Towards North-Kurzeme Towards North-Kurzeme Coastal Region Coastal Region

Development: Conflict Development: Conflict Resolution and Resolution and

Partnership BuildingPartnership Building

Prof. Dr. Raimonds ErnProf. Dr. Raimonds ErnššteinsteinsPresentation prepared by Diāna Šulga, M.Paed.Presentation prepared by Diāna Šulga, M.Paed.

Institute for Environmental Science and Management, Institute for Environmental Science and Management, University of Latvia,University of Latvia,Raina blvd. 19, Riga, LV-1586, Latvia;Raina blvd. 19, Riga, LV-1586, Latvia;Tel. +371 7034575;Tel. +371 7034575;E-mail: E-mail: raimonds.ernsteins@lu.lvraimonds.ernsteins@lu.lv

Innovation for the regional and local Innovation for the regional and local development in North-Kurzeme is partly development in North-Kurzeme is partly based on ideas well known theoretically, based on ideas well known theoretically, but not yet wide spread in Latvia and but not yet wide spread in Latvia and never used in the practical life of this never used in the practical life of this coastal region, including also coastal region, including also learning to learning to work together.work together.

North-Kurzeme Coastal Region is quite well North-Kurzeme Coastal Region is quite well known in Latvia because of the early co-known in Latvia because of the early co-operation among several local operation among several local municipalities started municipalities started in in 1997, 1997, however,however,

publicpublic participationparticipation and the and the collaborative work wider in the field among collaborative work wider in the field among

different other institutions and different other institutions and municipalitiesmunicipalities in the region in the region still should be still should be strengthenedstrengthened..

The first success for regional development was the project The first success for regional development was the project agreement itself. Project proposal EC LIFE regional agreement itself. Project proposal EC LIFE regional sustainable development project “Livonian Green Coastal sustainable development project “Livonian Green Coastal Region – 21” was prepared by the following Region – 21” was prepared by the following project project partnerspartners::

Dundaga Municipality (as a contractor); Dundaga Municipality (as a contractor); Kolka Municipality; Kolka Municipality; Roja Municipality; Roja Municipality; Institute for Environmental Science and Management Institute for Environmental Science and Management

(IESAM), University of Latvia;(IESAM), University of Latvia; Slītere National Park (SNP); Slītere National Park (SNP); Livonian Union (NGO of minority Livonian population);Livonian Union (NGO of minority Livonian population); Culture-historical protected territory Livonian Coast Culture-historical protected territory Livonian Coast

as theas the main stakeholders in the region (except also forestry, main stakeholders in the region (except also forestry, fisheries, etc.) covering about 800 km² in NW part of fisheries, etc.) covering about 800 km² in NW part of Latvia and situated both along the coast of the Baltic Sea Latvia and situated both along the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga.and the Gulf of Riga.

The main objective of the EC LIFE regional The main objective of the EC LIFE regional sustainable development project “Livonian sustainable development project “Livonian Green Coastal Region – 21” Green Coastal Region – 21” wawas: s:

to start to do things properly before it is to start to do things properly before it is too late or too expensive too late or too expensive – –

to focus the attention to the coastal region to focus the attention to the coastal region of NW part of Latvia in order to minimise of NW part of Latvia in order to minimise the impact of different activities to the the impact of different activities to the environment of the coastal zone and to environment of the coastal zone and to integrate the sustainability inintegrate the sustainability intoto each sector each sector of the region.of the region.

The project anticipated The project anticipated

to carry out the Agenda 21 planning process with to carry out the Agenda 21 planning process with broad involvement of the society and other broad involvement of the society and other stakeholders – Round table Forum as well as stakeholders – Round table Forum as well as

founding founding aa new institution - Regional new institution - Regional Sustainable Sustainable Development AgencyDevelopment Agency or Regional or Regional Agenda 21Agenda 21 Centre - jointly managed by all the relevant Centre - jointly managed by all the relevant organisations of the regionorganisations of the region,,

to fulfil the gap between the old management to fulfil the gap between the old management system of the municipalities and new demands system of the municipalities and new demands and problems and problems emergingemerging in the free market in the free market economy system.economy system.

The mainThe main,, very well measurable possibility very well measurable possibility to evaluate the process of the to evaluate the process of the sustainable development on the wholesustainable development on the whole,, is is considered to be the special criterions considered to be the special criterions and indicators worked out during the and indicators worked out during the Agenda 21 planning process. Agenda 21 planning process.

A special A special hypothesishypothesis of the of the successful successful realizationrealization of of LIFE projectLIFE project, , as a kind of as a kind of Action ProgramAction Program for Sustainable for Sustainable development of Livonian green coastal development of Livonian green coastal regionregion, was dveloped, was dveloped..

Public participation and all stakeholders co-operation Public participation and all stakeholders co-operation for environmental and sustainable coastal for environmental and sustainable coastal development are to be seen not only via separate development are to be seen not only via separate innovative demonstration projects or activities but innovative demonstration projects or activities but shall be planned and participatory implemented as shall be planned and participatory implemented as coherent whole Demonstration Network Packagecoherent whole Demonstration Network Package::

1- Conflict Resolution and Partnership Practice1- Conflict Resolution and Partnership Practice2- Round Table Forum and Public Participation2- Round Table Forum and Public Participation3- Council for Sustainable Development of Coastal Region – 3- Council for Sustainable Development of Coastal Region –

collaborative decision planningcollaborative decision planning4- Rural Communication and Information Network: web, 4- Rural Communication and Information Network: web,

booklets, data banks and services booklets, data banks and services 5- Coastal Region 5- Coastal Region Agenda 21Agenda 21 process and guidelines process and guidelines6- Regional Sustainable Development Implementation Demo 6- Regional Sustainable Development Implementation Demo

projectsprojects7- Coastal Region 7- Coastal Region Agenda 21Agenda 21 Centre ( also Demo project) Centre ( also Demo project)

Long term objective of the ProjectLong term objective of the Project:: To create the sustainable development system of the NW coastal To create the sustainable development system of the NW coastal

zone of Latvia and to develop successful co-operation with similar zone of Latvia and to develop successful co-operation with similar institutions around the Baltic Seainstitutions around the Baltic Sea

Short term objectiveShort term objective of the Projectof the Project :: To give an investment and contribution to facilitate the forming of the To give an investment and contribution to facilitate the forming of the

base for the planning, implementation and controlling system of base for the planning, implementation and controlling system of Agenda 21Agenda 21 of the NW coastal zone of Latvia of the NW coastal zone of Latvia

More outcomes:More outcomes: communication sub-projects for dissemination of information,communication sub-projects for dissemination of information, The results spread out through the involvement of the The results spread out through the involvement of the

representatives from other municipalities and bodies of the region, representatives from other municipalities and bodies of the region, through Association of Local Municipalities of North Kurzeme,through Association of Local Municipalities of North Kurzeme,

Developing knowledge and exchange of the experience among Developing knowledge and exchange of the experience among responsible and other organizations of the coastal region and also responsible and other organizations of the coastal region and also around the Baltic Sea on the sustainability and solutions for the around the Baltic Sea on the sustainability and solutions for the coastal zone development for the 21st century.coastal zone development for the 21st century.

The Regional Agenda 21 centre was planned as a legal organisation The Regional Agenda 21 centre was planned as a legal organisation able to fulfil the gap able to fulfil the gap between the old structures of the local governmentsbetween the old structures of the local governments , , other local or regional institutions, other local or regional institutions, and the new demands and approaches of the 21st Century. The structure and the and the new demands and approaches of the 21st Century. The structure and the detailed functions of this Centre were discussed and decided during the project and main detailed functions of this Centre were discussed and decided during the project and main tasks of this organisation are as follows: tasks of this organisation are as follows:

InformationInformation for local inhabitants and guests on Sustainable Coastal Development and for local inhabitants and guests on Sustainable Coastal Development and Agenda 21;Agenda 21;

Involvement of theInvolvement of the local local societysociety in the decision-making and developing of the in the decision-making and developing of the sustainability; sustainability;

Regional Regional Education Education Centre on Sustainable Coastal Development and Agenda 21;Centre on Sustainable Coastal Development and Agenda 21; Preparation of the Local Agenda 21 (Preparation of the Local Agenda 21 (planningplanning process), leading to the implementation process), leading to the implementation

and monitoring;and monitoring; Organising local, regional, national and international Organising local, regional, national and international seminars, workshopsseminars, workshops, meetings , meetings

aimed at the sustainability of the coastal territories; aimed at the sustainability of the coastal territories; Environmental Environmental consultationconsultation for the local inhabitants, entrepreneurs, local governments for the local inhabitants, entrepreneurs, local governments

etc.;etc.; Leading, co-ordinating and participating in different Leading, co-ordinating and participating in different projectsprojects concerning sustainable concerning sustainable

coastal development;coastal development; Fulfilment of Fulfilment of Bridge Bridge functions by the Centre to functions by the Centre to ensure better co-operation among local ensure better co-operation among local

organisations;organisations; Tight Tight co-operationco-operation of the Centre with other regional, national and foreign institutions in of the Centre with other regional, national and foreign institutions in

the field;the field; Partial arrangement of the office as the Eco-tourism Information Centre;Partial arrangement of the office as the Eco-tourism Information Centre; Periodical Periodical training of professionalstraining of professionals working in practical environmental conservation working in practical environmental conservation

(the work methods of professionals also had to be changed from the command and (the work methods of professionals also had to be changed from the command and punishment to the explaining and educating of the society) organised in the Centre until punishment to the explaining and educating of the society) organised in the Centre until the establishment of the Slitere Training Centre at the National Park the establishment of the Slitere Training Centre at the National Park

Wide involvement of local schoolsWide involvement of local schools in the working process of the Agenda 21 Centre. in the working process of the Agenda 21 Centre.

““Livonian Green Coastal Region - 21”Livonian Green Coastal Region - 21”

Contractor Dundaga Municipality

Supervision Council Representatives from all partners and contractor

5 1

4

2

3

WG

5

WG

1

WG

4

WG

2

WG

3

Regional AGENDA 21 Centre

WG – working group

““Livonian Green Coastal Region - 21”Livonian Green Coastal Region - 21” The organigram represents both parts of project The organigram represents both parts of project

management: management:

Supervision Council (SC) as the collaborative shared Supervision Council (SC) as the collaborative shared decision making body consisting of decision making body consisting of beneficiary/contractor and delegated senior officials beneficiary/contractor and delegated senior officials from all 6 project partners andfrom all 6 project partners and

Regional Agenda 21 Centre (RA-21 centre) as project Regional Agenda 21 Centre (RA-21 centre) as project implementation task force (executive body) consisting implementation task force (executive body) consisting of project coordinator (manager) and particular number of project coordinator (manager) and particular number (proposed by partners and appointed by SC) of (proposed by partners and appointed by SC) of appropriately qualified specialists (program appropriately qualified specialists (program coordinators).coordinators).

SSome of the project experience ome of the project experience

dissemination practical resultsdissemination practical results Municipalities revised their Development and Municipalities revised their Development and

Spatial Plans: Spatial Plans:

-1- Kolka municipality started Territorial -1- Kolka municipality started Territorial planning process, where recommendations planning process, where recommendations were and representatives of LIFE project/RA-were and representatives of LIFE project/RA-21 centre took part;21 centre took part;

-2- Roja municipality was developing Detailed -2- Roja municipality was developing Detailed planning for particular coastal territories where planning for particular coastal territories where sustainability issues were encountered;sustainability issues were encountered;

-3- Dundaga municipality in cooperation with -3- Dundaga municipality in cooperation with Kolka and Ance municipalities prepared Kolka and Ance municipalities prepared assessment and drafted unification proposalassessment and drafted unification proposal

SSome of the project experience ome of the project experience dissemination practical resultsdissemination practical results

IESAM (University of Latvia) integrated results IESAM (University of Latvia) integrated results of the project in its education practice:of the project in its education practice:

-1- into training process itself, including -1- into training process itself, including involvement of Master students as post-involvement of Master students as post-experience professionals for stakeholder experience professionals for stakeholder seminars, surveys etc. in the North Kurzeme seminars, surveys etc. in the North Kurzeme pilot region and LIFE project itself;pilot region and LIFE project itself;

-2- has prepared several courses, resource -2- has prepared several courses, resource materials and manuals etc.materials and manuals etc.

SSome of the project experience ome of the project experience dissemination practical resultsdissemination practical results

There was a great number of dissemination There was a great number of dissemination activities not being pre-planned – activities not being pre-planned – meetings in the Ministry of Environment, meetings in the Ministry of Environment, Self-government Union, different Self-government Union, different municipalities, seminars, international municipalities, seminars, international undertakings, incl. UNESCO etc. undertakings, incl. UNESCO etc.

Project resultsProject results

Difficulties to explain LA-21 planning Difficulties to explain LA-21 planning process and system in easy process and system in easy understandable way for the local understandable way for the local inhabitants can influence the result. A lot inhabitants can influence the result. A lot of explanations are needed to seek for of explanations are needed to seek for more and more understandable ways of more and more understandable ways of approaching local inhabitants and raising approaching local inhabitants and raising the motivation for the sustainable the motivation for the sustainable activities.activities.

Agenda 21 process is one of the main project Agenda 21 process is one of the main project outcomes as well as carrying out the above outcomes as well as carrying out the above mentioned five Regional Development action mentioned five Regional Development action programs - foreseeing coordinated carrying out programs - foreseeing coordinated carrying out a number of activities by different organizations a number of activities by different organizations and many of them for the first time in the and many of them for the first time in the region, including preparation and realization of region, including preparation and realization of sustainable development demonstration sustainable development demonstration projects in co-operation with project partners.projects in co-operation with project partners.

Project resultsProject results

Demonstration projectsDemonstration projects included both re- included both re-building of infrastructure and establishing building of infrastructure and establishing of new sustainable content of new sustainable content demonstration. All four – environment, demonstration. All four – environment, economics, social and culture - economics, social and culture - Sustainable development capitals were Sustainable development capitals were tackled, each one together and also tackled, each one together and also separate for each demo site. separate for each demo site.

Project resultsProject results

In order to facilitate and ensure successful collaboration between the In order to facilitate and ensure successful collaboration between the politicians, administrations of the local authorities and other politicians, administrations of the local authorities and other important stakeholders with general public and different societal important stakeholders with general public and different societal interest groups in the region, as well as to integrate the principals of interest groups in the region, as well as to integrate the principals of sustainability in the decision making and implementation procedures sustainability in the decision making and implementation procedures the following approaches and methods were developed during the the following approaches and methods were developed during the second partsecond part of the project: of the project:

council for sustainable development in the region for partnership co-council for sustainable development in the region for partnership co-operation and "top-down" implementation,operation and "top-down" implementation,

round table forum for grassroots initiatives and participatory round table forum for grassroots initiatives and participatory development and ''bottom up " implementation, development and ''bottom up " implementation,

regional sustainable development process itself - visioning and regional sustainable development process itself - visioning and indicators elaboration for process development and inter-sector indicators elaboration for process development and inter-sector progress measurement and also practical activities,progress measurement and also practical activities,

Project resultsProject results

ConclusionConclusion

““Livonian Green Coastal Region – 21” LIFE Livonian Green Coastal Region – 21” LIFE project initiated regional sustainable project initiated regional sustainable development initial process is not only development initial process is not only ongoing successfully, but also works for ongoing successfully, but also works for the future development facilitation and the future development facilitation and motivation - attracts many other initiatives, motivation - attracts many other initiatives, creates new ideas, new project creates new ideas, new project developments etc. Regional/Local Agenda developments etc. Regional/Local Agenda 21 approach provides necessary impulse as 21 approach provides necessary impulse as well as valuable model for both framework well as valuable model for both framework and process of regional sustainable and process of regional sustainable development.development.