Towards an open business culture in Latvia

In November DELNA published specific guidelines for business transparency confirming that most companies around the world have dealt with corruption or corruption attempts in the course of their operations, yet many companies still lack effective anti-corruption programs and the skills to assess them. Weak anti-corruption programs risk exposing companies to further instances of corruption, undermining their reputation and competitiveness, hindering the attraction of foreign investment and negatively affecting public perceptions of the business environment in general. Public disclosure of anti-corruption measures and data is one of the main ways to facilitate communication in order to increase public trust in the business environment. Proactive reporting shows that a company has nothing to hide and that it cares about public opinion while giving stakeholders the opportunity to review and comment on its practices. Read more

Strengthening the judicial system and supporting whistleblowers

On December 9, DELNA celebrated International Anti-Corruption Day expressing gratitude to people who are reporting wrongdoing in Latvia and emphasizing the necessity to protect whistleblowers. Although Latvia's whistleblowing experience has been recognized as the best in Europe, there is still a place for improvement, namely, in fostering public discussions on whistleblowing benefits and advising whistleblowers.

In October DELNA, the United States Embassy in Latvia and the Transparency Fund held an international online expert forum and discussion “Law and system of justice: a tool to fight corruption” to raise awareness and understanding of the rule of law in Latvia. This includes specialization of courts and prosecutors in combating economic and corruption-related crimes, training of investigators, prosecutors and judges, and the establishment of a common methodology for judges, ensuring that similar cases are decided in a consistent manner. Read more

Citadele becomes a co-host of Future Hub

Citadele banka has joined the 2nd program of Future Hub as a co-host that was implemented from September to December 2021. Thanks to this program start-ups had the opportunity to work on current sustainability challenges together with leading companies. The aim of this program is to promote sustainable innovation collaboration across industries. Read more

Winners of Baltic Sustainability Awards announced

AmCham was an Ecosystem Partner of first ever Baltic Sustainability Awards and also contributed in the selection of the winners of Impact category represented by the jury member Liene Dubava, AmCham Vice President. Over 300 applications have been submitted and 24 outstanding sustainability innovation achievements selected as finalists. More about the vinners in their video presentations. Read more

SEB sets new climate ambitions goals

SEB’s sustainability strategy going forward outlines the bank’s role in the transition towards a sustainable society, including supporting their customers in their climate transition and reducing SEB’s fossil exposure. As part of this strategy, the bank has set new ambitions and goals within the climate area consistng of a Carbon Exposure Index, a Sustainability Activity Index, and a Transition Ratio. Read more

Sustainable solutions for the parquet industry

Latvijas Finieris recently introduced unique RIGA ECOlogical birch plywood, in which biological lignin is used as a substitute for traditionally used fossil phenol. This innovation is especially important for the parquet industry, where birch plywood is commonly used as the support layer of parquet floors in public and private spaces, and end customers demand solutions not harmful to one’s health. Read more

Improving healthcare access to Latvia's children

Having just welcomed the Children’s Hospital Foundation into the AmCham community, we are delighted to report on numerous projects implemented by the Foundation, including a community initiative for children with autism spectrum disorder, donation campaign for the Parents’ House, introduction of a standard procedure for characterizing childhood malign tumors and individually tailored social rehabilitation services. Other activities range from providing the Children’s Hospital with medical equipment and scholarships for the doctors to providing support for individual patients and their families in emergency medical situations. Read more

Swedbank launches employee volunteering initiative

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and limited options for face-to-face activities, more than 710 Swedbank employees participated in the employee volunteering initiative “Let’s Do It Together!” in 2021, contributing more than 2100 hours to various community projects and causes. The initiative includes more than 10 different activities, such as Blood Donation Day, food donation activity in partnership with the Samaritan Association of Latvia and a jury panel for youth business plan competition “Business Sketches”. Some activities were initiated this year like nature cleanup teambuilding events together with World Wildlife Foundation and Nature Conservation Agency. Read more

Luminor donates €12 000 “Dod pieci!”

This year, Luminor Bank is donating  €12,000 to “Dod pieci!” (High Five!), inviting the community to help people with visual, hearing or mobility impairments - for the installation of ramps and lifts, the improvement of people’s homes and satisfying other needs related to improving the accessibility of the environment outside public infrastructure. “This year, the pandemic once again prevents us from actively celebrating Christmas, so we would like to redirect the funds earmarked for customer and partner gifts to support the charity marathon. We invite everyone, including businesses, not to remain indifferent and to take part in this charity project, making the lives of their fellow human beings more complete,” says Kerli Gabrilovica, Head of Retail Banking. Read more

John Tully pledges €20 mln to the Children's Hospital

This December John Tully, President of AmCham and CEO of MikroTik pledged EUR 20 million in support of the Children's Clinical University Hospital of Latvia in order to continue its digital transformation and create an innovation environment that will ensure better health outcomes for children. "Having read about existing developments in partnership with other supporters and ambitious innovation plans, I have realized that the potential of the hospital is to become an international excellence center in pediatrics. The funding is only one part of what is needed, and with my pledge, I hope to urge other patrons to support the establishment of a modern, world-class children's hospital," says John. Read more

Ellex Klavins supports "Art Restoration at the Museum"

On December 1, law firm Ellex Klavins in collaboration with the Latvian National Museum of Art launched project “Art Restoration at the Museum”. It is a continuation of previous project “The Story of One Painting”. In each video, the restorers of the Latvian National Museum of Art either introduces viewers to the process of restoration or informs about various interesting topics. A broad spectrum of visual arts spheres is represented in the collection, including painting, sculpture and objects, photography and video, as well as mixed-media installations, interdisciplinary projects, and design artworks. Read more

COBALT joins Mindful Business Charter

COBALT as one of the first companies from the Baltics recently joined the Mindful Business Charter to foster better working practices for mental health and wellbeing. The Charter brings organizations and their service providers together to reach a shared agenda for mental health and wellbeing. "Taking care of our most valuable asset, our colleagues, has been very important for COBALT at all times. Nowadays, with growing uncertainty in the world, paying attention to our colleagues' mental health and wellbeing is of utmost significance, " says Dace Silava-Tomsone, Managing Partner. Read more

AmCham raises €2600 for its principal charities

On December 2, the Chamber raised €2600 through the Virtual Christmas Charity raffle benefiting its principal charities: Bezvests.lv, Latvian Foster Family Association, Pink Train Foundation, RMHC Latvija and SOS Children’s Villages. As a result of members' donations the charities will be able to promote healthy development of Latvia's children and their rights to grow up in a family environment as well as support women who are affected by breast cancer and families of missing people. Let's spread some Christmas joy and continue to support them! Read more

Caring for children's health

Since 2011 the Care Mobile program of Ronald McDonald House Charities Latvija (RMHC Latvija) has performed more than 1140 visits to 440 locations and provided over 47 000 medical consultations to children all across Latvia. To improve and extend their services RMHC Latvija will highly appreciate both financial and in-kind donations of services and goods. RMHC is also looking for pro-bono accounting services, graphic design and printing services as well as administrative social media services. In addition, the Care Mobile requires some repair and electrician services, furniture and a couple of portable PCs and a printer. Read more

Support families of missing people

BEZVESTS.LV, the only volunteer organization providing missing persons search in Latvia since 2009, has found 139 people in more than 1640 search operations. Despite the complicated situation caused by the pandemic, this year BEZVESTS.LV has organized up to 200 search operations, trainings for volunteers as well as introduced a new search device. Currently they are looking for a special equipment and transport that would help their volunteers to become more effective in the search operations. Read more

Help survivors of breast cancer

The Pink Train Foundation aims at ensuring professional, psychological support and physiotherapy to women diagnosed with breast cancer. As there are often long waiting lists for state provided physiotherapy, the foundation aims to provide these supporting services as soon as necessary in order to help women retain their physical and emotional balance during this challenging time. All donations big or small are greatly appreciated, so that the foundation can continue its mission of support and awareness. Read more

Brighten up Christmas for SOS Families

SOS Children's Villages Latvia, an organization providing long-term family based care for over 1200 children who have lost their parents all across Latvia, would like to receive donations of sweets, Christmas trees, bicycles as Christmas presents and/or financial donations to support their ongoing activities. You are also welcome to purchase Christmas greeting cards made by the kids and youngsters who live in the SOS Children’s Villages.  Read more

Bring joy to foster families this Christmas

The Latvian Foster Family Association who takes regular care of more than 200 families raising 502 children in different regions of Latvia, is holding campaign "Christmas Angels" and is looking for donations to support the children in foster care. As every year the Association welcomes both financial and in-kind donations to support the children in foster care. Read more