1. Latvian NGDO Platform Bratislava March 14- 15, 2005

2. To create an environment favourable for Latvian NGOs and to provide opportunities for development co- operation at the national and international levels Aim:

3. Brief history Spring 2004- idea of founding LNGDO August 2004 - foundation of the Platform, start of active participation in CONCORD WGs, design of own and co-operation projects September, October - visits of Arjun Karki Rukmini Rao December 2004- design of DC information campaign with UNDP, MFA and the Soros Foundation- Latvia, official contract with the MFA

4. January 2005 - charity action to support victims of tsunami organised in collaboration with Latvian Red Cross March 9, 2005 - Training “The European Union and the Millennium Development Goals” End of March- Platform`s joint project design trip to Georgia, work on projects in the field of Development Education

5. Latvian NGDO Platform in figures 21 member organization 12 different fields represented 8 members of the Board 3 employees: director, director`s assistant, project coordinator, book keeper

6. Our partners in Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official co- operation contract, weekly/ daily contact) Soros Foundation - Latvia ( main 2004/2005 financial supporter) UNDP (co- operation partner of LNGDO Platform and MFA Civic Alliance - Latvia (lobbying, networking, information flow

7. Our Partners in Europe 1. TRIALOG 2. EUROSTEP 3. CONCORD 4. Other partners

8. Our Strengths Active participation in different WGs on European level and Lobbying High profile, standing and variety of the organisations represented in LNGDO Excellent co-operation with Latvian partners in the MFA and others Valuable experience of transformation country; experience in international projects Strong focus on PR, international and national networking; focus on development education for own members and Latvian society

9. The main challenges 2005 1. Public awareness rising campaign 2. Contacts in Saeima. Active lobbying (budget 2006). 3. Creating effective information flow and basic information repertoire 4. Development Assistance enters schools and raises quality in Universities. 5. Interaction with press and mass media

10. Goals 2005 At least one international large scale project (most probably in Georgia, Moldova or Ukraine) with Western European partner facilitation of accession of new member organizations Successful PR/ public awareness rising campaign

11. Accession CONCORD as a fully fledged member Creation of an effective feedback and information flow/ co-ordination system on both national and international levels

12. We are looking forward to fruitful co-operation! Your QUESTIONS are welcome!

13. Latvian NGDO Platform : Alberta iela 13, Riga, LV 1010 info@lapas.lv phone: 00 371 83 51 699 fax: 00 371 70 39 242