The Jūrmala City Council has approved the allocation of €100,000 to assist Ukrainian civilians affected by the war. These funds are being sourced from property tax revenues collected from objects owned by individuals currently under sanctions.
Funding from Sanctioned Assets
According to the local government, taxes from 21 properties owned by sanctioned individuals have generated approximately one million euros since mid-2024. Officials expect this total to potentially reach 1.2 million euros by the end of the year.
A Service-Based Assistance Model
The initiative follows an appeal from the organization “Ukrainas un Latvijas draudzība,” which sought support for Ukrainians who have fled their country or are unable to return due to the conflict.
Rather than providing direct cash transfers to the organization, the city will utilize a service-payment mechanism. The local government will pay bills for specific services provided by medical and cultural institutions within Jūrmala that work with Ukrainian citizens.
These funds are earmarked for rehabilitation, medical services, charitable actions and cultural events. This approach ensures that assistance is delivered through local infrastructure.
Political Debate and Legal Mandates
The decision has faced scrutiny from the opposition, which noted that the €100,000 allocation represents only about one-tenth of the total revenues generated by the sanctioned properties.
Council chair Jānis Lediņš responded by stating that “the program can be continued after assessing its results,” suggesting the initiative could be expanded in the future.
Lediņš also noted that while the law requires at least 80% of such revenues to be used for this purpose, the distribution of those funds may occur in stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money is being allocated to assist Ukrainians?
The Jūrmala City Council has decided to allocate €100,000 for this purpose.
Where is the funding coming from?
The funds are sourced from property tax revenues collected from objects owned by individuals under sanctions.
Will the money be given as direct cash transfers?
No. The local government will pay bills for specific services—such as medical and cultural services—at institutions in Jūrmala that work with Ukrainian citizens.
Do you believe utilizing local infrastructure is the most effective way to distribute humanitarian aid?
