Viktorija Necajeva
2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Life Stories of Ukrainian Refugees in Foreign CountriesLatvia
Viktorija Necajeva has worked as the editor-in-chief and a member of the board of “Vietējā Latgales Avīze” for the last 10 years. The magazine, published weekly in the region of Latgale, is produced in the languages Latvian and Latgalian and reaches thousands of people. She received her bachelor’s degree in public law and has a master’s degree in law and participated in the Soros Foundation debate exchange experience in the European Parliament in Brussels. Viktorija is a proud mother of two children. She enjoys knowing that her magazine articles, interviews, projects and photo reports make a difference in society.
IVLP Impact Award Project: Life Stories of Ukrainian Refugees in Foreign Countries
This project created a series of stories based on information collected from 13 Ukrainian refugees in the Preili municipality of Latvia. The stories illustrated the refugees' daily life, children's schooling, job opportunities, and future plans, and opened eyes of Latvians unaware of the struggles of those fleeing Ukraine. The stories are estimated to have reached more than 10,000 people and also connected the interviewees with different opportunities and support systems in Latvia.
IVLP Exchange Experience
Viktorija participated in the IVLP Project 21st Century ChangeMakers: Supporting Independent Regional Media: Ethical and Accountable Reporting and Sustainable Business Models, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with World Partnerships, Inc., Global Santa Fe and WorldChicago.
Viktorija's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "In September of 2021 I took part in a virtual program offered by the IVLP team. In April of 2022, I visited the USA in person. In each place, I acquired priceless experience that I can use in my job in journalism."
U.S. Communities Visited
Washington DC; Tampa, FL; Chicago, IL; Santa Fe, NM