Circular forest trail routes for families in Valmiera municipality

As previously reported, the Vidzeme Planning Region has developed two circular educational routes along the Forest Trail for families with young children. Both routes form loops that return to their starting points and are marked in nature with the “Brīvdabis” sign. These short routes are also useful for travellers who are unable or do not wish to hike the longer sections of the Forest Trail.

On Section 8 of the Forest Trail, Caunītes–Valmiera, near Sietiņiezis, a 3.8 km trail has been established, starting and ending at the Sietiņiezis car park. Outdoor educational games have been installed at four locations along the trail, allowing visitors to learn about forest animals and the sounds produced by the wood of different tree species. The route is partially accessible with pushchairs, as one section includes stairs.

On Section 10 of the Forest Trail, Strenči–Spicu Bridge, near Kauči, a 3 km trail with a digital educational game has been developed, in which participants answer questions about the surrounding nature and cultural history. The game is free, available in Latvian and English, and can only be played while following the route. A smartphone with the LOQUIZ app and mobile data is required. This route is also suitable for walks with pushchairs.

On 18 September this year, the Vidzeme Planning Region team, together with tourism specialists and nature guides, hiked the circular Forest Trail route near Kauči in Valmiera Municipality. The hike was followed by a seminar during which participants discussed minor improvements to the hiking experience, whether the trails need to be segmented, and how, where and in what ways information about the trails should be communicated to reach a wider audience.

This publication was prepared using information provided by the Latvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”. Photos: “Lauku ceļotājs” and the Vidzeme Planning Region.

District heating infrastructure has existed in municipalities across Vidzeme since the Soviet era, but making it more efficient and sustainable is becoming increasingly important. One possibility is to utilise waste heat generated by industrial companies. Waste heat is thermal energy generated during production processes that is not used beneficially. To explore practical solutions and assess their suitability for Vidzeme, representatives from the region took part in a Green4HEAT project study visit to Antwerp, Belgium, in September.

The visit, which took place on 8–9 September 2026, was attended by Laura Dzelzkalēja, Lead Expert of the Green4HEAT project at Vidzeme Planning Region, and Arita Krūmiņa, Energy Manager at SIA “Vidzeme Hospital”. Together with project partners and stakeholder representatives, they visited several district heating facilities and explored different approaches to utilising waste heat.

The visit to Antwerp enabled project participants to look at district heating development from a different perspective. Although improving the efficiency of district heating networks and using sustainable heat sources are relevant issues in both countries, their previous experience and stages of infrastructure development differ.

These differences are especially evident in district heating network planning. Latvia’s experience may be useful to Belgian partners, while projects implemented in Antwerp provide examples of how new heat producers can be integrated into district heating systems and industrial waste heat can be utilised.

Waste heat generated during Agfa-Gevaert’s industrial processes is utilised through the Warmte Verzilverd initiative in Mortsel. This project involves cooperation between the company, residents and cooperatives. Once the system is fully developed, the recovered waste heat is expected to be supplied through district heating networks to provide heating for approximately 340 households and four small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the Indaver facility in northern Antwerp, participants learned about recovering heat generated during waste treatment processes and transferring it to the district heating network.

Participants also explored residential heating solutions provided by Fluvius. These examples enabled participants to compare industrial-scale systems with heat supply to residential buildings and assess opportunities to connect different heat sources.

Antwerp is also focusing on an open district heating network approach, which allows new heat producers and consumers to be gradually connected to a shared system. This approach creates opportunities to utilise various heat sources in the future, including industrial waste heat, and to develop the city’s district heating system more flexibly.

Cooperation between heat producers, network operators, municipalities and consumers is equally important. Such cooperation is essential for turning waste heat utilisation initiatives into projects that can be implemented in practice.

The examples from Antwerp demonstrate that industrial waste heat can also become a significant resource for district heating systems in Vidzeme. However, each solution must be assessed according to local conditions, available heat sources and economic feasibility.

The insights gained during the study visit will be used in future Green4HEAT project activities to assess opportunities for implementing sustainable heating solutions in Vidzeme.

Photos: Green4HEAT project publicity materials

The visit took place within the framework of the Interreg Europe project “Accelerating the Deployment of Green Heating and Cooling Solutions in EU Territories” (Green4HEAT).

How can we ensure that the work invested and the results achieved during an international project continue to deliver benefits after the project ends? This was one of the key questions H2Value project partners addressed during their meeting in Tartu on 9 October. The meeting included a project partners’ meeting and the first of three planned Exploitation Workshops.

The meeting took place alongside the international event Tartu Hydrogen Days 2026, which celebrated its 10th edition this year. The anniversary event focused on the theme “From Science to Market”, exploring how hydrogen technologies can move beyond research and experimental solutions towards practical applications and economically viable technologies.

The event brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and industry experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities of deploying hydrogen technologies. Particular attention was given to cooperation between hydrogen producers, technology developers and end users. Visitors also had the opportunity to see practical hydrogen mobility solutions, including cars, a bus, a heavy-duty truck and a drone.

The H2Value project aims to support the development of a green hydrogen value chain in the transport sector in Latvia and Estonia by strengthening cross-border cooperation and creating the conditions for wider adoption of hydrogen technologies. The significance of projects like H2Value extends beyond what is achieved during their implementation. Equally important is how the knowledge, experience and solutions developed can be used in the future.

This was the focus of the first Exploitation Workshop, facilitated by Viesturs Sosārs from Cogentia Consulting. The workshop centred on identifying the project’s Key Exploitable Results (KERs).

KERs are project results with the potential to be used beyond the lifetime of the project itself. They may include not only practical solutions but also knowledge gained, approaches developed or outcomes of cooperation that could benefit other stakeholders in the sector.

During the workshop, partners worked in teams to identify and refine H2Value’s potentially most valuable results. Discussions addressed several interconnected questions: What is the practical value of each result? Who could potentially use or benefit from it? Under what conditions could it be applied, and what barriers might hinder its future use?

The workshop identified, discussed, and further refined five potential Key Exploitable Result areas. These covered a range of topics, from data and procedural frameworks to new mobility service models and opportunities for technology deployment.

The Estonian Association of Hydrogen Technologies (H2EST) focused on a data framework to support informed decisions on using hydrogen-powered vehicles in public transport. Meanwhile, SCT explored opportunities for deploying hydrogen-powered drones in port areas.

Vidzeme Planning Region worked on developing a framework of hydrogen-related procedures for the Vidzeme region. The Latvian Hydrogen Association (H2LV) focused on a hydrogen-based Mobility as a Service model, while the Baltic Innovation Agency (BIA) explored ways to strengthen hydrogen-related expertise and knowledge for use in future projects.

These five areas were identified for further development and refinement. They demonstrate that the potential value of H2Value’s results extends beyond individual technology demonstrations to include planning, knowledge transfer, service development and new cooperation models.

This approach encourages partners to look at project achievements from a broader perspective – not simply as a collection of completed activities, but as opportunities that could be taken forward by businesses, public sector organisations and other stakeholders involved in developing the hydrogen sector.

To ensure project results remain valuable in the long term, it is important to assess early who might need them, how they could be adopted or developed further, and what conditions would be necessary for their future use.

This is particularly relevant to H2Value, as developing green hydrogen mobility involves several interconnected elements – from hydrogen availability and infrastructure to vehicle operation and cooperation between different organisations. The long-term value of the project’s results therefore depends largely on how they can contribute to the broader development of the hydrogen sector.

The workshop in Tartu marked the first step in this assessment process. Three workshops are planned in total, during which partners will continue exploring opportunities to use project results in practice and extend their potential impact beyond the end of H2Value.

An H2Value project partners’ meeting was also held in Tartu, providing an opportunity to review implementation progress and discuss upcoming tasks.

The H2Value project will conclude in December 2026. Throughout its implementation, partners have already invested considerable effort in promoting green hydrogen use in the transport sector and strengthening cooperation between Latvia and Estonia. An intensive yet exciting final phase still lies ahead, with a strong focus on successfully completing the work underway and achieving the planned results.

The meeting in Tartu provided an opportunity not only to coordinate the remaining activities but also to consider next steps together – how to ensure that the value created through H2Value is preserved and can continue to be used after the project ends.

Photos: Vidzeme Planning Region / Latvian Hydrogen Association / ELME MESSER GAAS

The project “Supporting the Regional Development of the Green Hydrogen Energy Value Chain for Transport in Estonia and Latvia” (H2Value) is implemented with support from the European Regional Development Fund under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument. Grant Agreement No. 101083881.

How can heating in Vidzeme become more efficient, reliable and sustainable? This question brought together heat producers, municipal specialists, energy managers and industry experts at the Limbaži Municipality Main Library on 30 September. Organised by the Vidzeme Planning Region, the meeting gave participants a chance to share practical experience and explore how to combine existing energy resources more effectively with new technologies.

Ainārs Grīviņš, a representative of SIA “Limbažu siltums”, presented the company’s plans to develop a hybrid heating system. A design-and-build tender has been launched to upgrade the main boiler house, with plans to combine heat pumps, an electric boiler, solar energy and a battery energy storage system. Wood-chip boilers would continue to play an important role, particularly in winter. Combining different technologies would allow the company to select the most suitable heat production method more flexibly, depending on demand and energy prices.

The district heating company in Aizkraukle is also planning to introduce heat pumps with a capacity of up to approximately 100 kW in rural villages to reduce heat production and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, the experience of SIA “Vidzemes slimnīca” (Vidzeme Hospital) highlighted that investing in new technologies alone is not enough. Skilled professionals are needed to operate and maintain these systems. Equipment lifespan, operating costs and the possibilities for adapting existing buildings must also be considered. Cooling is also becoming an increasingly important issue.

A broader perspective on the development of heating systems was provided by Dr. sc. ing. Laila Zemīte, Vice-Rector for Science at Rīgas Ziemeļvalstu Augstskola, who emphasised the importance of viewing buildings, heat sources and distribution networks as parts of an integrated system.

Heat pumps, wood-chip boilers, solar energy, thermal energy storage and waste heat can complement one another, increasing the flexibility and reliability of heating systems. It is also essential to plan buildings, heat sources and distribution networks as an integrated system.

In September, Green4HEAT project partners took part in a study visit to Antwerp, Belgium. Laura Dzelzkalēja, an expert from the Vidzeme Planning Region, shared insights gained during the visit. She highlighted Latvia’s advantage of having established district heating networks, accumulated energy consumption data and experience in using this information. This allows Latvia to focus on modernising existing infrastructure, while Antwerp is still addressing challenges related to network construction and planning the required heating capacity. The international exchange also explored opportunities to recover waste heat from industrial facilities and integrate different heat sources into a single system.

During the practical session in Limbaži, participants discussed the measures included in the updated Vidzeme Planning Region Development Programme and how they will be implemented over the coming years. Particular attention was given to developing energy communities, accessing green financing, utilising waste heat and strengthening the skills of energy sector professionals.

The discussion particularly emphasised the need to inform and engage residents in establishing energy communities. A proposal was made for the Vidzeme Planning Region and other energy sector stakeholders to organise information events on the opportunities offered by energy communities, in cooperation with municipalities and local residents’ councils.

Participants also noted that improving heating efficiency requires action from both heat producers and building owners. Producers should reduce production costs and heat losses in distribution networks, while building owners should improve energy efficiency and ensure heating systems are properly adjusted.

At the end of the meeting, participants visited the SIA “Limbažu siltums” boiler house, where they learned about the company’s operations and heating infrastructure.

The event was organised as part of the Interreg Europe project “Accelerating the Uptake of Green Heating and Cooling Solutions in EU Territories” (Green4HEAT) and marked the project’s fifth regional stakeholder working group meeting. Through these meetings, the Vidzeme Planning Region continues to promote knowledge exchange and cooperation to identify heating solutions suited to Vidzeme’s needs.

On 31 August in Lübeck, Germany, Inese Suija-Markova, Chair of the Vidzeme Planning Region Development Council, delivered a speech at the 35th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), representing the Baltic Sea States Sub-regional Co-operation (BSSSC). In her speech, she highlighted three key principles for cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region: the ability to find common solutions, trust between different levels of governance, and meaningful youth participation in decision-making.

The BSPC is a cooperation forum where representatives of national and regional parliaments from across the Baltic Sea Region discuss issues of common interest and formulate joint positions and recommendations. BSSSC, in turn, represents regional interests in this political dialogue, helping to ensure that local needs and practical experience are taken into account in policy-making. The two organisations have worked together for more than 30 years.

The messages highlighted in Inese Suija-Markova’s speech are also reflected in the BSSSC resolution “Stronger Regions for a Stronger Europe”, endorsed in Tallinn in May this year. The resolution emphasises the involvement of local and regional authorities in policy-making and implementation, as well as meaningful youth participation in shaping their communities and public policy.

The 35th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Lübeck continues until 1 September and will conclude with the adoption of a joint resolution setting out key political priorities and recommendations for future cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.

Vidzeme Planning Region is the first region from the Baltic States to be entrusted with the BSSSC presidency in the organisation’s history. During its presidency, VPR advances the priorities set for 2026–2027, coordinates the work of BSSSC and represents BSSSC positions in dialogue with national and European Union institutions.

Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) has brought a Latvian good practice into practical testing in Romania through the Interreg Europe project SPOTLOG. The CommitClimate Simulator, identified by VPR as a good practice with potential for transfer to other European regions, has been tested by the Constanta partners to support sustainable urban mobility planning and CO₂ emissions modelling.

During the pilot action, the simulator was applied to passenger and freight transport scenarios relevant to the Constanta Metropolitan Area. The scenarios included route optimisation and operational efficiency, transition to low- and zero-carbon fuels, modal shift towards public transport, fleet modernisation and an increased share of renewable energy. The tool allows different measures to be compared and their potential impact on CO₂ emissions to be modelled against target years such as 2030, 2045 and 2050.

The CommitClimate Simulator was originally developed through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project CommitClimate, coordinated by Riga Technical University with partners from Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Sweden. SPOTLOG has provided an opportunity to transfer this experience beyond the Baltic Sea Region, adapt the tool to the needs of the Constanta Metropolitan Area and test it in a different local context.

Following the pilot, the Constanta partners have expressed interest in continuing cooperation with the Latvian partners after the SPOTLOG project and promoting the CommitClimate Simulator within Romania’s Smart Cities ecosystem as an example of good practice.