Background information

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) has developed a programme for improving the skills of local and regional specialists in the field of climate-neutral economy and mitigation of socio-economic consequences of climate change. According to the VARAM, municipalities and planning regions have different and insufficient financial capacities to invest in climate-resilient solutions and most of the funds are used for expenses related to the performance of municipal functions, therefore it is essential to develop and improve the knowledge and skills of municipal and regional specialists in climate-resilient economy. The measure is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation of 17 October 2023 No 594 'Implementing Rules for Measure 6.1.1.8' 'Improving the skills of municipal and regional specialists in climate-neutral economy and mitigation of socio-economic consequences of climate change' of the Specific Support Objective 6.1.1 'Mitigation of economic, social and environmental impacts of the transition to climate neutrality in the most affected regions' of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027.

Content of measure

The programme aims to improve the skills of local and regional authorities, including training in green public procurement, the application of green solutions in infrastructure development planning, and the use of information technology and artificial intelligence tools in planning climate-neutral solutions. The planned budget is €1,432,238 through the Just Transition Fund, co-financed by the state budget with €252,749. The maximum amount of funding from the JTF shall not exceed 85% of the total eligible project funding. The project will be implemented by the VARAM, with Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale planning regions as cooperation partners. The project is expected to run from Q2 2024 to 31 December 2029.

Use of measure

4 regional training programmes are planned, improving the knowledge of at least 190 municipal staff.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Other groups of workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Local / regional government	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement

Views and reactions

No specific views to report

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 23 October 2023: CFLA: 6.1.1.8. Pašvaldību un reģionu speciālistu prasmju paaugstināšana klimatneitrālas ekonomikas un sociālekonomisko seku saistībā ar klimata pārmaiņām mazināšanas jautājumos (www.cfla.gov.lv)
• 16 November 2023: VARAM plāno izglītot pašvaldības par klimatneitralitātes jautājumiem (lvportals.lv)