Caring for Democracy: Life-Making Practices in Geopolitical Uncertainties (LALIFE)

In times of growing fears of war in Europe and shrinking villages near borders, democracy and everyday normality depend not only on strong state institutions but also on local communities that hold society together. These communities create resilience through what we call life-making practices—small but vital actions that make life meaningful and livable.

Life-making includes things like volunteering for a local clean-up (talka), helping find a lost child, supporting lonely seniors, and keeping traditions alive through weddings and cemetery festivals. These practices may seem simple, but together they form the invisible force that strengthens a country against crises.

Our project focuses on Latgale, Latvia’s eastern region on the borders with Russia and Belarus. This area faces unique challenges: information warfare, economic hardship, and depopulation. Yet, research on how people in Latgale sustain everyday life is scarce. We aim to change that by studying these practices from the perspective of those who live there.

The project will explore how different groups—hunters, mothers, and youth activists—contribute to resilience and democracy in this border region. Understanding these efforts is urgent in today’s geopolitical climate.

Planned results

• Original research articles published in the Q1 or Q2 publications listed in the Web of Science or SCOPUS databases – 2
• Original research articles published in other journals included in the Web of Science or SCOPUS databases, in the social sciences, humanities and arts, including journals included in the ERIH PLUS database – 1
• Scientific databases and datasets prepared according to the FAIR principles – 3
• Policy recommendations and reports on the impact of policies – 1
• Project proposal submitted in an international call for research and development projects (competition abroad or submitted by an international consortium) – 1
• Project proposal submitted in a Latvian call for research and development projects – 1
• Other project results according to the specific nature of the project complementary to those listed above (including pre-prints) – 1