A total amount of maximum 20 million euros of ERDF is allocated for 42 cooperation projects covering three Interreg V-A Latvia-Lithuania Programme 2014 – 2020 priorities. Contracts with 36 projects are planned to be signed after implementation of the funding conditions. Other 6 projects are placed in a reserve list and will receive funding after needed amount will be reallocated among priorities and savings from completed projects will become available. These projects were selected out of 91 project applications that were submitted for the 3rd call for proposals in summer of 2019.

In the priority 1 for supporting cooperation for sustainable and clean environment competition among projects was the highest: out of 45 submitted projects 17 best ones were selected. The total allocated sum for these projects is 11,61 million euros.

Under specific objective 1.1. new joint tourism routes and other cross-border activities will be developed by 11 tourism projects (twice as many as during 2nd call). 7,75 million euros (threefold increase compared to 2nd call) were allocated under specific objective No.1.1 for these tourism projects that aim to improve cultural and natural heritage objects, products and services so that the number of tourists coming to the cross-border region would increase.

Selected tourism projects are diverse and interesting by their ideas, planned activities and results. Thus, project Struve is going to enhance development of cognitive tourism through “The Struve geodetic arc” points as a unique technological structure of XIX century. Further following the idea, project Geotour will promote geological and geomorphological nature values but project Living rivers will create new tourism products based on cultural and natural heritage objects unified by  Daugava and Nemunas rivers. Project SUN ROUTE will link together different tourism objects, sites and attractions having common cultural and natural heritage thematic of sun in one joint tourism offer.

Programme in its portfolio now has projects Traces of Crusades and World War I Route that will utilize the historic cultural heritage with the use of modern interactive and marketing tools.

Two projects: NovelForHeritage and Explore Balts will capitalize on successfully implemented Programme’s projects by expanding their tourism products and services.

Project Hiking is going to increase number of hikers in the Programme territory by developing long distance hiking trails Forest Trail and Baltic Coastal Hiking that would continue developed trails within other projects and would stretch throughout Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Some projects are targeted at enriching cultural tourism offer in the Programme territory: project HRRB will improve historic and culture heritage of Bauska and Kaunas regions but project Tour de Crafts will develop the concept and branding of the new cross-border tourism product in craftsmanship – Tour de Crafts and digital exhibitions promoting craftsmanship.

Under specific objective 1.2. projects shall receive support for tackling environmental and nature resources management issues. Project Save past for the future will focus on the improvement of the species’ habitats in three historical parks in Preili and Zarasai municipalities, while project Urb-Area will address urban wetlands and ecosystems in Daugavpils and Anykščiai. A number of projects will address sustainable management of water bodies and water resources in the Programme territory: project MEDWwater will deal with waste of human pharmaceuticals in water; ESMIC will address plastic litter in marine and coastal environments, while TRANSWAT will focus on management of three rivers in transboundary Venta River Basin and five transboundary lakes. Other 11 lakes and water bodies will be addressed by project Live Lake. The allocated funding for these projects under specific objective 1.2 is 3,86 million euros (twofold increase compared to 2nd call).

In the priority 3 for the support of social inclusion as a precondition to territorial development 5,21 million euros are allocated to 16 projects.

8 projects under specific objective 3.1 will improve accessibility and efficiency of social services. The allocation for these projects is 3,69 million euros.

Planned activities and measures within supported projects will increase number of people benefitting from more accessible, efficient social inclusion measures and services. Thus, from improved quality and accessibility of social public services within the projects SEE ME and Risk Children children with special needs and youngsters being at risk will benefit, while joint programme for enhancement of the level of seniors’ physical activity planned by the project Active Seniors will be targeted at seniors in their everyday life.

Three projects will be working on improvement or creation of extensive number of social services and inclusion measures covering substantial part of the Programme territory and wide target groups (Power of generations, Octopus and Valued people). Two projects have their own niches: project I can work offers targeted activities for inclusion of people with disabilities into labour market but project Sensory gardens will develop innovative methodology for promotion of social inclusion and health recreation using Sensory garden’s environment in the Lithuania and Latvia.

Further 8 projects under specific objective 3.2 will improve living conditions in 30 deprived communities and territories of 80 160 km2 of programme area, and their funding allocation reaches 1,51 million euros.

Selected projects (HOME, Safe community, Practical arts, C-Active, Booster for ReStart, Med-craft, Old like new and VeloL) will be targeted at improvement of activity in different communities, such as: Rokiškis, Biržai, Dusetos, Mazeikiai, Utena, Panevežys, Zarasai, Ludza, Jēkabpils,  Aizkraukle, Krāslava, Saldus, Dobele, Daugavpils, Līvani. It is expected that wide range of project activities (e.g. trainings, experience exchange visits, sport competitions, building of sport and leisure public infrastructure, organization of summer camps, teaching craftsmanship skills, etc.) will help to create closer links in communities and make them more involved to create sustainable and cohesive socio-economic development in regions.

9 projects with a total budget of 3,28 million euros were selected in the priority 4 targeted at improvement of efficiency of public services by strengthening capacities and cooperation between 30 institutions: 16 municipalities, 4 police institutions, 2 educational and medical institutions. They will increase public safety (ONLY SAFE!, Safe school, SCAPE II, SafeCity and MuniGuard), facilitate and support youth trainings on robotics (RoboNet), improve processes of strategic and special planning (Smart planning), improve rehabilitation of patients (RehabServices) as well as make administration of graveyards more efficient (Digital Cemetery).

Projects were approved by the Monitoring Committee during its meeting on February 26 in Rīga.

Up to date 90 projects have been approved with 38,3 million euros ERDF co-funding. So far 18 projects have been closed and implementation of 30 more projects have finished implementation of project activities.

List of approved 42 projects within the 3rd call for proposals can be viewed here.

To see the list of Decisions of the Meeting please click here.