Published: 30.04.2020.

Conference „Inspire for the Future!” took place

On 26 April 2017 at the Great Guild in Riga the Closure Conference of the Norway Grants programme „Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” took place.

The Conference started with an opening discussion where representatives of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities as well as Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments highlighted the contribution of Norway to strengthening Latvian regions.

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During the Conference institutions involved in programme implementation shared their views and experiences on the bilateral cooperation issues as well as results achieved in the programme and lessons learned and issues of strengthening local democracy and inclusive society addressed in the programme. The Conference was devoted to 4 values: creativity, courage, cooperation and communication which were addressed during programme implementation and in the Conference presentations.

Introducing Conference guests to programme results Iruma Kravale, Director of Development Instruments Department of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, emphasized that the contribution of the programme opened up new opportunities as well as provided new skills and methods for local development. That is contributing to improved quality of living environment for people in the regions of Latvia and local service quality, encouraging strengthening of local democracy and active, participation-oriented society.

In the conference experts’ session, between inspirational stories, following issues were addressed –an inclusive society, an open dialogue with the community-oriented municipality, as well as each individual's courage, creativity and desire to take active part in their own territory development. Both Evija Taurene from Cesis municipality and Hallgrim Rogn from an organisation Innovangsjon in Norway, stressed that it is the individuals that make up the local community and that are the most valuable resource for any municipality. Also Evija shared knowledge, including lessons learned in the programme activities, on the challenges and methods for improvement of any municipality and developing a community-friendly communication, as well as the issues that each municipality's representative may ask themselves to check how local government is open to its citizens and to self-improvement.

At the Conference 4 videos were presented displaying results of each of the projects and showing impact of the results through the eyes of local people of Daugavpils city and district.

During the Conference the importance of the bilateral aspects of the programme and the integral Norwegian contribution, which gave impulse to a new multi-level governance and spatial planning approach in Latvia, were especially highlighted.

The Conference also encouraged all participants to follow their ideas and new challenges courageously as well as to see the creative potential in oneself.

Special thanks to more than 100 Conference guests from different institutions in Latvia, Norway and Poland!

The project videos:


Photo gallery

Presentations::

  

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Norwegian partners appreciate progress of the Capacity building programme

On 9–10 January 2017 in Lillehammer the Norway Grants programme “Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” Cooperation Committee meeting was held.

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD) and the Norwegian Partners – Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities – discussed various matters related to programme implementation and Norwegian partners appreciated project results.

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Cooperation Committee meeting

On the second day of the Meeting participants visited the open-air museum in Maihaugen in order to get acquainted with Norwegian cultural and historical heritage. Additionally, the participants visited local community Lucky Naeroset, which gained wide publicity in Norway in connection with the community’s unusual and humorous measures for strengthening local village and community.


Cooperation Committee participants visiting Lucky Naeroset 

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Amendments to the regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of 26 February 2013 No 111 have been published

Amendments to Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of 26 February 2013 No 111 “Procedures for Implementation of Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 Period Programme “Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities”” have been published.

Changes made to the regulation are related to reallocation of saved funding between pre-defined projects in amount of EUR 27 372, as well as reallocation of funding in amount of EUR 30 000 from complementary actions to the Fund for Bilateral relations. The additional funding will provide opportunity to enhance bilateral relations between Latvia and Norway through new activities thus contributing to the overall objective of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

The changes are also related to extension of maximum eligibility date for implementation of the projects until 30 April 2017 in accordance with the decision of the Financial Mechanism Office from 13 October 2015.

Amendments are available here  (changes made in the regulation are marked in red)
 

Experience stories from the participants of the project

A booklet compiling experience stories within the pre-defined project „Increasing territorial development planning capacities of planning regions and local governments of Latvia and elaboration of development planning documents” under the Norway Grants programme „Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” has been prepared.

The stories provide insight into following issues:

  • what are the benefits of institutions and their employees that have participated in the project activities (both personal and institutional gains);

  • what are the most useful conclusions gained during the project;

  • what activities should be continued in the future in order to strengthen institutional capacities further.

Please see the booklet here.

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  • Seminar on Mutual Complementarities of the Projects and Experience of Norway

    On 29 April 2016 in order to ensure transfer of knowledge and best practise examples Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development in cooperation with Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities organised a seminar for project promoters of Norway Grants programme „Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – programme) and their partners.

    Seminar was attended by state, regional and local level institutions, as well as experts in the field of regional development from Latvia and Norway. Participants shared experiences on similar and different regional development challenges in both countries and discussed possible ways of overcoming them. Discussions on public services provision and entrepreneurship promotion took place within two working groups.

    Seminar was organised under the Fund for Bilateral Relations of the programme.
     
    Presentations of the seminar


     

    o  Implementation of regional policy actions in Latvia and elaboration of regional development measures 
    E. Spruksts, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
    o  Increasing territorial development planning capacities of planning regions and local governments of Latvia and elaboration of development planning documents
    L. Dimitrijeva, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
    o  Smart governance and performance improvement of Latvian municipalities
    L. Pudža, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments

    Public services provision
    o  J.Turlajs, Map publishing office Jāņa sēta Ltd
    o  A.Salmiņš, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
    o  E.M.Gartner, Gjesdal municipality

    Entrepreneurship promotion
    o  V.Stankevičs, Latgale Entrepreneurship Centre
    o  B.Rongevær, Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities

     

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    Public services provision work group 

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    Entrepreneurship promotion work group
     

     

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    Cooperation Committee 9th Meeting

    On 28 April 2016 in Adazi (Latvia) Norway Grants programme „ Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” 9th Cooperation Committee meeting took place.

    Day started with participation in the final conference of the pre-defined project “Integration of specially protected nature territories of Latvia in spatial plans” (Project Promoter – Nature Conservation Agency) which was attended by project’s Norwegian partners – Oppland County represented by Ms Turid Knutsen-Lovik who emphasized that Oppland County and Nature Conservation Agency will continue the started cooperation in the fields of nature management also after conclusion of the project. The conference was also attended by more than 50 representatives of different state, regional and local level institutions, spatial planning specialists and NGOs

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    Ms Turid Knutsen-Lovik giving speech at the opening of the conference

    After participation in the final project conference, during the 9th Cooperation Committee meeting issues related to implementation progress, achieved results and monitoring of the programme were reviewed. Representatives of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, Ministry of Finance and Royal Norwegian Embassy as well as State Regional Development Agency discussed current status and further steps connected to prior mentioned issues.
    Additionally, taking into consideration the granted extension of programme eligibility date until 30 December 2017, discussions on still to be implemented or finalised future activities took place as well. 
     
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    Cooperation Committee meeting participants reviewing programme progress

    In the closure of the day, participants of the meeting visited the Etnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia where they were introduced to traditional Latvian culture as well as implemented measures for support of youth employment and current projects implemented in the Museum. The lively and full of peculiar detailes presentation was given by Deputy Head of Education and Information Division of the Museum Ms Līga Miklaševiča.
     
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    Ms Līga Miklaševiča sharing stories about Latvian traditional culture

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    Participants of the meeting discussing issues related to youth employment and role of the Museum in sustaining Latvian cultural heritage

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    Seminar on Implementation Progress and Mutual Complementarities of the Projects


    On 13 November, 2015 in Riga with the aim to ensure a more effective implementation of Norway Grants programme „Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – programme) Programme Operator organized a seminar for project promoters and their Latvian partners.

    Programme Operator – Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (hereinafter – MoEPRD) and State Regional Development Agency – shared the relevant programme level information, int.al. Bilateral Fund opportunities, progress of achieving the programme results, project monitoring issues and publicity activities.

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    Representatives of Programme Operator informing on programme implementation and monitoring

    Project Promoters – MoEPRD, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments and Nature Conservation Agency – informed participants on matters related to project implementation, including progress of achieving the projects results, benefits delivered through implementation of project activities, challenges and cooperation experience carried out between the projects.

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    Project Promoters informing on project implementation matters

    Seminar was appreciated both from organizers and participants as a good way for exchanging information and experience, as well as it promotes strengthening cooperation and effective implementation of the program.

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    Team of Programme Operator and Project Promoters

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    Cooperation Committee 8th Meeting

     

    On 10 – 11 September 2015 in Oslo, Norway the 8th Cooperation Committee meeting of the Norway Grants programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” took place. During the meeting representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and State Regional Development Agency as the Programme Operator in collaboration with representatives of Financial Mechanism Office and Donor Programme Partner – Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities discussed issues regarding progress of the implementation of the programme and achieved results.

    The 2nd day of the meeting was also attended by experts in regional development affairs of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development in order to discuss possible future collaboration areas between Latvian and Norwegian institutions. Participants were also introduced to results of a study financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Local Governments and Modernisation on impact of cities and its surrounding areas on economic growth in Norway.

    At the closure of the meeting representatives concluded that cooperation started within the frame of the programme both at the national and local level is being successfully implemented and would need to continue, taking over each other's experiences and best practices.

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    „Within the framework of the Norway Grants programme „Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – programme) was an informative video material developed about a strategic partnership promotion and experience exchange event organized under the Fund for Bilateral Relations of the programme.

    For more information on the event please visit the web-page of the Programme Operator.


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    Norway Grants programme interim assessment seminar

    15.05.2015.

    In order to evaluate progress of implementation of the Norway Grants programme „Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – programme) there was an interim assessment seminar held on 13 May 2015 in Riga, Kipsala.


    The seminar was opened by Ms Ināra Buda, who represented Programme Operator - Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter - MoEPRD). Ms Buda emphasized significant contribution of the programme in strengthening capacity and mutual cooperation between state, regional and local level institutions in Latvia.


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    Ms Ināra Buda, MoEPRD

    In the opening part of the seminar H.E. Ambassador of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia Mr Steinar Egil Hagen, as well as representative of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Governments Ms Elita Cakule, deputy state secretary in regional development affairs of MoEPRD Ms Ilona Raugze and chairman of Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments Mr Andris Jaunsleinis addressed the audience.


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    H.E. Steinar Egil Hagen, Ambassador of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia

    In the first part of the seminar the audience was introduced to already achieved and planned to be achieved results, as well as to bilateral cooperation experience within the programme.
    The second part of the seminar was devoted to best practice examples within the pre-defined projects of the programme. Representative of the Latgale planning region informed on input of the representation of Latgale region in Riga to development of the region, representative of Urban Institute shared impressions on implementation of the training programme for Latvian communities, representative of Latvian Association of Spatial Planners introduced to challenges in development of Abava ancient valley nature protection plan and representative of Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Governments shared experience of Norway in operating municipality “Efficiency Networks” and emphasized importance of mutual cooperation.
     
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    Ms Elita Cakule, Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Governments


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    Cooperation Committee 7th Meeting

    On 18 December, 2014 in Riga the 7th Cooperation Committee meeting of the Norway Grants programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” took place. During the meeting representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, as well as the State Regional Development Agency as the Programme Operator informed representatives of the Donor Programme Partner – Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia and the National Focal Point on issues regarding the implementation of the programme.

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    Members of the Cooperation Committee discuss issues related to the implementation of the programme

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    Representatives of the Donor Programme Partner participate in discussion about implementation of the programme

    Pre-defined Project Promoter reported upon topical issues related to implementation of the projects Implementation of regional policy actions in Latvia and elaboration of regional development measures and Increasing territorial development planning capacities of planning regions and local governments of Latvia and elaboration of development planning documents.


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    Representatives of the Pre-defined Project Promoter inform about issues regarding project implementation


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    Amendments to the regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of 26 February, 2013 No 111 have been published

    „Amendments to Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of 26 February, 2013 No 111 “Procedures for Implementation of Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 Period Programme “Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities”” have been published. Amendments are available here (changes made in the regulation are marked in red).


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    Amendments to the regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of 26 February, 2013 No 111

    On October 8, 2014 the regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No 566 „Amendments to the regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers of 26 February, 2013 No 111 “Procedures for Implementation of Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 Period Programme “Capacity Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities”” came into force. The amendments in english will be available in the later in October, 2014.


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    Conference Innovation in the Public Sector: From Ideas to Action

    On 29 September, 2014 in Rezekne a conference Innovation in the Public Sector: From Ideas to Action is being organized. The aim of the conference is to stimulate implementation of innovations in the public sector in Latvia.

    Latvian and Norwegian specialists from following fields - regional development, rural development, green innovations, public procurement, green energy and road infrastructure – will take part and share their experience and point of view in the conference.

    In the conference topics like innovation and regional development in Latvia and Norway, main challenges in regional development and public sector innovation, synergy of cooperation for the local economic development, green innovation and innovation in public procurements will be discussed.

    The conference is organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Latvia and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, organization Innovation Norway and the Rezekne Municipality.

    The conference is being co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014 programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities”.
    More information about the conference see here.

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    Informative Seminar  About Eligible Costs Within Projects and Preparation of Project Reports

    On 6 August, 2014, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (hereinafter – MEPRD) organized an informative seminar „Eligible Costs Within Projects and Preparation of Project Reports” within the Norway Grants Programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – the Programme), where representatives of the Programme Operator (MEPRD and State Regional Development Agency), pre-defined projects of the Programme and their partners took part.

    Participants of the seminar were informed about eligible costs of the Programme’s pre-defined projects, preparation of project reports, publicity requirements and topical issues regarding binding regulation.

    Participants agreed that topics covered in the seminar were important, as well as that the gained knowledge would improve the further work of the pre-defined projects’ promoters and their partners.


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    Cooperation Committee 6th Meeting

    On 6 June, 2014 in Trondheim, Norway the 6th Cooperation Committee meeting of the Norway Grants programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” was held. During the meeting representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and State Regional Development Agency as the Programme Operator together with representatives from Donor programme partner – Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities were discussing questions regarding progress of the programme implementation.


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    Informative Event of the EEA and Norway Grants

    On 17 May, 2014, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (hereinafter – MEPRD) as the Norway Grants Programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” Operator, celebrating 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution participated in the informative event of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants. During the event representatives of the MEPRD informed interested participants about Programme’s “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” objective and planned results.

    More information about the event see here: http://eeagrants.lv/?id=49&zina=105


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    • what are the benefits of institutions and their employees that have participated in the project activities (both personal and institutional gains);

    • what are the most useful conclusions gained during the project;

    • what activities should be continued in the future in order to strengthen institutional capacities further.

      • Pre-defined Project presentations
      • Experts’ presentation
    • According to the Rules of Cabinet of Ministers No. 111 of 26 February 2013 “Implementation Procedure for the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 period programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities”” (hereinafter – the Rules of Cabinet of Ministers) paragraph 36, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Republic of Latvia (hereinafter – the MEPRD) as Programme Operator of the Programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – the Programme) on 18 of July 2013 has sent the invitation letters to the promoters of pre-defined projects (hereinafter – projects).

       

      The project promoters should prepare and submit Project applications in accordance with the Rules of Cabinet of Ministers.

      The deadline of submission of Project applications to the MEPRD is 18 of October 2013.

      MEPRD organized Programme’s opening conference „Capacity building in territorial development and good governance: challenges and opportunities for balanced economic development” on 25 April, 2013, which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija, in Riga, Latvia. Read more>>

       

      According to the paragraph 43 of the Rules of Cabinet of Ministers No.111 of 26 February 2013 “Implementation Procedure  of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 period programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – the Rules of Cabinet of Ministers), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Republic of Latvia (hereinafter – the MEPRD) as Programme Operator of the Programme “Capacity-Building and Institutional Cooperation between Latvian and Norwegian Public Institutions, Local and Regional Authorities” (hereinafter – the Programme) till 18 of October 2013 has received by email the applications of promoters of pre-defined projects (hereinafter – projects):
       

      The projects were evaluated in accordance with Eligibility and quality evaluation criteria, according to the Annex Nr.4 of Rules of Cabinet of Ministers.  On 28 November 2013 the evaluation process was completed and positive conclusions were sent to the Project promoters.

      • Nr.4.3-24/NFI/INP-001 „Implementation of regional policy actions in Latvia and elaboration of regional development measures” (MEPRD)

      • Nr.4.3-24/NFI/INP-002 „Increasing territorial development planning capacities of planning regions and local governments of Latvia and elaboration of development planning documents” (MEPRD)

      • Nr.4.3-24/NFI/INP-003 „Integration of specially protected nature territories of Latvia in spatial plans” (Nature Conservation Agency)

      • Nr.4.3-24/NFI/INP-004 „Smart governance and performance improvement of Latvian municipalities” (Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments)