The Forest Sector Competence Centre (MNKC) has announced calls for research project applications under two Recovery Fund programmes:

Under RF programme 5.1.1.2.i. "New Products II", project No. 5.1.1.2.i.0/2/24/A/CFLA/001, research projects for the development of new products and services in the timber industry, as well as for the transfer of knowledge into the national economy, may be submitted until 16.02.2025. The available RF funding is EUR 4.176 million.

Under RF programme 1.2.1.2.i.2. Green Products, project No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/001, research project applications may be submitted until 11.02.2025 for the development of new products, technologies and services that promote a low-carbon economy, resilience to climate change or adaptation to it, attracting private co-financing for the introduction of innovation. The available RF funding is EUR 2.094 million.

Support for a single project may amount to up to 80% of the project's eligible costs, depending on the size of the business. The project implementation period runs until the end of 2027. Support funding in the form of a grant can be received every 3 or 6 months.

Further information and project application forms are available at: MNKC - Meža nozares kompetences centrs

Project applications must be submitted electronically: anita.indena@mnkc.lv

Support and consultations are also available for preparing the project application documentation.

The strategic aim of such research projects would be the widespread use of renewable resources (wood and wood materials) in the national economy, the development of a new generation of functional materials for packaging and transport, new technologies for the manufacture of wood materials and products, as well as the intensification of heat and power generation from forest biomass, and so on.

A second important strategic aim within this research direction is to implement projects that would help increase the value of Latvia's forests in the future by offering industry timber of predictable quality, that would advance the development of forest resource accounting, management planning and logistics processes and increase companies' competitiveness, or that would identify opportunities to improve it specifically within the forest growing process, and so on.

Support can be obtained under the Recovery Fund (RF), a European Union initiative established to help member states overcome the economic and social consequences created in the markets, as well as to strengthen the European economy in the long term. The aim of the RF is to support sustainable development by promoting economic restructuring, the introduction of new technologies and climate change mitigation.