30 projects aimed at strengthening the administrative capacity of public authorities in Latvia are being carried out under the Latvian Short Term Expert Fund. The €1.1 million fund supports projects transferring know-how and best practices between Latvian public institutions and counterparts in the European Economic Area.
The supported projects span from a joint effort by Latvian and Norwegian prison authorities on a new re-socialisation program for Latvian inmates to a research project by the Latvian Association of the Deaf aimed at facilitating the participation of the deaf in Latvian society. A large number of projects are also targeting environmental improvements in Latvia and regional development.
More than 30 partners from abroad are involved in the supported projects, through study visits and workshops, joint development of feasibility studies, and research cooperation. Several Norwegian hospitals and research institutions participate in the projects.
Līga Baltiņa at the Latvian State Regional Development Agency said public spending in Latvia has been cut back as a result of the financial crisis. Many municipalities and agencies have turned to the Short Term Expert Fund for support for their projects, and the interest for the fund has been significant.
SEE ALSO: Regional and expert funds