Entrepreneurs for Peace opens civil-military cooperation Hub in Riga

On 21 July, the Entrepreneurs for Peace Foundation opened a new Civil-Military Cooperation Hub in Riga. The hub will serve as a meeting place for entrepreneurs, public institutions, non-governmental organisations and members of the public to work together to strengthen Latvia's resilience and continue supporting Ukraine.

The hub will foster cooperation with developers of military products and services, support new initiatives aimed at strengthening Latvia's security, and bring together the foundation's partners to develop joint solutions. It will also host events and educational activities designed to increase public awareness of national defence, societal resilience and preparedness to respond to crises.

During the opening event, the foundation highlighted three key messages: the importance of cooperation, the need to remain vigilant, and the achievements made to date, demonstrating that civic initiatives can make a significant contribution to strengthening Latvia's security while continuing to support Ukraine.

"Over the past four and a half years, we have shown that the greatest results can be achieved by working together with Latvian businesses, strategic partners, non-governmental organisations and active members of society. The foundation will continue supporting Ukraine while placing increasing emphasis on strengthening Latvia's resilience and implementing new initiatives that will enhance the country's ability to respond to hybrid threats," said Laura Skrodele, Director of the Entrepreneurs for Peace Foundation.

She added that the new hub is intended to become a place where cooperation is transformed into practical action and thanked the foundation's partners, without whose support its work would not have been possible.

Speaking about the security situation, representatives of the foundation stressed that Russia's war against Ukraine continues and that security challenges in Europe have not diminished. Ukrainian civilians continue to suffer daily attacks, while Latvia must further strengthen its resilience and preparedness for a wide range of security threats.

Since 2022, Entrepreneurs for Peace has delivered more than €23 million worth of assistance to Ukraine, including 1,000 drones, 300 generators, 1,300 vehicles, and 1,200 units of medical and technical equipment. The organization has also supported Latvian volunteers serving in Ukraine, implemented social infrastructure reconstruction projects in Ukraine's Chernihiv region, and organized humanitarian aid convoys in cooperation with the Latvian State Police, the National Armed Forces and numerous Latvian companies.

The importance of civil-military cooperation was also highlighted by Colonel Volodymyr Rusinov, Commander of the 26th Artillery Brigade, who emphasized that close cooperation between the armed forces, businesses and society is essential for strengthening national security.

"Modern security depends not only on the capabilities of the armed forces but also on the willingness of society as a whole to participate and cooperate. Civil-military cooperation is one of the cornerstones of national resilience, and initiatives such as this strengthen our collective ability to respond to security challenges. I would like to thank the Entrepreneurs for Peace Foundation for its selfless and consistently timely support to Ukraine and its soldiers," said Colonel Rusinov.

Latvian volunteer fighter Aleksandrs Sverčkovs, who had recently returned from Ukraine, shared his experiences from the front line and emphasized the importance of public support for those defending Ukraine every day.

"On the front line, what you feel most is that every soldier is backed by people who genuinely care. Every donation, every shipment of aid and every word of encouragement give us the strength to keep fighting," said A. Sverčkovs.

Ieva Vārna, who had also recently returned from the Donbas region, spoke about the situation in Ukraine and stressed that international support remains critically important. "After what I witnessed in Donbas, one thing is clear: the war is far from over, and Ukraine still needs our support every single day. Everyone who gets involved truly helps save lives," said I. Vārna.

The event concluded with remarks by the foundation's chaplain, Elmārs Pļaviņš, Senior Expert on International Military Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Defence, who thanked the organisation's partners for their trust and long-standing cooperation.

"Every step we take together proves that we are not alone. Thank you to every partner whose work and support help strengthen both Latvia and Ukraine," said E. Pļaviņš.

Viesturs Silenieks also introduced guests to the activities of Drone House and the opportunities offered by the new hub, inviting participants on a guided tour of the centre's main areas of operation.

About Entrepreneurs for Peace

Since 2022, the Entrepreneurs for Peace Foundation has brought together entrepreneurs and partners to provide practical support to Ukraine while strengthening Latvia's security and societal resilience. The organisation coordinates humanitarian and military assistance deliveries, works closely with public authorities, and implements projects that advance civil-military cooperation.

More information: www.uznemejimieram.lv