Latvia’s recovery and resilience – Supported projects: Nation-wide investment scheme

Disclaimer: This page exclusively serves information purposes and is not an exhaustive database of projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Notably, the map provides a snapshot of projects based on the current status of their implementation. It does not reflect the distribution of the projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility across the different areas within Latvia. The map will be regularly updated to include additional projects and information. The showcase of the projects in this page is without prejudice to any future assessment by the Commission in the context of the verification of the satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The measure references mentioned below are those contained in the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision approving the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan and allow for easy identification of the measures.

For more information on the projects, please contact the Commission Representation in Latvia:

Kaspars KREICS, Press officer, %20kaspars [dot] kreicsec [dot] europa [dot] eu (k)Kaspars [dot] kreicsec [dot] europa [dot] eu (aspars[dot]kreics[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu,) +371 2866 5579

Irēna ŠVILPE, European Semester Officer, irena [dot] svilpeec [dot] europa [dot] eu (irena[dot]svilpe[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu), +371 2570 8494

 

Improving the energy efficiency of multi-apartment buildings and transition to renewable energy technologies

(reference 1.2.1.1.i. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The general objective of this measure, supported by EUR 57.3 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. As energy consumed in the buildings sector accounts for up to 40 % of the final energy consumption, the measure is expected to reduce the impact on the environment and contribute to climate change mitigation. Another aim is to reduce energy bills for inhabitants and increase the level of security of energy supply. Other specific objectives include reducing the level of energy poverty and supporting employment.

The measure consists of a support programme for energy renovation in multi-apartment buildings. It is provided as a financial instrument (loan) with a capital discount of up to 49% of the amount of the loan. After the completion of the project, it is expected that buildings will achieve at least 30% energy savings.

The Ministry of Economics has adopted the support programme, which is operated by the financial institution Altum. The application process has been launched and the program is expected to be operational until August 2026.

More information about the project could be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Economics here and the recording of the online webinar published here

Promotional video for the energy efficiency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p44IUacAhTA

Increasing energy efficiency in business, in the form of a combined financial instrument

(reference 1.2.1.2.i. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The general objective of this measure, supported by EUR 120.6 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is to improve the energy efficiency of Latvian businesses. Investments in the energy efficiency of businesses aim to promote a rationalized use of energy resources, reduce negative impacts on the environment and climate, as well as improve productivity, competitiveness and export capacity of enterprises.

On the one hand, the support will be given out as a financial instrument targeted to improve energy efficiency, to introduce renewable energy technologies, to carry out energy audits, as well as to invest in sustainable transport and to introduce new energy-efficient technologies in production. On the other hand, the support in a form of grants will be distributed specifically to develop new products and technologies related to the low carbon economy, climate resilience and adaptation.

The programme has been launched and the first round of applications has been closed. The first projects are on the way and the programme will be operational until August 2026.

More information about the project could be found on the webpage of the financial institution Altum here and the recording of the online webinar published here

The information on the programme is available here.

 

Support for the digitization of processes in commercial activities

(reference 2.2.1.2.i. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The objectives of the investment are to promote increased productivity through targeted investment of resources, and to create higher added value in the business processes. The focus of the investment will be digitisation of the processes and functions in enterprises like acquisition of IT solutions, both software and hardware, acquisition of sensors, purchase of IT equipment, IT infrastructure, and implementing digital integration processes.

The government has approved the support programme and the companies in Latvia will have an opportunity to conduct the projects until June 2026. The support will be available to at least 200 companies.

More information about the project could be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Economics here.

The press release on the launch of the event could be viewed here.

The launch event for the programme could be viewed here: https://fb.watch/iRU7jWnY_j/

 

Research, development and consolidation grants

(reference 5.2.1.1. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The main objective of the investment, supported by EUR 82.5 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is to consolidate the Latvian higher education system as the financial grants serve as the incentive for the reform. As the result, under the project, Latvia will conclude four consolidation plans and award 315 academic career grants for higher education and research activities.

Latvia is in the process of reforming its research governance system and it should be completed by mid-2026.

More information available at the following links (in Latvian):

• Ministry of Education and Science press release on the reform of the Law on Higher Education institutions
• Ministry of Education and Science press release following the adoption of the amended Law on Higher Education institutions

 

Instrument to support the development of innovation clusters

(reference 5.1.1.2. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The objective of the investment is to increase the volume of private R&D investments through targeted public investments that shall promote the development of new products and technologies, as well as knowledge transfer within the economy. The investment shall create an instrument for the development of innovation clusters that would develop R&D capacity in enterprises, promote cooperation between the government, the industry and the academia in the innovation process and increase the share of innovative enterprises in the economy, thereby promoting the volume of private R&D investments and the return on public investment.

The Ministry of Economics has awarded the contracts for investment projects and the projects shall be implemented by August 2026.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Economics webpage here.

More information can be found on the Ministry of Economics webpage here (in Latvian)

 

Ensuring the acquisition of advanced digital skills

(reference 2.3.1.1. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The objectives of the investment are to significantly increase the number of specialists with high-level digital skills (DESI levels 3-5) by 2026. The investment consists of developing approximately 20 advanced digital skills training modules in quantum technologies, HPC and language technologies, to be included in formal and adult education programmes. The investment will be used by Latvian universities with specific projects in University of Latvia and Riga Technical University.

Latvia has launched a first programmes that focus on acquiring skills on quant technologies.  The implementation of other programmes in the higher education institutions will continue and should become operational by 31 August 2026.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Education and Science here.

 

Development of digital skills of enterprises

(reference 2.3.1.2. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The objective of the investment is to increase the level of digital skills in companies. The investment consists of provision of basic, medium and high-level digital skills training by the European Digital Innovation Hubs in cooperation with sectoral associations, educational institutions and involving the existing Regional Business Centers.

The investment shall be implemented by 30 June 2024 for the provision of training of digital skills mentors and by 30 June 2026 for the provision of digital skills trainings for employees in 3,000 enterprises.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Economics here.  

 

Digital skills for citizens, including young people

(reference 2.3.2.1. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The objective of the investment, supported by EUR 12.6 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is to provide support measures for the acquisition of digital skills for citizens from all groups of society, especially youth.

The investment aims to provide basic digital skills for at least 50,000 people, and complete digital skills programmes for youth in all 42 municipalities. The investment shall be implemented by 31 December 2024 for e-learning course development. Trainings, technological innovation activities and municipality programmes shall be implemented by 31 August 2026.

More information can be found on the Ministry of Education and Science webpage here

 

Closing the digital divide for socially vulnerable learners and educational institutions

(reference 2.3.2.3. in the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Plan)

The objectives of the investment are to provide access to learning content and allow participation in remote learning processes for the pupils from socially vulnerable groups. The investment consists of purchasing information and communication technology equipment for general and professional education institutions, with targeted support for pupils from socially vulnerable groups and the creation of a “computer library” in educational institutions, as well as the availability of data transmission for high-quality, meaningful and planned use of digital technologies in the learning process.

Latvia has adopted the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, laying down criteria and conditions for the organisation and conduct of remote learning to ensure that remote learning is organised and implemented in all Latvian educational institutions and levels of education. In 2023 Latvia will deliver ICT equipment for the vulnerable learners. The investment will be implemented in 2023-2026.

More information can be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Education and Science here.

More information can be found on the Ministry of Education and Science webpage here (in Latvian)