The State Forest Service, having collated questions from staff and the public regarding the institution's planned structural changes, and having listened to calls not to rush these changes, has decided to slow down the implementation of the structural changes. The changes will be implemented gradually, starting from 2 May this year. The goal of these changes is to develop the service into a modern, efficient state administration institution that helps clients realise their legal interests while managing their forests sustainably.
The new structure of the State Forest Service (VMD) provides for the creation of six thematic departments instead of the previous 10 regional forest offices or regional structural units and the central administration of the institution. The Forestry Department, Hunting Department, Development Department, Support Department, Legal Department and Forest Fire Protection Department are being established, as well as an Internal Audit Division. They will commence work on 2 May.
The new structure addresses several identified problems that have been pointed out by the service's staff, clients, and partners, such as the lack of objective and equal treatment of clients across all structural units, the susceptibility of officials' decisions to influence, and uneven staff workload. These problems cannot be solved within the existing management structure.
“VMD has long faced difficulties in carrying out its assigned functions at a satisfactory level without a fairly significant increase in funding. Each year, we request additional state budget funding of € 4 million, but this funding is never granted. The changes are aimed at enabling us to fulfil our remit and at the same time operate within existing funding by doing things differently,” emphasises VMD Director General Aina Stašāne.
The implementation of the new structure is expected to have a positive impact on the accessibility of VMD services. Face-to-face customer service will continue to take place at all existing customer service centres (forest offices), and in addition to the structural changes, VMD will develop customer service and e-services, thereby improving the quality of the services provided.
VMD changes are based on achieving the goals set out in the institution's operational strategy for 2021–2027. The operational strategy has been approved by the Minister of Agriculture, and all leading VMD staff have participated in its development. For the coming years, the service has set as its priorities the creation of an excellent customer experience when receiving services, strengthening the service's capacity by improving process and resource management, as well as promoting staff professionalism and motivation.