Riga and the Riga Region

Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers a Business Event Co-Financing Programme.

The aim of the programme is to promote Riga’s competitiveness as a destination for business events in the region and to increase the number of international events and participants taking place in Riga through co-financing support.

Who Can Apply

• Legal entities registered in the Commercial Register;
• Higher education institutions and scientific organisations in Latvia;
• Associations or foundations registered in the Register of Associations and Foundations;
• Alliances of the above-mentioned legal entities.

Type of Support

Within the framework of the programme, support is available for the organisation of the following events:

• Conferences;
• Congresses;
• Training sessions;
• Corporate incentive trips that include training elements;
• International exhibitions.

For incentive trips, a minimum of 35 foreign participants is required.
For conferences, congresses, and exhibitions – a minimum of 50 foreign participants, staying at least one night in Riga accommodation establishments, and representing no less than 20% of all participants.

Support

EUR 20 per each foreign participant, after submission of the final report.

Availability

Calendar year.

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Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers the Accelerator and Incubator Support Programme.

The aim of the programme is to promote the growth of startup accelerators and incubators in Riga through co-financing, by supporting the activities of organisations whose daily work involves startup acceleration and incubation programmes.

Who Can Apply

Applicants whose daily activities are related to startups and the promotion of their development.

Type of Support

Co-financing for administrative expenses necessary to ensure the organisation’s operations, in accordance with the programme regulations.

Support

Up to EUR 40,000.

Availability

The competition is held once a year, at the beginning of the calendar year.

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Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers the Support Programme for the Relocation of Highly Qualified Specialists.

Who Can Apply

Companies that develop innovative, technology-based solutions with high added value and wish to employ highly qualified foreign specialists to support their further business development.

Type of Support

Financial support is provided only after all programme conditions are met:
within 3 months after receiving a positive decision and signing the agreement, the applicant must recruit a specialist, relocate them to Riga, employ them for at least 4 full months (with a minimum gross salary of EUR 2,500 per month), and submit a final report.

Support 

An applicant may receive EUR 1,500 per month per specialist for a maximum of 3 months.

Each applicant may receive support for up to 5 specialists.

Availability

Until the annual budget allocated for this support programme is fully used.

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Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers the Startup House Support Programme.
The aim of the programme is to promote the operation of startup houses within the administrative territory of the Riga City Municipality through co-financing. The programme supports the development of startup collaboration and clustering initiatives, fosters innovation, encourages the creation of new and scalable products, enhances the competitiveness of economic sectors and businesses, and contributes to export growth.

Who Can Apply

A developer of a startup centre that provides startups with necessary support, knowledge resources, networking, and collaboration opportunities.

Type of Support

Support is provided for ensuring the operation of the startup house — both maintaining the space and its activities, and promoting startup development by offering discounts on services provided by the startup house.

Support

EUR 150,000 per year.

Availability

The competition has been completed; a winner has been selected and a contract has been signed, valid until the end of 2026.

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Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers the Startup Ecosystem Support Programme.
The aim of the programme is to promote the growth of the startup ecosystem in Riga through co-financing, by supporting the activities of organisations whose daily work involves the development of startups (www.em.gov.lv/lv/jaunuznemumi).

Who Can Apply

• Legal entities registered in the Commercial Register;
• Institutions listed in the Unified Register of Public Entities and Institutions;
• Associations or foundations registered in the Register of Associations and Foundations;
• Alliances of the above-mentioned legal entities.

Type of Support

Co-financing for the organisation of various startup-themed events, such as conferences, training sessions, consultations, and networking activities.

Support

The maximum available co-financing per event is up to EUR 20,000.

Availability

The competition is held once a year, at the beginning of the calendar year.

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Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers the Diaspora Relocation Support Programme to attract highly qualified specialists.

Who Can Apply

Highly qualified specialists who are planning to return or have returned to Latvia within the last six months (180 days).

Type of Support

To receive support, the applicant’s first declared place of residence must be in Riga, and their gross salary for the last four months must be at least EUR 2,500 per month.

Support Amount

A one-time payment of EUR 1,845.

Availability

Until the annual budget allocated for this support programme is fully used.

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Program description

The Riga City Municipality offers the “Riga Film Fund” to support the production of foreign films in Riga.

Funding is available for film projects planned to be shot in Riga and elsewhere in Latvia.

Who Can Apply

A film producer registered in the European Union who, at the time of application, has signed a cooperation or co-production preliminary agreement expressing the intent to shoot a film in Latvia, involving the services of a film producer registered in Latvia.

Type of Support

Format: Feature films and TV series — fiction or documentary.

Eligibility criteria:

• The total budget of the foreign film project must be at least EUR 700,000;
• Confirmed financing must cover at least 50% of the film’s total costs;
• Filming must be completed, and a final report submitted by 30 November 2025.

Support

• 25% of eligible expenses, if the main film activity takes place in Riga or if Riga’s depiction, according to the storyline, constitutes a significant part of the film (at least 20% of screen time), and if the project is carried out at least partially within the administrative territory of Riga City;
• 20% of eligible expenses, if filming takes place elsewhere in Latvia.

Availability

The call for applications is typically announced in March/April.

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Program description

The Riga State City Municipality offers support to entrepreneurs conducting business activities in ground-floor premises with street access within the Historic Centre of Riga and its protection zone.

Who Can Apply

Entrepreneurs who own or rent publicly accessible premises in the Historic Centre of Riga and its protection zone, or who carry out business activities there - for example, in shops, cafés, or office spaces.

Type of Support

Co-financing may be granted for the following activities:

• Renovation of premises and improvement of accessibility;
• Installation of landscaping or improvement elements;
• Design and decoration of shop windows;
• Design and installation of signage;
• Compensation of rent payment for up to one month (if the rental agreement has been signed within the last 3 months).

When submitting an application, only one of the supported activities may be chosen.

Support

The co-financing amount is up to 90% of project costs:

• Up to EUR 5,000, if the rental agreement is valid for 2 to 3 years;
• Up to EUR 10,000, if the rental agreement is valid for more than 3 years.

The co-financing is provided as de minimis aid.

Availability

Applications are open from 1 February to 31 August of the respective year by completing the electronic application form and sending the documents by email to aic@riga.lv or via e-address.

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Program description

The Riga State City Municipality offers support with the aim of stimulating economic activity and encouraging resident engagement during the periods from January to April and September to December.

Who Can Apply

Entrepreneurs who wish to organize public events in the Historic Centre of Riga and its protection zone.
Support may be received by a group of at least three micro or small enterprises organizing a public event with free admission.

Type of Support

Co-financing may be granted for the following activities:

• Fees for artists, event hosts, and technical staff;
• Production and project management expenses;
• Rental of the event venue and technical equipment;
• Visual design of the event space (excluding advertising materials);
• Security and publicity costs.

Support

• Co-financing may cover 50% of eligible costs if the event takes place indoors.
• If the event is held in a public outdoor space, support may cover up to 75% of eligible costs.
• The maximum support amount per project is EUR 20,000.

Co-financing is provided as de minimis aid.

Availability

Applications are open:

• From 1 January to 31 March (for events taking place September–December);
• From 1 July to 30 September (for events taking place January–April of the following year).

Applications must be submitted electronically by filling out the application form and sending the required documents to aic@riga.lv or via e-address.

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Program description

The Riga State City Municipality offers financial support to social entrepreneurs to promote and strengthen their operations.

Who Can Apply

• Limited liability companies (SIA) that have obtained or plan to obtain social enterprise status, and that already operate or plan to expand their business activities in Riga.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that already operate or plan to expand their business activities in Riga, with the intention to establish an SIA and obtain social enterprise status.

Type of Support

Eligible costs include:

• Construction of ramps, leveling of thresholds, widening of doorways, and adaptation of hygiene facilities to ensure accessibility;
• Preparation of construction documentation related to the activities planned in the project;
• Costs for accessibility consultations, audits, expert assessments, and studies;
• Expenses related to the commissioning of the building;
• Installation of tactile surfaces, contrasting colors at level and surface changes, markings, pictograms, handrails, equipment, and furnishings that ensure accessibility in buildings;
• Purchase and registration of software, and costs of digital solutions related to the performance of job duties by target group employees, including consultation and audit costs for accessibility experts required for evaluation or development.

Support

Each grant covers up to 90% of eligible costs, but not more than EUR 15,000. A grant agreement with the applicant will be concluded only after the applicant has obtained social enterprise status.

Availability

Applications are open from 1 March to 30 September by completing the electronic application form and sending the required documents to aic@riga.lv or via e-address.

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"Augšup" Grant in Cooperation with SEB Bank

Program description

The "Augšup" Social Entrepreneurship Grant Programme, implemented by SEB Bank in cooperation with the municipalities of Riga and the surrounding region, offers grants of up to EUR 8,000 to support the launch of new businesses or the development of existing enterprises. For several years, the programme has supported socially impactful business ideas, helping entrepreneurs implement projects that address a wide range of important societal needs.

Who Can Apply

• Individuals aged 18 or older who plan to start a business in one of the programme's partner municipalities: Bauska, Jelgava, Ķekava, Mārupe, Riga, or Ropaži.
• Businesses that carry out economic activity in one of the programme's partner municipalities.

Type of support

The programme provides grant funding for the development of social entrepreneurship. Support is available for:

• Expanding an existing social enterprise.
• Implementing a new social entrepreneurship idea.

Applications must be submitted electronically and include the project application, cash flow forecast, de minimis declaration form, the applicant's CV, and any other required supporting documents. The selection process consists of three stages, during which the project's eligibility, business idea potential, and the applicant's presentation are evaluated.

Support

• Total programme budget: EUR 56,000.
• Maximum grant amount: EUR 8,000 per project.
• Funding intensity: Not specified.

Availability

Applications are accepted annually from 1 March to 31 March. Applicants must submit a digitally signed application by email to augsup@seb.lv. Grant recipients are announced on 9 June.

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Co-financing Programme for Internationally Significant Cultural and Entertainment Events

Program description

Co-financing of up to EUR 300,000 is available to legal entities for organising internationally significant cultural and entertainment events with a broad target audience, as well as local-scale events that promote domestic tourism and economic activity in Riga.

Who can apply

• Legal entities

Type of support

The programme provides co-financing for organising internationally significant cultural and entertainment events, as well as local-scale events in Riga that contribute to international recognition, economic growth, cultural tourism, and domestic tourism.

Support is available for events in the following categories:

• Contemporary art (exhibitions, art fairs, biennials, festivals).
• Theatre (performances, festivals, performance art, and related events).
• Non-classical music (concerts, festivals, industry conferences, and related events).
• Classical music (concerts, festivals, competitions, and related events).
• Film events.
• Interdisciplinary cultural and entertainment events.
• Local-scale events in any of the above fields.

International events must demonstrate the ability to attract international artists or industry professionals, both international and domestic visitors, a broad audience, and generate international media exposure.

Applications must be submitted electronically in accordance with the competition regulations by email to invest@riga.lv.

Availability

The funding call is announced once every quarter, until the annual programme budget has been fully allocated. The competition results are published on www.liveriga.com.

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