Next government to decide on Society Integration Foundation reorganisation

Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers, which is currently serving as a caretaker government, has decided not to rule on the reorganisation of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF). A report from the Ministry of Culture proposing improvements to the foundation's work was on the agenda of the government meeting but was not discussed. The incoming government will take up the matter.

Andra Kulbergs's spokesperson Elīna Šverna, speaking to the portal Delfi, explained that this is a technical government, but that the issue matters to both society and the sectors concerned, so the next cabinet will examine it. Kulbergs is the prime minister and represents the Union of Greens and Farmers.

Background

In August this year, Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis of the National Alliance said the SIF needed a series of improvements without delay. A working group was then assessing the foundation's audit findings, which were due to reach the minister on 17 August. Puntulis said he would evaluate them and submit an informational report to the Cabinet.

What the ministry proposes

The ministry suggests renaming the foundation and reviewing its council, replacing ministers with state secretaries. It also proposes handing the distribution of funds in various fields to other bodies:

• the Media Support Fund would be administered by the National Electronic Mass Media Council;
• the NGO Fund and the NGO co-financing programme would go to the State Chancellery;
• the programme "Learning Latvian for remigrants and their family members" would go to the Ministry of Education and Science;
• the Minorities and Social Cohesion programme would stay with the Ministry of Culture;
• the "Family-Friendly Municipality" programme would go to the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development.

Objections

Dozens of non-governmental organisations oppose the proposal, including the Children's Hospital Foundation, the organisation "Sustento", the Latvian Autism Association and the transparency group "Delna", along with media organisations. Several organisations and ministries see the plan as effectively abolishing the SIF. They also fear that transferring the foundation's functions to other institutions could create risks of political influence and increase bureaucracy.