Description
The objective of the project is to increase the territorial development planning capacities of planning regions and local governments of Latvia and to elaborate regional and national level territorial development planning documents. This objective will be reached in partnership with counties in Norway through the implementation of the following activities: 1. Strengthening the capacity of planning regions for elaboration of regional development planning documents. 2. Improvement of territorial development planning capacities of local governments. 3. Establishment of linkage between the territorial development planning and budget planning at the local level. 4. Elaboration of national long-term thematic plan for the coastal area of the Baltic Sea. The planned results of the project include the development and upgrading of planning documents, the organisation of events for the exchange of experience of knowledge, the creation of strategic partnerships and the introduction of the territorial approach to investment planning to a number of state, regional and local institutions. The project target groups are public and non-governmental organizations in Latvia.
Summary of project results
The objective of the project is to enhance capacity and quality of the services provided by public institutions, local and regional authorities through enhanced institutional capacity and human resources development and to establish networks for cooperation between state, regional and local authorities in Norway and Latvia. Aim is to increase territorial development planning capacities of planning regions and local governments of Latvia and to elaborate regional and national level territorial development planning draft documents. Primary target groups are the planning regions of Latvia, local governments of Latvia, non-governmental organizations of Latvia. The measures that are directly targeted at the capacity-building of the planning regions of Latvia have been planned for project activities 1 (all planning regions) and 4 (Kurzeme and Riga planning regions). The measures that are directly targeted at the capacity-building of the local governments of Latvia have been planned for project activities 2 and 3 and the measures directly targeted at the capacity-building of local communities have been planned for project activity 2. Secondary target groups are state institutions of Latvia, other legal entities and individuals. The project was implemented in the following activities: Strengthening the capacity of planning regions for elaboration of regional development planning documents, Improvement of territorial development planning capacities of local governments, Establishment of linkage between the territorial development planning and budget planning at the local level, Elaboration of national long-term thematic plan for the coastal area of the Baltic Sea, Publicity. During the Project following results were achieved: developed and improved 45 (was planned 38) planning documents of local, regional and national level, 30 (was planned 25) national, regional and local authorities have adopted the territorial approach to investment planning, held 15 (was planned 15) experience and knowledge exchange visits and seminars between Latvian and Norwegian authorities, established 8 (was planned 5) strategic partnerships between the Latvian and Norwegian authorities, trained administrative staff.
Summary of bilateral results
During the Project were organized 15 experience and knowledge exchange visits between Latvian and Norwegian authorities. Established 8 strategic partnerships between the Latvian and Norwegian authorities. Parties have signed a cooperation agreements of intent which lays down that parties are interested in possible future co-operation: experience exchange, information exchange, possible partnership in new Project implementation. The future co-operation and activities can be implemented by following activities: experience exchange seminars, sharing good practice and ideas, new Project elaboration. Norwegian partners provided experience exchange events for specialists of local governments, planning regions and state government institutions to learn and adopt Norwegian bestpractice. Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation contributed to the achievement of the project’s objectives and outcomes by sharing its experience and providing examples of good practice in regional development policy, including support measures for remote and sparsely populated territories and for areas with an underdeveloped industrial base. Oppland County participated as a advisor and as Norwegian project coordinator in the implementation of all project activities. The main task of Østfold County was to share its experience and knowledge on good planning practices. Aust-Agder County implemented its activities with special emphasis on the the exchange of experience and training seminars for Latvian urban and regional planners. Also was provided consultative support.