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Significant support has been received for the implementation of bilateral co-operation activities within programme “Correctional services”

In March 2020 with the support of Norway Grants 2020–2024 period programme’s “Correctional Services” joint bilateral initiative “The international cycle of conferences with participation of Norwegian and Latvian experts on issues topical for correctional services” was approved.

On 24 March 2020 the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia approved programme “Correctional Services” joint bilateral initiative “The international cycle of conferences with participation of Norwegian and Latvian experts on issues topical for correctional services” prepared by the Ministry of Justice of Republic of Latvia.

The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral co-operation and ensure a coordinated approach towards organizing international conferences between institutions of the Latvian and Norwegian correctional service system. In collaboration with donor partner to programme “Correctional Services” – Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service, close and successful partnership has been established and significant results achieved through the implementation of activities of the previous Norway grants planning period. Within the framework of the initiative in the period 2020-2024, Program Operator intends to organize common international conferences, with the participation of the highest level of correctional service experts from Latvia and Norway, focusing on relevant professional topics for both sides.

In the framework of the initiative, the following is planned:

To organise two high level-international conferences in Latvia, with the participation of Norwegian experts, as well as experts and representatives from other
Norway Grants beneficiary countries, focused on the topic of “Competence-based personnel policy” and “Research-based penalty execution policy”;
To cover the costs of the participation of the Norwegian experts in the planned international conferences, thus ensuring the provision of experience exchange in correctional services institutions both in Latvia and Norway.
To facilitate the participation Norway Grants 2014–2021 period programme “Correctional Services” experts from Latvia in conferences, experience exchange visits and working groups, therefore strengthening bilateral relations between Norway Grants beneficiary states and the donor state;
to ensure participation of representatives from Latvia and Norway in important international event “International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) conference”, which is organised every year and takes place in one of the world’s countries, and jointly participate and promote Norway Grants results and activities on the highest possible international level and thus expand cooperative opportunities.

Objectives attained in the framework of the initiative, the knowledge and practice gained, and solutions arrived will ensure the sustainability of previous Norway Grants period programme in Latvia and will create an international network of experts, as well as will provide opportunities to enable further improvement of the system for both Latvian and Norwegian correctional services and professional development of employees.

The total amount allocated for the implementation of the Norway Grants is 98 700,00 EUR.

Beneficiaries and target groups:

Ministry of Justice of Republic of Latvia as Programme “Correctional Services” operator as initiative promoter;
Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service as Programme “Correctional Services” donor programme partner as co-promoter of initiative;
University College of Norwegian Correctional Service as the main pre-defined project partner;
Latvian Prison Administration, State Probation Service and prisons as receivers;
Programme’s operators of Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Rumania as other international partners.

Working together for safe and inclusive Europe.