€7.2 million to be invested in establishing social services

A planned €7,268,331 investment in Jelgava will go towards establishing community-based social services and the infrastructure required for them, according to the decision adopted by the city council on participation in the project.

The municipality plans to promote access to community-based social services for people with mental disabilities, children with functional impairments, and children who are without parental care.

New infrastructure for providing services will be established at the multifunctional centre at 47a Zirgu Street, which operated as the city’s children’s home until 2019. The establishment of infrastructure for group apartments and specialised workshops at 13 Stacijas Street is also planned, as is the establishment of a service providing an environment similar to a family setting at 30 Nameja Street. Meanwhile, the swimming pool at the “Kāpēcīši” kindergarten at 66 Ganību Street is planned to be adapted to improve accessibility for children with functional impairments.

The project also includes the purchase of material and technical equipment.

The total cost of the initiative is €7.2 million. Of this amount, €1.64 million could be covered by the European Regional Development Fund, while €72,582 is planned as a state budget grant. The remaining funds will have to be provided by the municipality.

If the project is approved and co-financing is received, the municipality plans to allocate funds for implementing the initiative in its annual budgets through 2022.