In order to promote the priority scientific research needed for the development of the forest sector, as well as to inform forest sector participants and society as a whole about the sector's development, on Tuesday 23 April the government approved proposals drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) for amendments to the procedure for granting state aid for forest sector development, setting out the funding for these purposes from the Forest Development Fund (MAF) in 2024.
State aid for forest research, training for forest owners, and public information and education programmes and projects in 2024 totals slightly more than 1.337 million euros.
Of the total funding, 477,000 euros is planned to be spent on implementing priority scientific projects for forest development. The projects provide, for example, for an assessment of non-wood forest products and their contribution to the Latvian economy, and for the drafting of forestry guidelines suited to Latvian conditions and to nature. Research will also be carried out into the impact of the mass proliferation of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle on forest management and timber resource extraction, as well as into the dynamics of wood-based panel production in Latvia, along with other projects.
A total of 288,000 euros is earmarked for specific forest sector support and development projects, including organising the annual “Zelta Čiekurs” award competition, educational projects for schoolchildren, the “Meža dienas” events and other information activities.
MAF funding is also provided for a number of targeted programmes, for which applicants may apply through a competition. 20,000 euros has been allocated to the development of vocational and higher education in the forest sector, 30,000 euros to the targeted programme for scientific research, 80,000 euros to educational events and programmes for schoolchildren and interest groups, and 25,000 euros to conferences, educational events and the publication of sector information, while just under 173,000 euros is set aside for projects in the mass media.
Scientific institutions included in the Register of Scientific Institutions may apply to carry out scientific projects, while associations, foundations or educational establishments running forest sector education programmes may apply to implement educational projects. Natural or legal persons who meet the requirements of the regulations may apply to carry out the remaining development projects and targeted programmes.
MAF was established in 2001 and is managed by the Forest Development Fund Council set up by the ZM, while decision-making and the allocation of funds also involve an advisory council, which ensures transparency in the use of the funding and promotes respect for the public interest.
The regulations “Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 265 of 26 April 2016, ‘Procedure for Granting State Aid for Forest Sector Development’” will enter into force on the day following their publication in the official gazette “Latvijas Vēstnesis”:
https://www.vestnesis.lv/op/2024/80.6