Salaspils: The Latvian Town Luring Expats Back with Business Grants
For many Latvians living in the UK, Canada, or Norway, the idea of returning home is often tempered by a single, daunting question: “What will I actually do for a living?” In the municipality of Salaspils, located just a short commute from the capital city of Rīga, local authorities are attempting to answer that question with more than just a warm welcome.
A recent meeting hosted by the Salaspils Municipality brought together returnees from across the globe—including families who had built lives in New Zealand and Canada—to discuss the practicalities of reintegration. Led by Council Chairman Raivis Anspaks, the session focused on a specific strategy: turning returnees into local entrepreneurs through targeted financial support and a promise of better infrastructure.
Supporting the Entrepreneurial Spirit
The transition from an employee in a foreign country to a business owner in Latvia is a path the local government is keen to pave. Anita Skubiļina, head of the municipality’s Development and Investment Department, highlighted a specific grant program aimed at remigrants. For those establishing new businesses or creating jobs in the district, funding of up to €6,486 is available. While the sum may seem modest by international standards, for many, it serves as the essential “seed money” required for equipment or initial wages.
The program already has success stories. Sandra Purēna, who returned from Norway, utilized the grant to launch “Pure Wood,” a children’s furniture manufacturer. Her business model bridges her two worlds; the designs were initially prototyped for her own family’s needs while living in Norway, and she is now targeting the Norwegian export market from her new base in Salaspils.
The Challenge of the “Foreign” Household
Returning is rarely just about the Latvian citizen; it often involves international partners and children who may not speak the language fluently. This was a central theme for participants like Ilze Iesalniece–Brukinga, who returned from New Zealand. While she has secured a role within the local building board, her husband—a New Zealand citizen—is currently navigating the Latvian job market with a background in dairy farm management.
Similarly, Linda Sondore returned from Canada after a decade away. As a chemist formerly employed by the pharmaceutical giant Grindeks, she and her husband (a long-distance driver) are now weighing the options between returning to their professional roots or starting a new service-based venture in gardening or waste management.
For these families, the “soft landing” depends heavily on local services. Salaspils has responded by prioritizing demography, including the introduction of new childcare services to ensure parents have a safe place for their children while they focus on job hunting or business development.
Education and Integration
The local school system is perhaps the most critical barometer of successful remigration. Veneranda Bogdāne, director of Salaspils Primary School, noted that the school currently hosts five children who have moved back from the UK, Norway, Russia, and Belgium.
“The biggest challenge for these children is the Latvian language and the administrative hurdle of sorting out educational documents from their previous home countries,” Bogdāne explained. She emphasized that the success of the child’s integration is almost always tied to the level of parental involvement and their enthusiasm for the move.
A Strategic Move
For those still in the UK considering a similar move, the advice from Rīga Planning Region coordinator Daina Šulca is clear: preparation must start months before the flight. She identifies five pillars for a successful return: securing housing, employment, childcare, schooling, and ensuring all documents from the host country are in order.
While the financial incentives are a draw, many returnees cited the intangible benefits of Salaspils as the ultimate decider. Proximity to nature, access to fresh local food, and a sense of community interest were frequently mentioned as the “pull factors” that finally outweighed the “push factors” of life abroad. As Latvia continues to face demographic challenges, the proactive stance of municipalities like Salaspils offers a potential blueprint for how to turn a brain drain into a brain gain.
Source: Salaspils novada pašvaldība
