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NGO incubator strengthens project management and financial capacities in rural Latvia

Latvia’s first NGO incubator empowers civil society organisations in the Liepāja municipality by providing the necessary skills, tools, and mentorship to foster sustainable growth through community projects.
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  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
    • Latvia Location Type: Local
    Latvia Location Type: Local

    Summary

    The NGO Incubation programme of the Liepāja Impact Hub supports the development of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Liepāja and surrounding rural regions. The initiative addresses limited funding, resources, and organisational capacity by equipping local NGOs with essential skills in project management, communication, and financial planning.

    Between its launch in 2022 and 2024, the incubator supported 45 NGOs across diverse sectors such as culture, education, and environmental sustainability, raising over EUR 100 000 and initiating projects valued at EUR 610 000. 

    Results

    • The incubator has supported 45 NGOs during the period 2022-2024, strengthening their ability to deliver impactful projects. In the 2025-2026 period, the programme has planned expanding its services to 240 NGOs, which was made possible thanks to multi-funding.
    • Participating NGOs collectively raised EUR 100 000 through a combination of grants and donations, funding projects on education, culture, and environmental sustainability in rural and urban areas, valued at EUR 610 000.
    • The ‘Līvupes Elementary School Parents' Support Association’ is an incubator-supported NGO which promotes inclusion and provides leisure opportunities for children and young people with functional disabilities. Through the incubator, the association obtained social enterprise status in six months, which unlocked financial and legal benefits enhancing its impact.
    NGO incubator strengthens project management and financial capacities in rural Latvia
    Promoter
    • Impact Hub Liepāja, NGO
    Funding

    Budget: variable, depending on secured grants. For the 2025-2026 period, the secured budget is EUR 230 000

    Sources:

    • ‘Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values’ (CERV) programme
    • Erasmus+
    • Local funding from the Liepāja municipality
    • Donations

    Resources

    Documents

    English language

    NGO incubator strengthens project management and financial capacities in rural Latvia

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    Context

    The Liepāja municipality and its surrounding rural areas in the southern Kurzeme district face challenges such as declining populations, limited access to services, and limited NGO resources. Small villages, farmland, forests, and coastal areas in the southern Kurzeme district rely on NGOs to address social, economic, and environmental needs. However, local civil society organisations often struggle to attract funding and build organisational capacity, limiting their ability to make a lasting impact. 

    The NGO Incubation programme was set up to tackle these challenges by providing local NGOs with practical tools, training, and mentorship, enabling them to better serve their communities and promote sustainable development.

    Objectives

    • Enhance the role of civil society organisations in addressing community needs and promoting regional development.
    • Strengthen local NGOs’ capacity and sustainability in project management and development of financial strategies;
    • Facilitate fundraising opportunities and support NGOs in securing project resources.

    Activities, key actors, and timeline

    • The NGO Incubation programme was launched by the Liepāja Impact Hub in 2022 with an annual process to select beneficiary NGOs in Liepāja and surrounding rural areas. A public call for participants is announced each autumn. The selection takes place in December and is carried out by a jury consisting of representatives of the Liepāja Impact Hub and public authorities at local and national levels.
    • The seven-month long incubator (January-July) consists of monthly professional development workshops on project management, communication, and financial planning, equipping participants with skills to apply for grants and engage donors. Participating NGOs are guided in defining their goals and developing a sustainable operational strategy to achieve them through these group training sessions.
    • Individual mentorship sessions by experienced professionals offer targeted advice to each NGO’s specific organisational challenges, such as developing a revenue plan.
    • Fundraising initiatives support organisations in securing funding from local, national, and EU sources, enabling them to sustain their activities and expand their impact.
    • Participants are also guided in the implementation of projects addressing areas such as education, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability, which benefit both urban and rural communities.

    Success factors/lessons learnt

    • Tailored mentorship and training equip NGOs with essential skills to secure funding and implement sustainable projects.
    • A focus on fundraising and financial planning ensures long-term organisational viability.
    • Collaboration with funding organisations and mentors strengthens the programme’s impact and scalability.
    • The incubator model is replicable in other regions, provided there is adequate funding and stakeholder engagement.
    • The incubator programme showcases the importance of community engagement, capacity building, and tailored support in ensuring the success and sustainability of civil society initiatives.

    Contact Information