HERO is a project that supports Roma employment in Latvia and Finland. Funded by the European Union, the project offers training and work placements for Roma communities while strengthening cross-border cooperation and the exchange of best practices.
In Latvia, around 70% of the Roma population are unemployed, and only 17% have education beyond the basic level. Barriers such as discrimination, social exclusion, low literacy, and limited digital skills make it difficult for many Roma to access and stay in employment.
To tackle these challenges, Fida International and the Valmiera Development Agency in Latvia launched the HERO project in May 2025.
The 18-month EU-funded initiative supports Roma integration into working life, focusing on the local Roma community in the Aloja municipality.
Tailored training programme
The HERO project offers a tailored training programme that addresses the specific needs of Roma individuals. The course at the Aloja Roma Activity Centre includes modules in life skills, literacy and numeracy, job market readiness, and practical training in woodwork and sewing. This is followed by a three-month on-the-job training period in local businesses to gain real work experience.
The Roma Activity Centre, built by Fida and the Valmiera Pentecostal Church, serves as a community hub offering spiritual support, hygiene facilities, and a safe space for learning and growth.
HERO not only strengthens job prospects but also empowers participants to make healthy life choices, manage their finances, and build a more hopeful future.
Same practices applied in Finland
The project also includes a parallel programme in Lahti, Finland, where Roma communities face similar barriers to employment despite the lack of official ethnicity-based statistics.
In Lahti, Roma participants undergo the same training and internship model as in Latvia. The project enables cross-border cooperation, learning and development of best practices between the two countries.
HERO is part of the European Union’s Central Baltic Programme, which promotes regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea area. Fida serves as the lead partner and facilitator of this joint effort between Finland and Latvia.
Main partner: Fida International
Local partner: Valmiera Development Agency, Latvia
Duration: 18 months (from May 2025)
Budget: €200,000
Funding: European Union – Central Baltic Programme
