WTD project implementation in Latvia

Strasbourg5 June, 2014

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National workshopNational Workshop “Development cooperation – opportunities

for Latvian self-governments” was organized by the LALRG in September 2012.

Main objectives: - to strengthen the cooperation between LAs and CSOs;- to promote awareness raising and better understanding of

development issues.

Re-granting schemeCall for project applications in Latvia was opened to

LAs and CSOs in December 2012Evaluation Committee was established in January 2013Applications were selected on the following criteria :

Cooperation and synergy between CSOs and LAsOriginality and innovation of the proposalRelevance of the activity for the local communityCapacity of the organization to implement the

project

Re-granting scheme In February 2013 three projects were selectedProjects were proposed by three municipalities in

cooperation with municipalities of Georgia, Belarus, and Moldova

The best projects were co-financed with up to 2,000€, and up to 50% of the project budget.

Bauska municipality

Project focused on 'Development co-operation opportunities through networking, information exchange and training'. Main goals:

- to raise the public and citizens’ awareness, skills and capacities at the local level

- development cooperation networking between Bauska municipality and Khashuri municipality (Georgia)

Bauska municipalityActivities, carried out:- Workshop «Development cooperation experience and

lessons learnt» was organised in August 2013- Participation of the Georgian painter in an international

art plein-air «Bauska summer 2013»- Organisation of the creative master class in the Bauska

Children and Youth Art and Craft Center- Participation in the Bauska municipality Festival 2013- Information campaign; publishing articles in local and

regional newspapers, on web pages- created electronic promotional materials on

development cooperation

Jelgava municipalityProject on 'Active partnership and communities for

development'. Objective was to strengthen the already developed cooperation between municipalities of Moldova and Latvia in order to promote sustainable development and establish synergies, improve knowledge and capacity of LA’s and CSO’s in Moldova regarding sustainable development, and raising awareness among citizens.

Jelgava municipality

Study visit for the representatives of the Cahul municipality (Moldova) was organized by the Jelgava municipality (Latvia) from 5 – 9 June, 2013

Networking and training event with exchange of best practices was organized

A follow-up meeting was held after completion of the project in October 2013, in order to plan future cooperation

Gulbene municipalityProject «Struve unites through the centuries» was implemented by the Gulbene municipality (Latvia) in close cooperation with the partners in Belarus – Ashmyany District. The project brought together representatives of LAs, NGOs, youth centers, Belarusian partners, and citizens. Main activities: Seminar «Role of NGO in decision making process» Workshop «Struve’s survey promotes development

cooperation» Expedition

Gulbene municipality

Project promoted development cooperation and local democracy by sharing experiences, and set the basis for future cooperation also through the unifying element of the Struve Geodetic Arc. Gulbene municipality (Latvia) and Ashmyany District (Belorus) has station points of the Arc. That is an extraordinary example of interchange of human values in the form of scientific collaboration among scientists from different countries.

Results

- raised public and citizens’ awareness, skills and capacities on issues related to the development cooperation;

- promoted active role of LAs and CSOs in the implementation of EU development policy and issues such as sustainable development and citizen empowerment.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

Elita KresseAdviser on Foreign Affair issues

Latvian Association of Local and Regional GovernmentsPh.+371 67508534, e-mail: elita@lps.lv