European Latvian Association

The European Latvian Association (ELA; Latvian: Eiropas Latviešu apvienība) is an umbrella organization that unites non-governmental Latvian and Latvian friendship organizations registered outside the Republic of Latvia. Its stated purpose is to represent the interests of the Latvian diaspora at the European level, to coordinate the work of its member organizations in the fields of information, education and culture, and to promote cooperation projects among member organizations as well as with similar emigrant organizations of other nationalities. ELA represents 30 organizations in 19 European countries. Its working language is Latvian. ELA is a member of the World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) and of Europeans Throughout the World (ETTW). The organization traces its origins to 31 July 1951, when representatives of Latvian organizations in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Sweden founded the European Centre of the Latvian Liberation Committee (LAK EC) in London, with the aim of promoting the liberation of Latvia and the restoration of its statehood. On 23 September 1995, again in London, the European Centre of the Latvian Liberation Committee was transformed into the Western European Latvian Association (RLA), with the goal of advancing Latvian national-political interests in Western European countries and international organizations and coordinating Latvian organizational work in information, education and culture. On 11 September 2006, in Riga, in order to overcome the division of Europe into Western and Eastern zones for Latvian organizations and to promote coordinated action among Latvian organizations throughout Europe, the expanded presidium (full assembly) of the Western European Latvian Association renamed it the European Latvian Association (ELA). On 12 September 2009, in Hamburg, in order to turn ELA into a legal person, the assembly of ELA member organizations decided on the official registration of the European Latvian Association and approved a new version of its statutes. ELA's specific aims include promoting the preservation of the ethnic identity of Latvians living in European countries, the availability of Latvian language instruction and the popularization of Latvian culture; strengthening the civic link of Latvians living in European countries with Latvia and fostering awareness of European Union citizenship; promoting tolerance and mutual understanding between Latvians living in European countries and the inhabitants of their host countries; fostering understanding of Latvian history in Europe and promoting the preservation of the memory of the victims of totalitarianism; and supporting the efforts of the Latvian government to promote the repatriation of Latvian nationals living abroad. ELA supports and promotes the principles and fundamental values of the European Union, namely a closer union among European countries and peoples, a single economic space including the free movement of persons, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, as well as respect for the diversity of European cultures and languages. To further its aims, ELA cooperates with non-governmental organizations at European and national level, as well as with Latvian, European state and European Union institutions. According to ELA's statutes, the main decision-making body is the assembly of member organizations, convened by the ELA presidium at least once a year. The presidium, including the ELA chairperson and vice-chairperson, is elected by the assembly of member organizations for two years, with a total of six members. The assembly also elects a treasurer, an accountant and an Audit Commission for financial matters. The presidium may involve other persons in its work. Currently, a political adviser, a cultural adviser, an education adviser, a communication adviser and a project adviser work with the ELA presidium.

The European Latvian Association (ELA) traces its origins to the early Cold War period, when Latvian émigré communities in Western Europe organized to advocate for the restoration of Latvian independence. On 31 July 1951, in London, representatives from the Latvian National Council in the United Kingdom, the Belgian Latvian National Committee, the Latvian Association in Denmark, the Latvian Aid Committee in France, the French Latvian Society, the Latvian Central Council in Germany and the Swedish Latvian National Council founded the European Centre of the Latvian Liberation Committee (Latvian: Latvijas Atbrīvošanas komitejas Eiropas centrs, LAK EC). The new body's aim was to promote the liberation of Latvia and the restoration of its statehood. After the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, the organization adapted its mission. On 23 September 1995, in London, with representatives from the Latvian National Council in the United Kingdom, the Daugavas Vanagi Fund, the Swedish Latvian Central Council and the German Latvian Central Council participating, the European Centre of the Latvian Liberation Committee was transformed into the Western European Latvian Association (Rietumeiropas Latviešu apvienība, RLA). The new organization's goal was to promote the implementation of Latvian national-political interests in Western European countries and international organizations and to coordinate the work of Latvian organizations in the fields of information, education and culture. On 11 September 2006, in Riga, in order to overcome the division of Europe into Western and Eastern zones for Latvian organizations and to promote coordinated action among Latvian organizations throughout Europe, the expanded presidium (full assembly) of the Western European Latvian Association renamed it the European Latvian Association (Eiropas Latviešu apvienība, ELA). The assembly was attended by representatives of Latvian organizations from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Ireland. On 12 September 2009, in Hamburg, in order to transform the European Latvian Association into a legal person, the assembly of ELA member organizations adopted a decision on the official registration of the European Latvian Association and approved a new version of its statutes. This step formalized ELA's legal status and provided a clear governance framework. Since then, ELA has continued to serve as the umbrella body for Latvian diaspora organizations across Europe. It represents 30 organizations in 19 European countries and is a member of the World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) and Europeans Throughout the World (ETTW). Its working language is Latvian. In recent years, ELA has been active in diaspora advocacy, including publishing analyses of political party platforms from a diaspora perspective ahead of Latvian parliamentary elections, participating in the Latvian Diaspora Forum, and producing the "Diasporāts" broadcast series. In September 2026, ELA held its annual general assembly in Riga, electing Ilga Švāne from Norway as its new chairperson and a new presidium for the next two years.

• European Centre of the Latvian Liberation Committee (LAK EC) founded in London by representatives of Latvian organizations in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Sweden.

• LAK EC transformed into the Western European Latvian Association (RLA) in London.

• RLA renamed the European Latvian Association (ELA) in Riga.

• ELA member organizations decided on official registration and approved new statutes in Hamburg.

• ELA annual general assembly held in Riga; Ilga Švāne elected chairperson.

• New ELA presidium and chairperson elected for the next two years.

Umbrella organization representing Latvian diaspora interests at the European level.

1. 1Eiropas Latviešu apvienībaela.lv
2. 2Eiropas Latviešu apvienībalv.wikipedia.org
3. 3European Latvian Associationwikidata.org