On 9 July 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft regulations* prepared by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development on the allocation of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for the improvement and development of the infrastructure of the nature centres of the national parks (Gauja, Slītere, Ķemeri and Rāzna).
“This funding will allow us to significantly improve the infrastructure of the national park nature centres, providing the public with a modern and educational environment in which to discover and gain an understanding of natural values and environmental processes,” says I. Bērziņa, Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development.
The aim of the measure is to inform and educate the public about biodiversity and climate issues, as well as about environmental processes in general, thereby improving public environmental awareness. Investments will be made in infrastructure development, providing the nature centres with modern content and methods that represent the values of the particular nature park.
In addition, each of the nature centres will provide basic skills and knowledge for responsible visits to natural areas, covering the interaction between people and nature and inspiring conscious exploration of nature and sustainable behaviour.
The available ERDF funding is EUR 8.14 million, with national budget co-financing of at least EUR 1.44 million.
The measure will be implemented through a restricted selection process, with the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP) designated as the project applicant, in order to carry out the task delegated to the agency – educating the public in the field of nature conservation. DAP is the manager of the national nature parks and specially protected nature areas and implements the Nature Education Development Concept for 2021–2030.
As a result of the measure, support is planned for four nature and environmental education centres, reaching at least 201 thousand visitors in the first year of the projects' post-monitoring period.
The selection of project applications and supervision of implementation will be provided by the Central Finance and Contracting Agency. The project must be implemented by the end of 2029. Please follow the latest information about project selection rounds on the website of the Central Finance and Contracting Agency: https://www.cfla.gov.lv/lv/2021-2027-projektu-atlases
* European Union cohesion policy programme for 2021–2027, specific support objective 2.2.3 “Improve nature conservation and biodiversity, ‘green’ infrastructure, particularly in the urban environment, and reduce pollution”, measure 2.2.3.2 “Environmental education measures for public awareness and skills development”