EU funds for shelter development and adaptation in Latvia: 22 million euros

To accelerate the development and adaptation of shelters in Latvia, the EU Funds Thematic Committee has agreed to allocate 22 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund for this purpose. Today, a proposal for the potential distribution of funding has been sent to municipalities for evaluation.

It is intended that the current offer will allow for the adaptation and equipping of at least 500 state and municipal-owned facilities in accordance with Category III shelters.

To ensure that the funding provides shelters for the largest possible number of people, the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has categorized shelters using several criteria, including population density in the populated area, shelter location within the municipality, and others.

In order to move forward with the installation and adaptation of shelters as quickly as possible, the Ministry of the Interior has asked municipalities to provide their opinion on the funding distribution proposal by the end of February. The ministry also indicates that negotiations are underway with the donor countries of the European Economic Area and Norway Grants for the allocation of additional funding from this instrument, starting from 2027.

More information in latvian: https://www.iem.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/no-es-fondiem-patvertnem-novirzis-22-miljonus-eiro-pasvaldibam-izvertesanai-nodots-finansejuma-sadales-priekslikums?fbclid=IwY2xjawI1FzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSUZrYhzuTWhUaHj4qpmelwhkuASii-vLaMk1z3eWrPNshL2vrfoQAqNjQ_aem_V3ZWlHGdWvM__JXe2n20iw