WHO WE ARE

OUR EXPERIENCE

WHAT WE DO IN ESMERALDA

WE ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN

Development, management and implementation ofthe local, regional and EU scale projects on natureconservation and biodiversity, energy and climatechange, pollution and management of hazardoussubstances, waste and water management

Consultations and experts’ statements onenvironmental, nature management and planningissues

Policy analysis and recommendations

Development of reports on state of environmental andstrategic impact assessment

Nature management and maritime spatial planning

Participation in the advisory boards and workinggroups on environmental and planning issues

Organizing events (meetings, seminars, conferences,workshops) and stakeholders dialogue among nationalenvironmental administrations, industries, experts,scientific institution and municipalities

Moderation of stakeholder forums and expert groupmeetings

Publishing of books, leaflets, brochures and otherdissemination materials on various environmentmanagement topics

LIFE Viva Grass, LIFE GRASSSERVICE, LIFE FITFORREACH, ARCEE, BONUS MIRACLE, Latvian MSP

Anda Ruskule

Baltic Environmental Forumwww.bef.lv

Kristīna Veidemane

Dana

Prižavoite

Dace Strigune

The Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) was set up as technical assistance project in 1995 to strengthen cooperation of the Baltic States inthe field of environmental policy and later to assist in the EU accession process. Since 2003 BEF is established as a non-governmental,non-profit organization active in the Baltic Sea region, having a network of organizations in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany and Russia(called as BEF Group). BEF Latvia is based in Riga and has a permanent staff of 14 people. The role of BEF involves development andleading of projects from local to interregional level, providing expertise as well as organizing dialogue between science, policy makers andsociety. The BEF offers regional knowledge and well-established stakeholders’ network to deal with various topical issues, includingecosystem-based maritime spatial planning; innovative approaches to marine biodiversity assessment & monitoring; economically viablegrassland management; green infrastructure and natural water retention measures, etc. Ecosystem service (ES) mapping and assessmentis among the hottest issues addressed by BEF within the resent projects – we work on capacity building of national experts as well astesting of ES mapping and assessment at various scales.

BEF co-ordinates the project activities in the Baltic countries (Latvia,Lithuania and Estonia) by dissemination of information, organizingknowledge exchange as well as forming of stakeholders networks. BEFis responsible for compiling information about on-going activities inrelation to mapping and assessment of ES in the Baltic countries. In13-16 October 2015 BEF is hosting the first ESMERALDA stakeholderworkshop in Riga. Furthermore BEF shall be involved in developmentof mapping and assessment methods for marine ES.

www.esmeralda-project.eu

BEF board member, project manager and one of the leading nature experts

PhD in Geography, landscape ecology, abandonment of agricultural landscape

Maritime spatial planning and ES mapping

Viable grassland management and ES mapping

In ESMERALDA in charge for the project coordinator at BEF, involved in stakeholder engagement and methods for ES mapping

Chairperson of the BEF board, projectmanager and one of leading environmentalexperts with excellent knowledge on EUfreshwater and marine policy

PhD in Geography, coastal landscape

Ecosystem service valuation

In ESMERALDA involved in stakeholderengagement and development of methodsfor ES economic and social assessment

Junior environmental expert

M.Sc. in nature science

Landscape ecology, agriculture landscape

Soil sciences

Grassland and forest ecosystems

In ESMERALDA deals with compilation of country information and technical support

Projects administrator and communication expert

M.Sc. in philology

Public relations, dissemination and visibility

Workshop organization and management

In ESMERALDA in charge for the stakeholder workshop management and dissemination