On October 17, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft regulations* developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD) for improving the skills of municipal and regional specialists in order to ensure progress towards a climate-neutral economy and reduce risks related to climate change in the most affected regions, promoting the mitigation of socioeconomic consequences. The project selection competition will be financed from the Just Transition Fund - 1.53 million euro.
In keeping with the scope of the Just Transition Platform agreed with the European Commission, support for local governments and regional specialists of Latgale, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Kurzeme statistical region is planned as part of the event. A limited selection of project submissions is planned, where the project submitter is MoEPRD. Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale planning regions will be involved in the project as cooperation partners, as well as the ministry envisages the close involvement of local governments in creating the content of the project.
Within the framework of the event, four regional training programs will be implemented to improve the qualifications of municipal and regional specialists, by organizing knowledge and skills improvement activities in such areas as, for example, developing "green" business areas, climate insurance, preparation of green public procurement, the use of information technology in planning climate-neutral solutions, etc.
In general, increasing the skills of municipal and regional specialists in this field will promote balanced development and transformation of regions towards climate neutrality in the long term.
The measure is expected to be implemented by December 31, 2029.
The event's investments are planned in accordance with the Latvian National Development Plan 2021-2027, Regional Policy Guidelines for 2021-2027 and Just Transition Platform.
*Draft regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers "European Union Cohesion Policy Program for 2021-2027 6.1.1. of the specific support objective "Mitigating the economic, social and environmental consequences of the transition to climate neutrality in the most affected regions" 6.1.1.8. the implementation rules of the measure "Increasing the skills of local government and regional specialists in climate-neutral economy and mitigation of socio-economic consequences related to climate change"
