work, promoting the interests and involvement of citizens and organisations in volunteering.
The Riga City Council Certificate of Appreciation for the contribution to the improvement of public welfare and the promotion of volunteer work in the Riga Municipality.
Certificate of appreciation from the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia for the support to Ukraine and its civilians in Latvia.
Letter of appreciation from the Minister of Interior for significant, selfless work in providing assistance and support to the civilian population of Ukraine.