Key information about the programme
- The programme is operated by: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development in Latvia
- The Donor Programme Partner in this programme is: Norwegian Environment Agency
- The programme's objective is: Climate change mitigation and reduced vulnerability to climate change
- The programme funding (excluding co-financing) amounts to 14 million Euros and is funded by the Norway Grants only.
Why is the programme needed?
Quality of life, economic competitiveness, employment and security all rely on our shared natural capital in the ecosystem. Due to climate change there is an increased risk of negative effects on the environment and public health in Latvia as well as the rest of Europe.
In line with the EU Climate and Energy Framework, the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, Latvia aims to ensure its transition towards low carbon and climate resilient development. To reach their CO2 emission reduction targets, Latvia requires a strengthened national climate policy and adjustment to sectoral policies to increase awareness and responsibility across sectors. In addition, Latvia requires improved planning of climate target deliverables and a soil carbon monitoring system.
What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries?
The planned activities in the Latvian Climate programme have a strong sustainability component. Overall the programme supports and informs policy development and implementation of the day-to-day work in state institutions, municipalities, research institutions and the private sector. The programme will also update information on soil data and indicators which will be used to develop better targeted land-use planning, sustainable land resource management solutions, and more accurate greenhouse gas emissions calculation. Warning systems will be used to reduce risks of adverse climate and to improve safety of people. By remediation of polluted sites, the programme expected to have long-term impact in Latvia.
By improving climate change policies and implement changes at all levels, Latvia aims to improve their score on the EU Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard from 60% today to a score of 80% by the end of the programme. Further, the programme aims to increase the capacity to develop and apply climate change policies at 16 public institutions. In regard to providing more robust and reliable national soil data, both the number of public institutions with improved capacity in this field will increase from a baseline of zero to five and national experts trained will increase from zero to ten. It is expected that 30.000 inhabitants will benefit from reduced pollution of polluted sites which will have long-term impact on the society as a whole.
How will the programme strengthen bilateral relations?
The programme will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Latvia and Norway. Partnerships will be facilitated through matchmaking events and activities in conjunction with the launch of calls for proposals. Norwegian partnerships in projects will be encouraged in the open calls for proposals under the programme. These partnerships are expected to result in mutually beneficial activities and long-lasting cooperation between involved partners.
Availability of funding through open calls
In addition to two pre-defined projects in the programme agreement, funding in this programme will be made available through one open call for proposal on “Reduced risk of pollution from polluted sites”.
- The open call is planned to be launched on the first quarter of 2020.
A bilateral call is foreseen shortly before the call for proposal.
Download the full programme agreement for more detailed information about the programme
More information can also be found on the National Focal Point's website and on the website of the Norwegian Environment Agency