The Programme would like to share some statistics on its projects by the end of the year.

In overall, 100 projects out of the total 132 approved projects have completed their implementation. Among them, 87 projects have been closed by the Programme, it means that their Lead partners received final payments.

24 projects from the 3rd call are on the full speed of their implementation but 15 projects completed their implementation. Ongoing projects are doing their best to implement project activities and deliver planned outputs and results. However, some projects face challenges and seek for solutions of problems in deliveries of ordered equipment, significant increase of prices and delays in implementation of (re)construction works.

87 projects have already received the final payments for the total amount of about 34,7 million EUR ERDF.

To conclude, all the Programme projects must finish their implementation by the end of June 2023.

Some highlights of completed projects we would like to share with you.

Within project LLI-448 „Hiking project“ two long distance hiking trails – Forest trail and Baltic Coastal hiking route – developed in Latvia (from Riga to Lithuanian border) and Lithuania. Distance of Forest trail (LT.: Miško takas) in Lithuania – 747 km or 36-38 days, distance of Forest trail (LV.: Mežtaka) Southern part in Latvia – 341 km or 16-18 days. Distance of Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (LT.: Jūrų takas, LV.: Jūrtaka) in Lithuania – 216 km or 10-12 days. Long distance hiking trails were created in Lithuania for the first time and they already are recognized by Ministry of Economy of Republic of Lithuania as best tourism products. Trails in Lithuania and Latvia are marked in nature with paints, stickers, signs and posters. Also, system of certificates for service providers – Hiker Friendly – was created in both countries and 272 service providers received certificates. Morover, 8 resting places were built in Latvia and Lithuania for the needs of hikers. The complex marketing campaign (printed materials, publications, videos, social network campaigns) ensured that new hiking trails are known for a large number of hikers. The main achievement of the project is increased number of visitors to the Programme area.

During the implementation of project LLI 444 NovelForHeritage activities – expeditions, seminars and research – insights were gained both about the heritage of the landscape architect Georg Kuphaldt, as well as the importance of historical parks and gardens and their current situation in the field of tourism. The activities of various public events and temporary installations helped to promote the historical manor parks in Eleja and Žagare. In Eleja new exhibition hall was constructed and in Žagare interactive indoor exposition with virtual reality format educational programmes for Žagare Manor Park created and installed.