Description
The Latvian Fund for Nature wants to participate in decision-making processes. This option has been hampered by the depletion of the previously available financial resources. The realization of the project will provide NGOs and nature conservation interest groups quality opinions in decision-making processes. By integration of environmental and nature conservation demands into policy planning documents and regulations, the project aims to strengthen civil society and promote the decision making-process based on the benefit for society and sustainable development principles. The foundation will participate actively in decision-making processes of all important national policy planning documents; it will monitor public administration and collaborate with different stakeholders. Representation for environmental and nature protections issues will be provided during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU (2015) by the foundation in cooperation with the European Environmental Bureau
Summary of project results
The implementation of the Operational Program has strengthened civic society as well as decision making in a way that corresponds to the principles of sustainable development. Environmental protection and nature conservation concerns have been incorporated into policy planning documents and pieces of legislation. Range of meetings with NGOs at different levels took place in order to achieve successful results – 8 national scale NGOs, 7 local scale NGOs and 7 NGOs from other sectors have been involved. Exchange of information and recognition of problems took place in the frame of this cooperation as well as common agreement on solutions has been reached. Initiatives of local groups were supported in the fields of spatial planning and environmental protection. Latvian Fund for Nature (LFN) was present at 11 consultative boards. During the implementation of the Operational Program LFN came up with position papers on 31 pieces of legislation. As a result environmental protection concerns were taken into account. Moreover civic society was strengthened in general, too. LFN continued active cooperation with international frameworks, such as European Environmental Bureau (EEB), CEEweb for Biodiversity, EKOenergy Network and others. In close cooperation with EEB we took active part at the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council. By means of strengthening organization capacity employees, Council members and volunteers of LFN have got new skills and knowledge on many issues related to sustainable development and individual capabilities. Both fundraising and new partners have been raised by elaboration of new project proposals. Donations from general public were used to raise society’s awareness on nature conservation by implementation of high-tech innovative project on online web cameras at the nests of protected bird species. This activity got high public interest by reaching 7 million hits. At the same time improvements of Dabasdati and LFN homepages allowed to communicate our messages to broader audience. Forum at Dabasdati involved a lot of active volunteers from general public thus fostering publicity as well as gathering of valuable information.
Summary of bilateral results