I am continuing this series of blog posts about everything happening in our association. This time, I would like to share more about two projects that have allowed us to restart our storytelling evenings featuring returnees and newcomers.

Why do we develop and implement projects in the first place? Simply put, to attract resources that help our association grow, benefit the local community, and create a platform where our community’s unique global experience does not disappear, but instead turns into real action and inspiration. These public events have become an important part of our association’s identity and public image.

LAPAS Project: “Our Experience Stories: The Global South”

Lately, you may have noticed that we have hosted several events dedicated to different countries and experiences beyond Europe. This has been possible thanks to the project “Our Experience Stories: The Global South” by the association Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS).

As part of this project, we have already heard stories about life and challenges in China (Viktorija Singa), Brazil (Solange Karlauskis and Laila Stancioff), Oman (Pēteris Lauriņš), and Sri Lanka (Pamudi Rajapaksha), as well as organised an excellent and practical workshop for young people — “A Short Guide to Saving the World” (Marta Bergmane).

In March, we will visit Cēsis, where we will hear local resident Santa Zvirbule speak about her years in China and Mexico. In April, this will be followed by another workshop for young people on how to get involved in addressing global challenges.

The aim of this project is to help young people understand that global issues — such as climate justice, women’s rights, or access to education — are not just distant and abstract ideas. Through the personal stories of returnees and newcomers, we speak about these issues in a vivid, concrete, and accessible way, while encouraging critical thinking and a broader view of the world. At the same time, this is an opportunity for our association to engage young people in Latvia, encouraging them to go out into the world and gain international experience, while already from the start keeping in mind the idea of returning home.

Neighbourhood Residents’ Centre Project: “Stories of Global Experience for Riga”

The second major piece of news — and something I am genuinely very happy about — is that we have received support for a new project, “Stories of Global Experience for Riga”, co-financed by the Riga Neighbourhood Residents’ Centre (RAIC).

From April through November, we will meet once a month to continue our storytelling evenings at Startup House. In total, there will be eight themed events featuring one or two storytellers, a moderator, and, of course, delicious snacks.

Why is this project so important to us? Many of us know the feeling of returning home and experiencing reverse culture shock, which can often lead to social isolation. This project was created to bring together people with international experience and young people in Riga who are only beginning to think about going abroad. We want to strengthen the idea that leaving is not a form of escape, but rather a purposeful way of building knowledge, experience, and networks — so that later this capital can be invested back into Latvia and Riga.

For the association and its members, this is also an opportunity to become mentors for young people, step outside their usual circles, and meet others in an informal setting — people who understand similar experiences and who are eager to explore new horizons.

In Summary

Through these two projects, we are doing more than simply organising events. We are building bridges between people and communities, supporting one another, and helping our society become more open and better able to adapt. If, until now, we have mostly looked at remigration as the final stage of a life cycle, we are now broadening our perspective to include the very beginning as well — the period before leaving, when uncertainty is often at its greatest.

A huge thank you to everyone who is already actively involved, both as storytellers and as organisers. I invite everyone to follow our updates and join us at the upcoming events.

Wishing you a sunny start to spring,
Ģirts Smelters