As part of implementing the Council of Europe's European Landscape Convention, Latvia is taking part for the seventh time in the competition for the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe organised by the Council of Europe's General Secretariat (hereinafter – the competition). The aim of the competition is to reward practical initiatives that can serve as an example for improving landscape quality in the member states of the European Landscape Convention.

Each country may put forward one candidate for the competition. Latvia's candidate will be chosen through a national selection process open to state institutions, local authorities, their associations, and societies or foundations that have made a significant contribution to landscape protection and management, including planning and the implementation of practical measures.

Eight applications were submitted to the national selection for the ninth session of the competition:

• Thematic landscape plan for the Jēkabpils Forest Park and Radži reservoir areas (Applicant: Jēkabpils Municipality). Project application materials: video, application form;
• Conserving biological diversity and the natural ecosystem by developing sustainable management of the Birži and Aizkraukle recreational areas (Applicant: Aizkraukle Municipality). Project application materials: application form;
• Valmiera sports and active recreation park “Mežs” (Applicant: Valmiera Municipality). Project application materials: application form, photos;
• Restoration of wooded meadows at Lejzemnieki and Kalnkalči in Ziemeļgauja (Applicant: Latvijas Dabas fonds). Project application materials: video, photos, application form;
• Development of Stropi Forest Park (Applicant: Daugavpils City Municipality). Project application materials: application form;
• Restoration of the Eleja Manor buildings (Applicant: Jelgava Municipality). Project application materials: video, infographic, application form, photos;
• Creation of a city recreation park and youth centre in Kauguri, Jūrmala, or KAUGURU PARKS (Applicant: Jūrmala City Administration, Urban Planning Department). Project application materials: application form;
• Reconstruction of the “Pūt, vējiņi!” concert garden at Peldu iela 57, Liepāja (Applicant: Liepāja Central Administration). Project application materials: application form, photos, infographic;

The national selection in 2025 is being carried out in the following stages:

• from 28 April to 30 June – submission of applications;
• from 1 July to 15 September – evaluation of applications and compilation of the results;
• in October – announcement of the national selection results.

Regulations of Latvia's national selection for the ninth session of the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe competition

Closing seminar and results of Latvia's national selection for the eighth session of the CoE Landscape Award

On 20 October 2022, International Landscape Day, the closing seminar of Latvia's national selection for the eighth session of the CoE Landscape Award took place, at which the applicants presented their projects and the results of the national selection were announced.

Decision of the evaluation commission: to name as the winner of the selection, and to put forward as Latvia's representative for the European competition, the project submitted by Dienvidkurzeme Municipality, “The heritage of the Dienvidkurzeme coast through the centuries. The Ālande River recreation complex”. Project application materials: Video, presentation, application form.

At the same time, the evaluation commission granted commendations in 10 special categories:

• For a successful solution highlighting the idea of statehood – to the project “Reconstruction and improvement of J. Čakste Square” (submitted by Liepāja City Municipality). Project application materials: video, presentation, application form;
• For the systematic development of natural and cultural heritage in the urban environment – to the project “Bringing cultural and natural heritage to life in the public outdoor space of the Baltic Sea coast” (submitted by Ventspils City Municipality). Project application materials: presentation, application form;
• For actively involving the community in conserving and developing cultural and natural values – to the project “Initiative – the interaction of cultural history, nature and society in the landscape of Pope Hill” (submitted by the society “Popes muiža”). Project application materials: presentation, application form;
• For purposeful long-term work by local authorities in highlighting the natural and cultural values of the traditional rural landscape – to the project “Daugavas loki/Slutišķi village: creation of an Old Believers' cultural heritage centre, creative workshops, improved access and highlighting the landscape of the upper Daugava” (submitted by Augšdaugava Municipality). Project application materials: Video; presentation, application form, photographs;
• For successfully creating a spatial link between natural and cultural values, improving visitor appeal in all seasons – to the project “The Carnikava Local History Centre and the Gauja River ensemble” (submitted by Ādaži Municipality). Project application materials: video, application form;
• For high architectural quality in restoring significant historical evidence – to the project “Restoration of the Melluži open-air stage building No. 002 and reconstruction of bar No. 001, improvement of the grounds” (submitted by Jūrmala City Administration). Project application materials: presentation, application form;
• For the comprehensive development of a previously neglected area – to the project “The lower promenade of Krasta iela in Ogre” (submitted by Ogre Municipality). Project application materials: video; presentation; application form;
• For a successful solution to reducing anthropogenic pressure on a sensitive habitat – to the project “Hiking route along the Baltic Sea coast in Latvia and Estonia” (submitted by Saulkrasti Municipality). Project application materials: photographs, presentation, application form
• For purposeful landscape planning with the involvement of residents – to the project “Landscape concept for the Daugava reservoir in Aizkraukle Municipality” (submitted by Aizkraukle Municipality). Project application materials: annex, photographs, presentation, application form;
• For promoting a place in planning documents and projects – to the project “Zvejnieklīcis outdoor recreation complex” (submitted by Jēkabpils Municipality). Project application materials: presentation, application form.

The programme of the closing seminar is available here.

A video recording of the closing seminar can be viewed here.

The national selection in 2022:

• Regulations of Latvia's national selection for the eighth session of the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe competition;
• Order on the national selection evaluation commission

Five applications were submitted to the national selection for the seventh session of the competition, held in 2020:

• Creation of a multifunctional cycling park and development of the Esplanāde area in Daugavpils. Submitted by Daugavpils City Municipality.
• Creation of a walking trail and recreation area along the Venta River in Skrunda. Submitted by Skrunda Municipality.
• The project “Landscapes speak. Natural diversity in Latvia's landscapes”. Submitted by Latvijas Dabas fonds.
• Reconstruction of the hydraulic structures of Lake Tepera in Smiltene and cleaning of the lake. Submitted by Smiltene Municipality.
• Reconstruction of a tourist site by the Daugava in the historic centre of Jaunjelgava. Submitted by Jaunjelgava Municipality.

On 15 January 2021, the closing seminar of the CoE Landscape Award selection took place, at which the applicants presented their projects and the results of the national selection were announced.

Seven applications were submitted to the national selection for the sixth session of the competition, held in 2018:

• Improvement of Jaunauce Park. Submitted by the society “Mēs – Jaunaucei”.
• Water tourism development centre “Bāka”. Submitted by Rēzekne Municipality.
• Stage I of the development of the Krāslava Palace complex (2006–2015). Submitted by Krāslava Municipality.
• Renovation of part of the centre of Kandava old town and development of infrastructure. Submitted by Kandava Municipality.
• The beginnings of Latvia's cultural traditions, Dikļi – the birthplace of the Latvian Song Festival. Submitted by Kocēni Municipal Council.
• Improvement of Pasta Sala. Submitted by Jelgava City Council.
• Green urban environment – improvement of the right bank of the Bērze River by the ruins of the Livonian Order castle. Submitted by Dobele Municipality.

The highest overall score went to the application from Kocēni Municipality, “The beginnings of Latvia's cultural traditions, Dikļi – the birthplace of the Latvian Song Festival”, which earned the right to represent Latvia at European level.

In the fifth session of the competition in 2016, the right to represent Latvia went to the Daugavpils Fortress regeneration project. In European competition, too, the Daugavpils Fortress regeneration project was judged the best, and Daugavpils City Council received the main prize of the fifth session of the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe competition! The gallery from the award ceremony can be viewed here!