The University of Latvia Livonian Institute is a pioneering research center established in 2018 with a mission to advance knowledge and ensure the long-term sustainability of Latvia’s critically endangered indigenous Livonian people. Its work focuses on three key research directions: the study of contemporary Livonian language, culture, identity, and community; exploration of Livonian heritage in Latvia and the Baltic region; and analysis of Livonian experiences in sustainability, resilience, and revitalization to inform global efforts supporting other endangered and indigenous communities.

A central part of the Institute’s mission is the development of digital tools and resources for both researchers and community members, including innovative methods tailored to the unique challenges of extremely under-resourced languages and cultures. Beyond research, the Institute actively contributes to policy development, collaborates with state and international institutions, municipalities, and entrepreneurs, and plays a key role in education and cultural revitalization—shaping national and international strategies, producing educational materials, and fostering both analogue and digital spaces for the Livonian community.

The Institute’s research encompasses a wide range of fields, including grammar, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, cultural history, traditions and folklore, language revitalization, and related disciplines. It is particularly active in developing digital corpora, language technologies, and tools for documenting and preserving cultural heritage. The UL Livonian Institute maintains strong academic collaborations with leading institutions such as the University of Tartu, Uppsala University, the University of Helsinki, the University of Göttingen, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the University of Vienna, the Arctic University of Norway (Tromsø), the University of Warsaw, among others. These partnerships foster interdisciplinary research, the exchange of expertise, and joint participation in international projects focused on endangered languages, indigenous studies, and digital innovation.

Through interdisciplinary research, digital innovation, policy engagement, and educational initiatives, the UL Livonian Institute plays a crucial role in preserving and revitalizing Livonian language and culture—serving as both a model and a source of innovation for indigenous and endangered communities worldwide.