Study visit of the representatives of the Development Council of the Vidzeme Planning Region to the Viken County in Norway

Bilateral initiative facts

Promoter:
Vidzeme Planning Region(LV)
Bilateral initiative number:
LV-LOCALDEV-BI013
Status:
Completed
Initial cost:
€9,368
Actual cost:
€6,916
Initiative Types:
Study tour
Partners:
Fredrikstad Innovation Park(NO)
Fredrikstad Municipality(NO)
Halden Municipality(NO)
Indre Ostfold County(NO)
Organization “Visit Fredrikstad & Hvaler”(NO)
Sorby Utleie(NO)

Description

One of the most important priorities for the Vidzeme Planning Region is economic development, innovation and attraction of investments both at the regional and municipal level. The Vidzeme Planning Region has expressed its interest to learn the best experience of Norwegian partners from Viken County in the mentioned fields, share experience and strengthen economic cooperation with Norway. The acquired knowledge and contacts will pave the way for new projects and investments in both regions.

The initiative aims:

1)to learn the best experience of the municipalities  of Norway in cooperation with

Summary of the results

The Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) Bilateral Cooperation Fund (DSF) implemented the initiative in line with the specified information in the DSF application and the approved goals of the DSF initiative by the Program Cooperation Committee.

6 VPR representatives participated, including those from 4 municipalities in Vidzeme districts. The objective was to learn from Norwegian municipalities'' best practices in entrepreneur collaboration and understand Norway''s regional business support programs. Additionally, the aim was to foster cooperation between Norwegian and Vidzeme municipalities for ongoing projects and future business support.

During the visit, meetings were held with the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Norway and the Latvian Investment and Development Agency''s representative office (LIAA) in Norway. Discussions took place with Fredrikstad Municipality, Fredrikstad Innovation Park, "Visit Fredrikstad & Hvaler" organization, Indre Ostfold region''s municipality, and "Sorby Utleie" company. Among topics discussed was Norway''s interest in investing in Latvian businesses. Furthermore, professional investment offers from municipalities/regions were presented, including territorial data, labor force analysis, and skills mapping.

This event has facilitated bilateral relations establishment with the Donor State, while also ensuring the exchange of experiences among local government representatives regarding regional-level business support matters.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.