Latvia

The Council for the Implementation of the Cooperation Memorandum between Non-Governmental Organisations and the Cabinet of Ministers (Memorandum Council)

Mandate and legal basis

The Memorandum Council is Latvia's main institutional platform for structured dialogue between civil society and the government. It was established following the adoption of the Cooperation Memorandum between Non-Governmental Organisations and the Cabinet of Ministers in 2005.

The Council operates on the basis of this Memorandum, which constitutes a politically binding framework for cooperation rather than a legal act. Its functioning is also embedded in the Rules of Procedure of the Cabinet of Ministers, which provide for consultation with civil society in decision-making processes.

The Council has a consultative and advisory role. In certain cases, legislative and policy initiatives affecting the non-governmental sector are required to be discussed within the Council. It also serves as a platform for addressing cross-sectoral issues and resolving disagreements between public administration and civil society actors.

The role of the Council is further reinforced by its recognition in the Rules of Procedure of the Cabinet of Ministers, which provide for the participation of a delegated NGO representative from the Memorandum Council in meetings of State Secretaries and Cabinet Committee meetings in an advisory capacity. This establishes a formal link between the Council and governmental decision-making processes, allowing civil society perspectives to be introduced at an early stage of policy development.

Composition

The Memorandum Council consists of 16 members, ensuring equal representation of civil society and public administration:

  • 8 representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • 8 representatives of public administration

Public administration members include representatives from the Prime Minister's Office, the State Chancellery of Latvia (whose Director serves as Chair), and several ministries at the level of State Secretaries, including finance, smart administration and regional development, culture, interior, welfare, and justice.

NGO representatives are elected for a two-year term by organisations that have signed the Memorandum. Any signatory organisation may nominate a candidate. From among themselves, NGO representatives elect a Vice-Chair of the Council.

Meetings of the Council are co-chaired on a rotating basis by the Chair (Director of the State Chancellery) and the Vice-Chair (NGO representative), reflecting the principle of shared ownership of the dialogue process.

Functions and role

The Memorandum Council facilitates cooperation and dialogue between the government and civil society, with a focus on issues affecting the non-governmental sector as a whole. Its main functions include:

  • discussing draft policy documents and legislative initiatives relevant to civil society
  • ensuring a platform for dialogue on horizontal issues affecting NGOs
  • acting as an intermediary between NGOs and public administration institutions
  • addressing conflicts and disagreements between the two sectors
  • promoting the development of an enabling environment for civil society participation

While the Council does not typically issue formal opinions, it plays an important role in shaping discussions and ensuring that civil society perspectives are integrated into policy processes at an early stage.

Working methods

The Council meets regularly (typically at least 11 times per year). In addition, it convenes an annual NGO Forum to broaden engagement with the wider civil society sector.

Its work is supported by thematic working groups, which prepare issues for discussion and decision-making. These include:

  1. Finance (Budget) and Tax Working Group – addresses issues related to public financing, taxation, and participation in budgetary processes.
  2. Content Planning Working Group – prepares agendas, reviews submitted issues, and helps resolve disagreements between stakeholders.
  3. Public Engagement and Open Governance Working Group – focuses on participation mechanisms and open government principles.
  4. Delegated Representatives Coordination Working Group – coordinates NGO participation in government meetings and other decision-making formats.

Each working group includes an equal number of NGO and public administration representatives, ensuring balanced participation.

Secretariat

The Secretariat of the Memorandum Council is provided by Civic Alliance – Latvia in cooperation with the State Chancellery.

Since 2024, the Secretariat operates under a state-delegated function, financed from the national budget through the State Chancellery. This delegation is granted for a two-year period and represents a new model for supporting structured civil society dialogue in Latvia.

The Secretariat is responsible for organising Council meetings, coordinating working groups, ensuring information exchange, and supporting the overall functioning of the Council.

Position within the Latvian dialogue system

The Memorandum Council is the central and only formalised platform for structured civil society dialogue at the national level in Latvia. It complements, but is distinct from mechanisms of social dialogue between government, employers, and trade unions.

Through its activities, the Council contributes to strengthening inclusive and participatory governance and to fostering cooperation between public administration and civil society.