Today an important milestone of development of Latvia-Lithuania cross-border cooperation programme 2021–2027 has been achieved – the Latvian government expressed support to submission of the Programme to the European Commission. A similar approval by the Lithuanian government has already been received on 8 December 2021. Consequently, the Managing Authority will submit the Programme to the EC for review in early March.

The aim of the Programme is to strengthen cooperation between the border regions of Latvia and Lithuania.

Support for cross-border cooperation activities is planned in four priority areas: strengthening institutional capacity and cooperation between citizens, green and sustainable development, a socially inclusive society and the economic potential of tourism, natural and cultural heritage.

The Programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the total available ERDF funding for the implementation of cross-border cooperation projects is 29 million euro. Beneficiaries will be able to receive co-financing for the implementation of project activities in the amount of 80% of the eligible expenses.

Beneficiaries – project partners – can be national, regional, local public authorities, public equivalent bodies and NGO’s.

The Programme area includes Kurzeme, Zemgale and Latgale regions in Latvia and Klaipeda, Telšiai, Siauliai, Panevezys and Utena counties in Lithuania.

It is foreseen that soon after the decision on the approval of the Programme is taken by the European Commission  (provisionally in the second half of 2022), funding will become available for implementation of projects. Until then, the Programme Member States, in cooperation with the Managing Authority/ Joint Secretariat will be working on necessary arrangements for start of the Programme. It is expected that the first call for proposals would be announced at the end of 2022.