The follow up event and awarding ceremony that took place On October 30 at Spīķeru Concert hall gathered more than 70 participants who discussed best practice examples and greeted the winners of the contest. Five finalists were selected from more than 60 applications, but the best of the best this time was Liepājas Association of Blind with rehabilitation centre “School of life”. This centre is created to give support and social rehabilitation to the persons with sight and other disabilities, to promote their mastering of the social skills, integration in the social life and return in to the work market.

Receiving the reward of the contest, leader of the Liepāja Association of Blind Māris Ceirulis said: „It is a big surprise for us. We didn’t expect that. Many thanks to jury for appreciating our work, because it is a pep-up and gives a courage for thought that it is a right direction. It is a good example for them whose courage is not so big to begin projects like this. For us it induces to more.”

In this contest any Latvian legal or private person, that has implemented any project during last 5 years, has helped, provided services to people with disabilities aiming at their education or employment was invited to participate. All best integration examples received to contest were evaluated by a jury comprising of experts, NGO’s and well-known people. 

Several promotion awards were awarded also to other four competition finalists: Velku society with project “Tactile stimulation program – special education support method.”, The National organisation of people with intellectual disabilities “Saule”, with project “I’m going to work”, Latvian Deaf Union with project “We – part of society” and society “We to our children” dance group “Little man”, with project “Let’s do all the things and all together”.

To mark other outstanding ideas and work some acknowledgment diplomas were presented some. From Ministry of Justice for complex work with people with disabilities for Social office from municipality of Balvu district; From Ministry of Education and Science to Mores primary school and Velku society;  Fund “Ziedot” gave appreciation to Inese Dragūne for self-denied supporting her son Emīls. But project “Learning Lab for integration” gave appreciation to society “Education initiation centre” from Jēkabpils.

A follow-up event was organised in two parts: a seminar allowing discussing the project results, the documentary produced within the project, introducing the best practice example data base etc. and discussion about people with disabilities integration possibilities in society in Latvia. The seminar was followed by awarding ceremony of the contest of best practice examples “We are strong”, with musical and entertaining performances of Samba de Riga and Royal Improvisation theatre.

Some pictures of the event are available on this website in section “Gallery”