As part of the Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism (Riverways II) project, experts from the University of Tartu Pärnu College, together with the project partners, have developed the “Guidelines for Accessible and Inclusive Water Tourism”, providing practical recommendations for creating more accessible water tourism services.

They include practical recommendations on working with different target groups, safety, customer experience, communication, and accessibility solutions for the built environment.

The publication will also be valuable for municipalities, tourism information centres, infrastructure planners, and anyone interested in creating a more accessible and inclusive environment.

The guidelines are available in Latvian, English, and Estonian, and we encourage everyone to use them both in their daily work and when developing new services.

The project “Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism” (Riverways II) is implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme.

On 18 June, partners of the Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism (Riverways II) project from Latvia and Estonia gathered in Limbaži to review the project’s progress, plan upcoming activities, and discuss best practices for improving accessibility in water tourism infrastructure.

Following the partner meeting, participants visited Limbaži Lielezers Beach, where a floating pontoon pier with an adapted platform for easier access to the boat has been constructed as part of the Riverways II project. The beach has also been equipped with a spacious and functional changing cabin, an accessible walkway leading into the water, and other improvements that enhance accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors, families with young children, and other groups of visitors.

During the visit, participants were guided by Jānis Remess, representative of the Limbaži Municipal Agency “Lauta” and Head of the Limbaži Municipality Public Waters Management Unit “Alda”. Earlier that same morning, before the partner meeting, he had welcomed accessibility experts from the Latvian disability organisation “Apeirons”, who assessed the infrastructure developed through the project and other initiatives. The experts highly praised the results.

At the same time, the experts provided several practical recommendations for minor improvements that would make the beach even more convenient for all visitors. It can already be confidently stated that Limbaži Lielezers Beach is one of the best examples of accessible recreational infrastructure in the Vidzeme region.

On 19 June, the Riverways II project partners visited Līgatne, where they explored the town’s cultural and historical heritage and discussed accessibility aspects in one of Vidzeme’s most popular tourist destinations.

During the project implementation, accessibility improvements will also be introduced at Lake Burtnieks in Valmiera Municipality, Lake Zāģezers in Valka Municipality, and Lake Lubāns in Madona Municipality, making water tourism infrastructure more accessible to a wider range of users.

The project “Improving Accessibility of Water Tourism” (Riverways II) is implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme.

On 28 May, the Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) organised the climate resilience working group seminar “Community Engagement for Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Vidzeme Region – From Understanding to Action” in Cēsis. The event brought together representatives of municipalities, non-governmental organisations, educational and research institutions, as well as other active stakeholders to jointly explore how to strengthen the capacity of communities in Vidzeme to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.

Using the CoSMoS methodology, participants analysed the region’s strengths, available resources, and key risks. By identifying natural assets, infrastructure, local knowledge, cooperation networks, and cultural heritage, participants explored solutions that could enhance community resilience and support sustainable development. Through discussions and practical exercises, they identified major trends and challenges affecting Vidzeme’s ability to adapt to climate change.

The insights gained during the workshop will serve as a foundation for future activities within the GRACE project, helping to develop solutions that are rooted in the real needs and experiences of the Vidzeme region. Participants’ expertise and practical knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of how to strengthen cooperation, make informed decisions, and use regional resources more effectively in the future.

One of the key conclusions highlighted by participants was that the most important resources for strengthening climate resilience in Vidzeme are people, knowledge, financial capacity, and strong communities. These were described as the four cornerstones upon which the region’s development and adaptive capacity should be built. At the same time, participants emphasised the importance of natural capital—including forests, water resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity—as a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Discussions acknowledged that while Vidzeme continues to benefit from abundant natural resources, various risks are also increasing, including intensive land use, urban development pressures, and biodiversity loss. Participants agreed that climate resilience can be strengthened through community cooperation, capacity-building, adequate financial resources, and the sustainable management of natural assets.

The seminar also featured a lecture by Professor Andra Blumberga of Riga Technical University, who introduced participants to systems thinking and system dynamics approaches. Her presentation, “Thinking Long-Term: A Systems Approach to Climate Change,” generated particular interest and engagement among attendees. Rather than approaching climate change solely from an academic perspective, the lecture explored the issue through the lens of everyday human behaviour and choices.

Through an interactive exercise, participants were encouraged to reflect on climate change in the context of daily actions, recognising that the way people travel, eat, consume services, purchase goods, and live their everyday lives all contribute to the generation of CO₂ emissions.

Complex processes were explained in a clear and visual manner, including the use of bubble visualisations to illustrate emission volumes and their impacts. Discussions also addressed the concept of the “tragedy of the commons,” which describes situations where shared resources are used primarily for individual benefit without sufficient consideration for their long-term preservation. In the context of climate change, this concept highlights how actions that may be beneficial for individuals are not always beneficial for society as a whole. Participants also reflected on patterns of resource use and the need for greater public awareness, engagement, and responsibility regarding climate-related issues.

During the final session of the seminar, participants focused on mapping cooperation networks and governance processes within the Vidzeme region. Together, they developed a stakeholder map for climate governance, identifying municipalities, government institutions, communities, businesses, non-governmental organisations, and many other actors who play important roles in reducing climate-related risks and strengthening regional resilience.

The discussions examined existing forms of cooperation, information-sharing mechanisms, and opportunities for strengthening collaboration in the future. At the same time, participants concluded that despite the broad range of stakeholders involved and the diversity of existing cooperation formats, interactions are often largely formal in nature. They emphasised the need for more meaningful and effective collaboration that promotes knowledge exchange, joint learning, and the development of new initiatives, thereby strengthening communities’ ability to drive change and address shared challenges.

The seminar demonstrated that climate change and community development are closely interconnected issues, although this perspective has not yet become a common part of public discussion. Participants therefore stressed the importance of continuing to organise similar events that foster shared understanding and strengthen the links between these topics.

The seminar was organised within the framework of the GRACE project – “Growing Climate Resilience in Remote rural Areas through Community Empowerment”, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme.

About the project

The project “Growing Climate Resilience in Remote rural Areas through Community Empowerment (GRACE)” is implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme (2021–2027).

Its aim is to help remote rural regions in Europe adapt to climate change and strengthen their resilience by promoting community participation, local capacity building, and the implementation of innovative solutions. The project seeks to develop and demonstrate multidimensional climate adaptation measures that enhance social and economic vitality, promote nature-based solutions, and improve local governance.

On 23 April, the fifth regional stakeholder meeting of the Interreg Europe project “PIloting COllaborative ways to BEtter Living LOcally ” (PICOBELLO) took place in Smiltene. The event focused on the theme “The New European Bauhaus in Vidzeme – Recommendations for Developing Relevant Policies.”

The meeting was opened by PICOBELLO project expert Krišjānis Pundurs, who provided an overview of the project’s progress and achievements to date. He also reflected on the previous regional stakeholder meeting in Gulbene and the lessons learned during study visits to Amsterdam and Katowice. Particular emphasis was placed on the placemaking approach, which puts people, their needs, and inclusive, accessible environments at the centre of development, while also highlighting the importance of connections—not only physical, but social as well.

Further insights from the partner meeting in Katowice, Poland, were presented by Laima Šmite-Ūdre, Landscape Architect at the Municipality of Gulbene. She highlighted several ways in which the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) are being implemented in practice across Europe and discussed the lessons that municipalities in the Vidzeme Planning Region can draw from these examples.

In her presentation, she emphasised sustainable development approaches that make use of academic potential by linking student innovations with real societal needs. She also shared examples from Spain and Poland, where former industrial areas have been revitalised and adapted for new purposes. Community engagement and placemaking were identified as essential elements in creating high-quality living environments, illustrated by examples such as the “food forest” initiative in Greece and the experience of Smiltene, where residents actively contribute to shaping urban spaces. Additional attention was given to the transformation of industrial heritage from a perceived burden into a valuable resource through its conversion into cultural and public spaces, as well as to various initiatives supporting education, health, and well-being. L. Šmite-Ūdre stressed that creating a safe, collaborative, and attractive environment for local residents naturally enhances the appeal and resilience of the wider region.

To demonstrate how places with strong historical and cultural significance can be successfully adapted to contemporary urban life, participants visited the Jāņukalns Open-Air Stage in Smiltene, a notable example of community participation. The restoration of the venue was made possible through the joint efforts of residents, local businesses, and the municipality, who contributed through volunteer work, practical involvement, and financial donations. As a result, the site has evolved into a modern cultural and social gathering space.

Inese Priedīte, Director of the Smiltene Cultural Centre, emphasised that despite the challenges associated with maintaining the venue, it remains an important part of Smiltene’s identity and cultural heritage, carrying significant intangible value for the local community.

The main objective of the meeting was to develop recommendations for policy documents aligned with the principles of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion, in line with the goals of the PICOBELLO project. However, participants acknowledged that strategic concepts are often best understood through practical, existing, and implementable solutions. Consequently, the group work focused on translating the New European Bauhaus concept and its values into practical actions, identifying concrete measures and existing challenges.

Participants noted that many initiatives already being implemented in the Vidzeme Planning Region—including inclusive tourism, nature education, the preservation of local culture, and efforts to strengthen community resilience—already reflect the principles of the New European Bauhaus, regardless of whether they are formally labelled as such. Since the three core NEB principles are open to interpretation, participants agreed that greater emphasis should be placed on practical solutions rather than terminology, ensuring that implementation does not become an unnecessary administrative burden.

The discussions identified two priority areas for future action, particularly highlighted by municipal specialists working in the fields of culture and urban design:

• Local cultural events (town and village festivals, concerts, markets, cemetery festivals, and similar activities) that provide added value by preserving traditions, local identity, and a sense of belonging. Over the long term, such initiatives contribute to stronger and more resilient communities.
• Resident-led initiatives and the establishment of local advisory councils, which create opportunities for improved cooperation and dialogue between municipalities and residents. These mechanisms facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration, and a better understanding of local needs and opportunities.

Participants also concluded that sustainability must be embraced as a value at the national level if initiatives and ideas are to become long-term directions rather than one-off projects. A broader shift in public attitudes and ways of thinking was considered equally important, with education playing a key role in building awareness and understanding.

The event brought together representatives from the municipalities of Valmiera, Gulbene, and Smiltene, as well as specialists from the Vidzeme Planning Region. Based on the insights gained during the meeting, the Vidzeme Planning Region will continue its work on proposals for improving regional development policies in line with the objectives of the PICOBELLO project.

About the project

The project “PIloting COllaborative ways to BEtter Living LOcally” (PICOBELLO) is being implemented within the Interreg Europe 2021–2027 interregional cooperation programme. Its objective is to improve regional development policy instruments in the partner regions through a co-creative knowledge exchange process, exploring how European regions integrate the three core values of the New European Bauhaus into their development strategies: sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.

More information about the project: https://ej.uz/86jm

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Vidzeme Planning Region and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

How should nature-based recreation be financed sustainably? Vidzeme Planning Region explored this pressing European question at a CIBioGo stakeholder meeting, attracting 3,000+ Latvian viewers to an online discussion on fees, access, and shared responsibility.

Across Europe, protected natural areas face a growing tension: increasing demand for outdoor recreation is depleting natural values, while public budgets for maintaining nature infrastructure continue to shrink. Vidzeme Planning Region in Latvia tackled this challenge head-on through a regional stakeholder meeting under the “Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance” (CIBioGo) project, bringing together representatives from forest management, nature conservation, and sports organisations to explore sustainable financing solutions. Three key stakeholders – SIA “Rīgas meži” (Riga Forests Ltd), the Nature Conservation Agency, and the Latvian Orienteering Federation – shared their perspectives on maintaining high-quality recreation infrastructure, especially in protected areas.

The online discussion “From daily walks to active outdoor recreation – only for a fee in the future?”, held on 24 February, attracted more than 3,000 viewers from Latvia both during the live broadcast and in the recording – reflecting the broad public interest this topic generates across the country.

Principles of investment in nature

Discussion moderator Andris Klepers, Professor and Director of the Scientific Institute at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, framed the debate around globally relevant investment principles. He highlighted the growing recognition of nature as capital – comparable to cultural heritage – that requires deliberate, long-term investment. In tourism theory and practice, this is linked to a clear argument: those who benefit from natural values have a long-term interest in sustaining them. He also emphasised the impact principle: the greater the impact on nature, the greater the responsibility to invest back. Crucially, free access would remain for low-impact activities such as walking and using nearby areas.

Balancing conservation and public access

Director General of the Nature Conservation Agency Laura Anteina presented a concrete policy proposal that could offer lessons for other regions. The proposed fee would apply exclusively to large public events in specially protected nature areas – affecting only 1% of Latvia’s territory and events with at least 100 participants. Exemptions would cover children, students, socially vulnerable groups, and large families. The section of the Nature Conservation Agency’s price list relating to public events could come into force on 1 January 2027. The proposal responds directly to a fragmented nature infrastructure and the limits of state budget funding – a reality shared by many European regions.

Finding balance – what the public thinks

One of the meeting’s most valuable features was its interactive format. A rapid survey conducted among 49 broadcast viewers provided real-time insight into public attitudes toward financing mechanisms. The results showed the strongest support (3.8 out of 5 points) for the “those who profit, invest” principle – meaning commercial enterprises with high impact should bear greater financial responsibility. Also highly rated was the mechanism of donations and voluntary work as an alternative to fees. Other mechanisms discussed included management agreements with interested parties and greater commercial organiser responsibility.