About Us
Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia (SEAL) is a non-governmental membership organisation with an aim to promote the development of social entrepreneurship in Latvia.
SEAL is responsible for the overall development and promotion of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Latvia, the representation of social entrepreneurship interests and capacity building of member organizations, the promotion of knowledge, skills and public information on social entrepreneurship. SEAL develops social entrepreneurship for long-term change in Latvia.
In autumn 2015, the Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia (SEAL) was founded. The founding organisations of SEAL are the Open Society Foundation “DOTS”, the Centre for Public Research “PROVIDUS”, the Latvian Samaritans Association, the charity shop network “Otra elpa” and the social entrepreneurship accelerator “New Door”. Before the establishment of the Association, these organisations contributed to the research and promotion of social entrepreneurship in Latvia. SEAL currently has more than 140 members, find out more about SEAL members here.
The Association operates in three
main areas:
Advocacy
SEAL works to defend the interests of members and the social entrepreneurship sector at local, regional, national and international level. At the policy-making level, SEAL has participated in the drafting of the Social Enterprise Law and a representative of SEAL (currently Agnese Frīdenberga) serves on the Ministry of Welfare’s Commission for Granting Social Enterprise Status. At local and regional level, SEAL raises awareness of the opportunities for the development of social entrepreneurship. In cooperation with other regional and national decision-makers and policy-makers, SEAL is purposefully creating a favourable environment for social entrepreneurship in Latvia.
Member capacity building
SEAL promotes the development and visibility of its members. The organization of joint events, the rapid exchange of information, updates on financial and cooperation opportunities, advisory support and communication activities contribute to the achievement of the objectives set by SEAL members. The Association provides members with a quicker and more meaningful exchange of knowledge and experience, while events promote members’ goods and services to the wider public and provide opportunities for new collaborations.
Informing the public
SEAL participates in and organises events of various levels and formats with the aim to inform the Latvian society about the opportunities offered by social entrepreneurship. The Association has established a network of Social Entrepreneurship Ambassadors in Latvian regions. SEAL organises the Social Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition “Tam labam būs augt”, the most ambitious event of the year for the social entrepreneurship sector. The Association maintains the most comprehensive source of social entrepreneurship information in Latvian – www.sua.lv.
Team
Association's day-to-day work is managed by a team of six:
Council
The Council of the SEALis composed of five people elected by the SEAL members at the General Assembly for a two-year term. The Council acts as a strategic advisory body to the Association, setting the main directions of the SEAL’s activities and voting on the admission of new SEAL members.
The Council shall meet at least once a month.
The members of council
(23.11.2025. – March 2027 (SEAL members’ General Assembly))
Inga Muižniece
Founder of the social enterprise “SONIDO”
Expertise
Social enterprises of work integration, social aspect as a marketing and visibility tool
Ivars Balodis
Chairperson of the Board of the Association of People with Disabilities and Their Friends “Apeirons”
Expertise
Accessibility and availability issues. Employment of people with disabilities and a dignified life in society. Universal design. Social services. Advocacy.
Baiba Blomniece-Jurāne
Founder of the social enterprise “Barboleta”
Expertise
Education and psychology. Social entrepreneurship with a focus on economic activity
Guntis Ruskis
Founder of the association “Mārupe BMX Club” & board member of the social enterprise “Drošas velobraukšanas skola”
Expertise
Project implementation and management, involvement of children, young people and their parents in improving their own and their community’s living environment, event organization and management
Edgars Čerkovskis
Director of the master’s study program “Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship” at the University “College of Economics and Culture”
Expertise
Educational management and innovation, research in social entrepreneurship, development of learning content and methodologies, coordination of academic and cross-sector project content
Requisites
NGO
“Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia”
Reg. No
50008244721
Legal address
Alberta iela 13, LV-1010
Swedbanka AB
LV35HABA0551040981984
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Want to be part of the social entrepreneurship community and help shape the sector in Latvia?
Become a member!
Together we can! Only by working together and supporting each other the principles of social entrepreneurship can be brought to life in Latvia.
Māris Grāvis, the author of idea “RB cafe”
Social Entrepreneruship Association – then we have more opportunities to do things in a higher dimension. That’s why we have been recognised as a full participant in the Ministry of Welfare’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme – so we could submit a business plan for Altum grant funding! Thanks to the association and all the great people behind it!
Andrs Hermanis, co-founder of social enterprise “BlindArt”
The Social Entrepreneurship Association is an advisory and supportive guide for entrepreneurs starting the path of social entrepreneurship.
Inga Muižniece, owner of the call centre “Sonido”
Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia is like a platform where professionals from different fields come together to create the environment of social entrepreneurship in Latvia.
Elina Novada, the founder of social enterprise “Svaigi.lv”