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In August 2021, we carried out a study of the needs of socially isolated people in the Preiļi and Līvāni districts of Latvia. The aim was to identify the real situation of social exclusion in rural areas of Latvia in order to provide a more complete picture of the needs of socially excluded groups and thus contribute to regional development policy, especially from the perspective of social inclusion. The qualitative research approach was chosen to acquire information: interviews with representatives of socially excluded groups and semi-structured interviews with professionals working with different categories of socially excluded people. Social exclusion is a sensitive topic for those who are socially disadvantaged, so the basic principles of research ethics were strictly observed: personal autonomy, non-harm, confidentiality and fairness. The study found that the most pronounced form of social isolation is exclusion from the labour market. People who are unemployed, are trapped in a ‘poverty cycle’ from which they cannot escape without the help of social institutions. The information obtained does not confirm the long-standing assumption that long-term unemployed are mere ‘consumers of the system’, nor does it confirm the assumption that socially isolated people have high expectations of a high salary. Sometimes existing attempts to improve the situation of socially isolated people are not in line with their real needs, thus failing to achieve the intended goal. In general, the specificity of the region is such that there are no mass one-size-fits-all solutions, but each situation and problem has to be tailored individually [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focus on increase of urban to rural migration in recent decades, which led population growth in many rural communities in in Latvia's countryside. The Covid-19 pandemic, with its restrictions, has also indirectly encouraged the move of city dwellers to the countryside. Newcomers as a separate category of rural residents receive special attention in scientific literature and research. The potential of newcomers has been studied in Latvia to a limited extent. The aim of research is to evaluate the impact of newcomers in various rural territories of Latvia. The study was conducted using the qualitative research approach - focus group interviews and semi-structured interviews. The results of the study reveal the experience of successful use of the economic and social potential of newcomers in the rural areas of Latvia. The vision, knowledge, skills and experience of newcomers enrich and empower local communities, contribute to the spread of remote work in the countryside, the creation of new economic practices, the development and recognition of places/territories. Newcomers are a significant human resource asset for any rural community, especially in remote and depopulated rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulations for restricting the Covid-19 virus set by the Latvian government, which entered into force on March 13, 2020, caused significant changes in the operation of outlets and consumer behavior. At the onset of the emergency, Latvia, like many parts of the world, experienced uncoordinated collective behavior that could potentially lead to significant changes in food supply chains. Therefore, one of the research directions of The National Research Program project "Towards the Post-pandemic Recovery: Economic, Political and Legal Framework for the Preservation of Latvia's Growth Potential and Increasing Competitiveness" (recovery-LV) (2020) was to find out how the Covid-19 crisis Restrictions have changed buyers' habits towards buying and consuming food. The article summarizes and analyses the research results of the content analysis, semi-structured interviews and survey conducted within the project. An analysis of the results shows that, as a result of the crisis, consumers are less likely to visit outlets, cook more often at home and choose more locally sourced food. It was concluded that the consumer agitation regarding the purchase of food products in 2020 was short-lived, which later returned to the usual limits of the habits of various socio-demographic groups of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to the principles of sustainability in the acquisition of different funds and financial instruments is one of the basic conditions for obtaining funding. In the field of cultural project management, sustainability is more difficult to assess because the concept of culture is multifaceted and not always quantifiable. Identifying and promoting the sustainability of the results of cultural projects outside large cities and in rural areas is particularly important, as each project implemented should serve the growth and cultural development of the area. Unfortunately, the lack of research on this issue proves the need to invest a great deal in identifying and analysing the situation. There is a lack of studies analysing the contribution of cultural projects to the development of regional territories and their long-term benefits. To do this, the research set a goal: to study the practice of ensuring sustainability of results of cultural projects in Zemgale planning region, Latvia. The research used quantitative and qualitative research methods - content analysis of Zemgale Planning Region municipal websites, document research and analysis of Zemgale Planning Region (state institution), as well as semistructured interviews. The study reveals certain practices that municipal authorities are pursuing to ensure the sustainability of cultural projects, such as linking different activities, using the 'project basket' principle etc., but overall it has to be concluded that sustainable cultural project management still needs to be expanded and improved. There is often a lack of links and feedback between project applicants and final beneficiaries. There are no clear indicators to measure sustainability. New approaches need to be found not only to learn how to integrate sustainability principles into project management, but also to introduce a set of convenient and practical steps to make the desirable sustainability scenario described in theory a common practice in cultural project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Latvia, many of recent cultural activities have been established and developed as a response to decreasing of economic activities as well as shrinking processes of population and institutions in rural territories. The aim of the paper is to analyse the development strategies of five planning regions of Latvia in order to examine the role of cultural resources and activities in terms of regional development. The paper consists of the theoretical review of culture-led strategies as well as the content analysis of actual planning strategies of five planning regions of Latvia. Qualitative approach of content analysis is used in the examination of current planning documents of regional development. The main results of the research reveal that culture in itself is considered an important part of regional development, however, more in terms of entertainment and consumerism. Cultural resources are seen as attractive resource for tourist attraction and making environment appealing for the creative class. Rebirth of old crafts and products is highlighted as a significant part of culture-led strategies. Relatively higher level of the usage of cultural resources is described in a planning region where culture is seen as an integrated part of economic, environmental and social activities. The analysis of the institutionalization of culture-led strategies in planning documents in Latvia helps to understand both regional policies and social processes in regions. The usage of culture-led strategies varies from mechanical and likely isolated approach to an integrated and systemic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government-citizen communication is a prerequisite for the place development and sustainable development. The latest communication theories emphasize the responsibility of local authorities to build communication with local people, to develop safe and sustainable communities, to provide services and infrastructure, to develop horizontal communication networks to promote community development and trust and reduce social distances between social agents. The aim of the article is to explore government–citizen communication in rural municipalities of Latvia from the viewpoint of local citizens. Tasks are related to describing of theoretical statements concerning governance–citizen communication in the light of sustainable development and analysing empirical information. Results of the research indicate average estimation of the communication with local government and the significance of informal communication networks in rural communities. Though municipalities in rural areas use different communication channels, including modern solutions, the situation analysis reveals a certain discrepancy with theoretical concepts and other research results, because rural municipalities in Latvia are more characterized by a "top-down" communication model, which is often based on power relations, is one-sided and formal. Government-citizen communication in rural municipalities of Latvia is regarded as an up-to-date, but insufficiently identified and evaluated tool for the development of citizens' involvement and place development processes. Therefore, further investigation and exploring are necessary to improve understanding of government – citizen communication and establishing of horizontal cooperation ties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural depopulation and shrinking are common processes for Latvia during last few decades that call for different ways of revitalizing of rural territories and communities. As the authors of the paper have discovered, better results for economic and social revitalizing of rural territories are reached when all involved social agents (local municipalities, NGOs, entrepreneurs, museums, religious organizations etc.) are linked in a horizontal network and have found ways for mutual cooperation. At the same time, Latvia, as well as other Post-Soviet countries, experienced interrupted links of cooperation and trust during the USSR occupation in 1940-1990. After the restoration of independence of Latvia in 1990, traditions of civil society were distorted and people needed to build new self-organizing and cooperation forms. In the context of other studied rural territories (during the National Research Programme of Latvia ECOSOC-LV 2014-2018), Tirza village is found as a good practice of revitalizing local community and territory due to restoration of old traditions and combining them with the new ideas of local community. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to describe the transfer process of self-organizing and cooperation models in order to revitalize local rural territory in Tirza village. Selforganizing and cooperation patterns that existed before 1940, during the period of the Soviet Union, as well as current ones are described looking for the transfer mechanism behind these social practices. Qualitative approach of social researches was used. Document analysis of historical and contemporary sources as well as semi-structured group and individual interviews with involved social agents (2016-2017) were carried out. Main results reveal strong patterns of social memory and communities of practice in Tirza, on the one hand, and free space for establishing any patterns of revitalizing of rural territories in Latvia, on the other hand. The combination of above-mentioned factors leads to the successful territorial development and highlights the importance of local community as its driver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creativity is seen and described as crucial skill for young people as society and economics have gone through significant transitions recently. Creative thinking and action are considered as a tool to adapt to the labour market and rapid changes taking place in society. Educational system is that particular social institute that develops creativity through implementation of creative learning methods. However, as sociologists claim, the development of creativity is always rooted in social, economic, political, cultural system of the society that can force or block this process. Authors of the theses were involved in the project "Looking@Learning" (2015-2016) and conducted research during the implementation of creative learning methods both in formal and informal institutions of education. The aim of the thesis is to describe the experience of educators during implementation of creative learning methods highlighting contextual factors of the process. Qualitative analysis of educators' diaries was conducted. Results of the research show that the use of creative learning methods triggers positive functions both at individual and community level; good practices spread among formal and informal agents of education promoting collaboration. Social system is rather free to come in and develop new approaches to education; however the weakest point is almost absolute responsibility of individual teachers in the installation of creative learning methods. This process should receive some support for further institutionalisation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of the society is one of the core issues in sociology. Macro and micro perspectives are used in order to explain social development and social changes in societies. The youth is seen as a significant potential driver of social changes. The study of youth's reflections of existing social order permits to predicting issues and directions of development of the society. The aim of the theses is to find out what the main perceptions and reflections of youth are concerning current situation in Latvia in terms of the development of society. Qualitative approach was used, e.g. summative content analysis method of qualitative content analysis. Results of the research show that young people can identify main characteristics of Latvian society; they see the main points of necessary changes but they are not viewed as significant drivers of changes on macro level of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two parallel processes have been observed in rural territories in Latvia lately - depopulation, shrinking, centralization, on the one hand, and innovative activities, rebirth of places, building of community, on the other hand. It is seen as a part of common trends in rural territories where social and economic activities are considered to be a form of endogenous development in which economic activity is re-formulated so as to be based more firmly on local resources, physical and human. Latvian researchers have highlighted the emerging of the culture economy in Latvia recently that is seen in mutual exchange of goods and services, dense use of cultural products and heritage both on individual and collective levels. However, a variety of economic relations in rural territories in Latvia is not considered as being a powerful driving force for the renewal of rural territories yet. The aim of the research is to reveal models of the culture economy in the context of renewal of the rural territory and society. Results collected using qualitative social research approach reveal different models of using tangible and intangible culture resources bringing new economic forms to rural territories of Latvia. Those economic forms are quite fragile as they are small and do not provide high profit yet, however they bring out a set of developmental functions and are seen as a sign of healthy communities and renewal processes in rural territories. Planned and supported culture economy is seen as a tool for rural policy in Latvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renewal of society is a wide term in its original sense but in the context of the article, it is linked with issues of depopulation, territorial polarization and shrinking processes in Latvia. One of the "hot points" for local governments has been finding ways to attract people and promote development of rural territories for the past decades. Both theoretical and practical solutions for maintaining rural society and promoting renewal of society are the development of cultural environment. Cultural activities directly affect public participation, cooperation among the population, the development of creativity, and promotion of inclusive society, health and society renewal. As recent investigations show, cultural environment is broadly developing in rural territories of Latvia. The research of cultural environment as a potential for the renewal of society of Latvia is a novelty due to the beginning of the National Research Programme for the period 2014-2017 funded by the Government of Latvia (EKOSOC LV projects 5.2.4., 5.2.8.). The aim of the article is to analyze cultural environment as a potential for renewal of society in rural territories of Latvia. The research object is planning and development documents of local governments, different agents of rural territories. The research questions are the following: How do local governments link development of cultural environment to settlement patterns, population attraction, place development and renewal of society? How are these links reflected in planning and development documents of local governments and in point of view of different social agents in rural territories?. The results of the study reveal development of cultural environment in rural territories in Latvia. However, these practices are fragile yet and need support. They can bring forth new social and economic structures and serve as promoters of smart development of rural territories in Latvia. For this reason, local governments should create their own strategies in order to appreciate and support cultural activities as their potential for renewal of rural society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of creativity and innovation in addressing the economic, environmental and social crises has been recognized in policy discussions in Europe. The article discovers main results of the pilot study "State of Art: Creative Learning and Creative Teaching Environment in Latvia" that was carried out within the project "Looking@Learning" in 2015. The aim of the study was to gather initial information about creative learning and creative teaching environment in Latvia. The study outlines problems in the area of creative teaching environment in education system of Latvia, simultaneously viewing education policy documents and inspecting the actual situation in education institutions of Latvia. The study uses qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews and content analysis. In Latvia, creativity is defined as individual self-expression, ability to create new opportunities. Creativity is mostly developed by linking theory with practical activities, with everyday processes. Creativity is believed to be a mandatory skill necessary for every cycle of human life. Creativity is related to all individuals as attainable and developed skill. The main stimuli and initiators of creativity are different social agents in the environment of formal and informal education, local government, projects etc. that promote cooperation as essential prerequisite of creativity. These few 'key' people are essential, since they initiate and develop different activities, and different understanding of parties involved, acknowledgment and implementation of their opportunities and competencies are very important for reaching of common goals. The main obstructing factors are related to the lack of common understanding, goals and cooperation between parties involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewal of society is a crucial point of Latvia due to depopulation, spatial polarization and shrinking processes taking place during last decades. Latvia's shrinking population is a result of the interplay between natural and spatial population movements. Rural and peripheral areas are marked by emptying and ageing, accelerated by selective out-migration of young people. Renewal of society includes a set of interpretations concerning its quantitative and qualitative solutions, e.g., demographic solutions as increasing the amount of inhabitants as well as social, cultural and economical traits and practices. One of the tasks of local municipalities and other social agents has been to find ways of stabilisation of the rural population, to reverse the negative trends of economic and social decline, attracting people and promoting further development of rural territories during last two decades. The aim of the paper is to identify strategies of society renewal of different social agents in rural territories in Latvia. Authors have used qualitative approach of sociological investigation collecting 64 semi-structured interviews with representatives of local municipalities, entrepreneurs, and farmers, representatives of rural NGOs, experts and analyzing development strategies of rural local municipalities in Latvia in 2015-2016.1 The results of the research reveal that some of local municipalities develop quantitative approach of renewal of society - try to attract certain groups and categories of incomers, develop economic and social infrastructure. Some of them have chosen more qualitative or culture-based way of the renewal of society - activating local people, place branding, developing products rooted in cultural identity, merging formal borders between decision makers, building new structures etc. To conclude, qualitative strategies are seen as more suitable for developing of rural territories because high social capital and active civil society can solve different problems more effectively and are more sustainable in long-term period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth is viewed as a significant agent of sustainable development of the society. It is included in international programmes and regional and national planning documents. Simultaneously, youth activity, responsibility, and involvement in the solution of substantial issues are inadequate. The aim of this article is to investigate the aspects of youth capability that is linked to sustainable development of the society. In the article, the authors analyse the quantitative data gathered during the research "Solidarity Schools in the Baltic States" (2014)1 about the attitude of Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian school youth towards the aspects of sustainable development and their actions in promoting of sustainable development. Considering the common historical and socio-cultural experience of the Baltic States, it can be assumed that the influence of the present transformation processes on the youth is similar. The results of the research show that in contrast with the assumption the study of youth capability reveals both the similarities and statistically significant differences in the values and actions of the young generation in Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. In the area of values, youth are aware of the importance of sustainable habits but their actions do not always correspond with the principles of sustainable development. Considering that the compliance of values to actions is the measuring stick of responsibility; the youth of all three Baltic States demonstrate rather low level of responsibility. It is necessary to promote the implementation of the ideas of global education and sustainability into the everyday life, real social practices, since youth values and views comply with the principles of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There had been few studies performed on the place marketing of cities and towns in Latvia from the economic as well as sociological position. At the same time the place marketing and specialisation of cities and towns is determined by the globalisation tendencies and the aims of polycentric development in the regional policy. Cities and towns are considered the driving force of the development and one of the most significant agents of a region as a system. Semi-structured interviews with the heads, specialists, and parliamentarians of the local governments of cities and towns of Latvia had been used for the research purposes in order to find out the place marketing tendencies in Latvia. The results of the research show that cities and towns pay more and more attention to the place marketing, relating it to the economic development and enhancement of competitiveness. At the same time, the place marketing of cities and towns takes place individually, without taking into account and harmonisation of actions with other settlements in the region and country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) that started 2012, the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative "Innovation Union" specifies European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) as a new tool for speeding up innovation through linking existing policies and instruments. Based on the report "Innovation, Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability in Latvia" prepared by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2019, it analyses innovations in agriculture in order to promote further development of the sector. The agricultural sector has progressed more slowly than the economic sector and slightly more needs to be invested in order to ensure a well-functioning innovation system and a policy environment that would increase agricultural productivity and improve sustainability. The aim of paper is to reveal what prerequisites are necessary to promote the development of innovation projects in agricultural sector. The research based on analysis of documents exploring the views of European Innovation Partnership project managers on how the innovation process in European Innovation Partnership projects has taken place and what are the main preconditions for promoting the development of innovation projects, as well as observation and semistructured interview, in turn, exploring, which can contribute to the development of innovation projects. As a result of the research, 8 preconditions for the promoting development of innovation projects in agriculture were identified. The results of the research can have a significant impact on the development of innovation, identifying weaknesses, problems that need more attention and take specific activities to improve the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National and EU level documents predict even and well-balanced territorial development. The current rural development programmes point findings of new resources and new development ways. It means that every settlement (small town and surrounding rural areas) is unique, and has its own face. The emphasis laid on this uniqueness is the basic factor of sustainable development of the territory. Local municipality is one of the main actors of territorial development. Organisation theories distinguish providing the quality of life and sustainable development of territory as the aim of local municipality. The reaching of this aim is possible through different strategies. The aim of the article is to ascertain types of strategies employed by local municipalities in small towns of Latvia for sustainable development. The research results show that local municipalities of small towns recognize their role in the development of territory, and apply sustainable development oriented strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lisbon strategy of the European Union (EU) and the corresponding aims of sustainable development of the EU envisage economical and social cohesion of the society supplying equal opportunities for all the members of the society, involvement of every individual in the economical, political and social processes, consolidation of the society, integration and state development in common, as well. The unbalanced regional development of Latvia is recognized in the Basic statements of sustainable development of Latvia. Latvia becomes a typically monocentric state with fragmented administratively territorial system. The article analysed the current employment problems in small towns: providing with work place, the level of fee, work and social security, the migration's influence to employment, stereotype's influence of gender and age, as well as formal and informal influence of social network. There special attention is paid to eligibility of small towns to become Employment and Service Centre (ESC). Changes in rural society and in work patterns, employment modes and solving unemployment problems could facilitate towns as spatial and social mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]