Latvian Rural Forum has launched a new project “Support for the development of regions of Moldova and Georgia, by promoting the local partnerships and by improving national, regional and local governance capacities of planning and conducting the development actions”. This project will take place in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, the Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia, the Ministry of Agriculture of Ajaria in Georgia and with the Moldova Association Pro Cooperare Regionala (ProCoRe).

Two visits of Latvian experts are programmed to Moldova as well as one visit of Moldavian representatives to Latvia. The aim of the project is to develop and discuss the sustainable development strategies of territory. A particularly important aspect of this cooperation is an establishment and development of the public private partnerships in Moldova, which should be based on cooperation between the private sector, NGO’s and the governmental institutions. The 1^st visit of Latvian experts in Moldova will consist of studying territory and meeting the Local action groups (LAGs) in the aim of being able to discuss and propose the development strategies based on the needs of chosen regions.

A visit of group of Latvian experts to Georgia is also planned to provide a methodological support for improving the business environment for small and medium entrepreneurship. As Ajaria is the first region in Georgia having started the European Rural Development program they need a coordinated and methodical action in different levels, from national to local.

 LRF and its member organizations already have experience of four years in cooperating with the Moldova Association Pro Cooperare Regionala (ProCoRe). Cooperation started in 2014, when the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia invited LRF to join the already existing cooperation between Latvia and the northern region of Moldova. This cooperation then was established and still continues with the aim to provide support for the rural development and business promotion to Moldovan regions. Cooperation also helps to better identify Latvian initiatives that can serve as a model and source of inspiration for other countries. Since the 2014, support for development co-operation is co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the republic of Latvia.

Transnational cooperation activities contribute to the realization of Latvian development cooperation policy objectives by strengthening Latvia’s bilateral donor role, by promoting public understanding and support for development cooperation, as well as by contributing to the work of Latvian international development goals and international commitments. Development cooperation is assistance to poor and less developed countries in promoting their long-term social and economic development, reducing poverty and ensuring peace and security in the world. By becoming a Member State of the European Union in 2004, Latvia has become a donor country from initially being a recipient of aid. Latvia now is fulfilling international commitments to contribute the global development and to support developing countries. Meanwhile it is important that development cooperation is not a one-way process – Latvia is not only the giver but also benefits from the process of cooperation, not only by gaining experience and knowledge, but also by getting a new quality for the future development.

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These activities are realised within the framework of the project „Support for the development of regions of Moldova and Georgia, by promoting the local partnerships and by improving national, regional and local governance capacities for planning and conducting the development actions” (project No. ĀM/GPK-16/2018). Project is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia from the budget 2018 for development cooperation.