Centre for Public Policy, Latvia (PROVIDUS)

Website: www.providus.lv/public/index_en.html

Centre for Public Policy (Sabiedriskas Politikas Centrs, PROVIDUS) was established at the end of 2002 by the Soros Foundation-Latvia and several individuals and has since developed into the leading think-tank in Latvia. The PROVIDUS mission is to facilitate comprehensive policy change in areas important for Latvia’s development. PROVIDUS also provides expertise to other countries undergoing democratic transformation.

Valts Kalnins

Valts Kalnins

Valts Kalnins is a researcher at the Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, a Riga-based non-governmental think tank since 2003. He is also an assistant professor at the University of Latvia. Valts Kalnins holds a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Latvia. Since 1999, he has carried out numerous studies related to issues of good governance and prevention of corruption. His particular research fields include the governance of state-owned enterprises, comparative analysis of lobbying regulations and tools for the strengthening of public-sector ethics. Moreover Valts Kalnins has carried out a number of consultancy engagements commissioned by OECD and other international and national bodies. Since 2012 he is Latvia's correspondent in the network of local research correspondents on corruption established by the European Commission (DGHome).
Iveta Kazoka

Iveta Kazoka

Iveta Kazoka is a policy analyst at the Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, a Latvian non-governmental think tank since 2005. Her main areas of expertise: political party and electoral campaign regulation, good governance, new media and citizen participation. Iveta Kazoka holds a masters degree in law from the University of Latvia, she also teaches Public Administration Law in Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. Since 2006, she has carried out four monitorings of Latvian elections - focusing on campaign finance, corrupt political journalism and media bias. Her research, analysis and recommendations have been used by Latvian parliament to improve the political party finance and campaign regulation. She is also an active blogger both in Latvian and in English.