Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Dod pieci!”?

The charity marathon “Dod pieci!” is part of the international “Serious Request” project, which organises several charity marathons every year in different European countries. The first glass studio was launched in Utrecht, the Netherlands, before Christmas in 2004, and the first charity marathon in Latvia took place in December 2014.

When and where will “Dod pieci!” take place this year?

The charity marathon “Dod pieci!” will take place from 15 to 21 December of this year. The glass studio of Latvian Radio 5 will be located in Riga, Dome Square.

Who are the donations of this year’s “Dod pieci!” for?

This year, the charity marathon "Dod pieci!" stands up for supporting children and young people at risk.  

The statistics are stark. There are currently more than 10 000 children and young people with behavioural problems in Latvia, or an average of one child in every class takes refuge on the streets, wanders, does not attend school, uses intoxicating substances or is one step away from committing a crime. More than 36 000 or one in seven children in Latvia are at risk of developing behavioural problems – these children have been victims of violence or a crime, are in out-of-family care or live in a family at risk of child neglect etc. They are not safe. And we, as adults, are responsible.This year’s charity marathon "Dod pieci!" aims to empower children and young people with behavioural problems to break free from an unfavourable environment and build a motivated, safe, mentally and physically healthy future.

How can you donate to “Dod pieci!”?

For a EUR 5 donation you can have your favourite song played on Latvijas Radio 5. Donations can be made from 1 December on the website www.dodpieci.lv. From 15 to 21 December, donations can also be made at the charity marathon glass studio in Riga Old Town, Dome Square. It will also be possible to make a donation for the "Dod pieci!" purpose on the Ziedot.lv website. 

Kā pieteikties pasaulē garākajai labdarības stafetei?

Līdz ar labdarības maratona "Dod pieci!" startu Doma laukumā uzsākta arī pasaulē garākā labdarības skriešanas stafete. Tās laikā, iesaistot pēc iespējas vairāk skrējējus, uz skrejceliņa bez apstājas paredzēts noskriet teju 158 stundas. Ja arī Tu vēlies pievienoties skrējēju pulkam, aicinām pieteikties, rakstot uz: dodpieci@latvijasradio.lv vai piesakoties skriešanas kalendārā: https://calendly.com/dod-pieci/labdaribas-stafete

Does Ziedot.lv charge a commission fee for donations made?

Ziedot.lv does not charge any commission or agents’ fee for donations received. 100% of the donated money goes to its intended cause. The administrative costs of Ziedot.lv are not covered by "Dod pieci!" donations.

What help will a minimum donation of EUR 5 provide?

Your 5 EUR for a young person at risk will be a step towards a more secure future. The funds donated during the marathon will go through the charity organisation Ziedot.lv to non-profit organisations that provide professional help to children and young people who have been left without proper family care, who have suffered from violence and other crimes, or who have behavioural problems of their own. The donated funds will be used by the organisations to provide them with tailored services ranging from specialist counselling to the purchase of basic necessities, to finding a support person or mentor.

Why this year we will help children and young people at risk?

The statistics are stark. On average, one child in every class in Latvia takes refuge on the streets, wanders, skips school, uses intoxicating substances or is one step away from committing a crime. They are not safe. And we, as adults, are responsible. 

The State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia in its 2022 audit report “Problematic Children – a Mirror of Adult Failure” estimates that there are currently more than 10,000 children in Latvia with behavioural problems, who have been absent from education for a long period of time without any justifiable reason, who use various intoxicating substances, who have broken the law, etc. More than 36 000 or one in seven children in Latvia are at risk of developing behavioural problems – these children have been victims of violence or a crime, are in out-of-family care or live in a family at risk of child neglect etc.

Where can I follow the events of “Dod pieci!”?

From 15 to 21 December, 24 hours a day, you will be able to follow the events of “Dod pieci!” on air on Latvian Radio 5, online at www.dodpieci.lv and www.lsm.lv.

Can I choose to donate to any song?

During the "Dod pieci!" campaign, there will be no restrictions on the musical format of Latvian Radio 5 – all the songs donors want to hear will be played on air, ranging from an excerpt from Wagner’s "Lohengrin" to a ten-minute Metallica track. We will play the most radical genres of music during the darkest hours of the day.

When will the song I donated for be played on Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv?

Once a donation has been received for a song, the music department of Latvian Radio 5 will find the nearest suitable time to play it on the radio. As it is not possible to predict the number of song submissions, it is not possible to say the exact timing of each song being played live. One of the main principles is to play as many songs as possible without repetitions. A list of all the songs played during the marathon will be available on the “Dod pieci!” website www.dodpieci.lv. The best chance of hearing your song on air is if it is well-known and popular, and if your donation is made early on.

Can I enter a song by making a donation to “Dod pieci!” in the glass studio?

Yes, this year both cash and non-cash donations will be accepted at the glass studio. It will be possible to request a song by accessing the donation window – Ziedot.lv volunteers will exchange the donation for the selected song and enter it into the shared system. However, this does not mean that the chosen song will be played on air immediately – we receive a lot of submissions during the charity marathon, and the music editor sorts the order of the songs several hours in advance.

Can I have my name called on air before playing my selected song if I have donated?

The name of the specific donor is not going to be mentioned on the radio. Usually plenty of people choose the same song, and it would take a long time to name all the donors. However, if you want your name to be acknowledged, the donor's name appears in the list of donors when donating on Ziedot.lv.

Where can I listen to Latvian Radio 5 – Pieci.lv?

The broadcasting frequency of Latvian Radio 5 is 93.1 FM in Riga, 102.1 FM in Liepāja, 100.5 FM in Limbaži, 103.8 FM in Rēzekne, 102.4 FM in Saldus, 89.5 FM in Valmiera and 96.5 FM in Ventspils. Online – https://fm.pieci.lv/

It is also possible to listen to content produced by the Latvian Radio on the Latvian Radio mobile app.

My child brought a drawing – can it be given to the DJs in the glass studio this year?

Yes, drawings can be dropped off at the donation window.

Who has been helped by “Dod pieci!”?

In 2022, the "Dod pieci!" charity marathon called for help for Ukrainian refugee children in Latvia. In 2022, EUR 804 384 was raised in donations, the largest amount donated in the history of the "Dod pieci!" charity marathon.

In 2021, the charity marathon "Dod pieci!" highlighted the issue of accessibility for people with functional disabilities, inviting the public to see the everyday lives of people with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. In 2021, EUR 483,346 was raised in donations, the largest amount donated in the history of the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon. 

In 2020, the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon raised EUR 407,020 to help victims of domestic violence. 

In 2019, donations of EUR 438,197 provided nutritious meals for terminally ill people who can no longer feed themselves, as well as provided other palliative care support therapies. 

In 2018, donated funds in the amount of EUR 120,046 through Ziedot.lv and “Plecs” were directed to the creation and implementation of a free young parents support and training programme throughout Latvia. 

In 2017, donations of EUR 358,121 provided 35,812 hours of emotional and practical support to “Plecs” families who want to give homes to children from orphanages. 

In 2016, EUR 190,910 was donated, which enabled the organisation of 21 psychosocial support camps for oncology patients and their relatives. 

In 2015, EUR 135,546 was donated to provide assistance to more than 50 families with children with special needs. 

In December 2014, the first “Dod pieci!” charity marathon raised EUR 64,550, providing Christmas presents for more than five thousand poor and lonely elderly people in Latvia.

Donation reports from projects: https://www.ziedot.lv/jaunumi/dod-pieci-parskats-2014-2022-4879

Can you still apply for help in connection with one of the previous years "Dod pieci!" topics?

At the moment, support is still being provided to Ukrainian refugee children. So far, more than half of the donated funds have been used and 2799 Ukrainian children in Latvia have received individual support. To apply for help, you need to fill in an application form: https://www.ziedot.lv/ukranskim-bzhencyam

Can you get involved in “Dod pieci!” as a volunteer and help with the charity marathon?

Yes, volunteers are a big part of the “Dod pieci!” charity marathon. We are happy and grateful to the volunteers who want to be part of the “Dod pieci!” team year after year. If you would like to help, please contact: DodPieci@latvijasradio.lv.

Can I collect donations outside the giving opportunities announced in the charity marathon through “Dod pieci!” branding (e.g., by placing donation boxes)? What are the conditions?

Yes, you can! “Dod pieci!” is a charity marathon, so we welcome every activity that raises donations for the marathon cause.

What are the possibilities for companies to donate and are there tax benefits?

Companies that value social responsibility are invited to conclude a donation agreement with Ziedot.lv. Companies are entitled to an income tax relief. Additional information is available here: https://www.vid.gov.lv/sites/default/files/ziedojumi_uin_27062022_aktualizets_met_mat.pdf.

To enter into a donation agreement, please fill in the application form. If you have any further questions, please contact ziedot@ziedot.lv.

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Ziedojuši 10 000 € par pasaulē garāko labdarības stafeti: