Results of the Norwegian Financial Instrument Research programme (2009 - 2014) in Latvia September 22, 2017

Research Activity in Latvia Total funds - 4,4 mil EUR (NO grants 90%, LV state budget financing 10%). 11 research bilateral projects implemented (out of 73 submitted) 19 HE institutions involved University of Oslo in 7 projects University of Tromso Norwegian School for Sport Science Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Envirinmental Research Nordic Institute for studies in Innovation, Research and Education

Research fields and themes Social sciences and humanities Literature Feminism and gender sociality Archeology Transfer of technology in ancient times - the processing of mineral resources Philology Children’s language study Physical training, pediatric Health related participation in education process for children with disability Political science, sociology Rural depopulation and education in rural areas Comparative study on higher education and research system in Norway and Latvia Norway grants are one of very few international funding sources, which supports Social sciences and Humanities. Research in this field is crucial for Latvia. Project “Technology transfer in the processing of mineral recourses in earlier times” is an excellent example to show implementation of both above mentioned outcomes.

Research fields and topics Health, including pharmacy, biomedicine Environmental chemistry Pharmaceutical products residue Structural chemistry, pharmacological sciences Alzheimer’s disease Nutrition Cereals research for human health Oncology Cancer therapy

Measure: Strengthened research capacity in the Beneficiary States Peer reviewed publications 8 Projects completed (Final payment made (out of 11) All project Final report evaluations completed by external experts LV05-0010 - Latvian language in monolingual and bilingual acquisition: tools, theories and applications

Measure: Increased research cooperation between Norway and the Beneficiary States 1.2. Joint publications LV and NOR Preparation takes more time than expected In average 6 joint publications per project 22 joint publications submitted during the last month of the project implementation phase Veiksmīgākie: LV05-0010 - Latvian language in monolingual and bilingual acquisition: tools, theories and applications – 6 LV05-0002 - Innovative approach to hull-less spring cereals and triticale use from human health perspective - 4

Measure: Increased research cooperation between Norway and the Beneficiary States Better performing areas: Social sciences Medicine 1.3. Scientific publications

Measure: strengthened research capacity in the beneficiary States Set in agreements – 38 Total involved – 58 77 % women 33 out of 58 are involved in synergy projects 19 PhD involved in medicine projects (LV05-00001; LV05-0004) PhD Student involvement LV05-0001 = 023 projekts -> OSI Alcheimera projekts LV05-0004 = 045 projekts -> LBMC prostatas vēža projekts

Best practise example Project NFI/R/2014/011 «Innovative approach to hull-less spring cereals and triticale use from human health perspective” The aim of the project was to research non-traditional grain varieties in order to demonstrate their potential in producing new and healthy niche foods. As a result biologically activated flakes production technology has been developed Received a special award – diploma from the President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences nominated as one of the most significant achievements in the Latvian science in 2016 Work on commercialization of developed technology in collaboration with entrepreneurs to bring biologically activated flakes into production/ on market

Synergy with the Scholarship activity Success story Synergy with the Scholarship activity More students and academic staff involved in practical research work New skills, additional knowledge Certificates for the lab work Strengthened link between the research and teaching Access to library Master/ Doctoral Thesis -> base for publications New ideas how to improve research work New collaborations started Latvian researchers and PhD students had a chance to work with modern technical equipment in laboratories of Norway Universities, which resulted in new collaboration in community modelling of Bifidobacterium species. In addition, students have obtained certificates for work with laboratory animals, which will help in career building; Latvian students and academic staff had opportunity to try new methods and technics during their mobility, which were transferred and included in curriculum right away, e.g., knowledge of colour chemistry is widely used in daily teaching process in Latvian Arts Academy

Conversation festival «Lampa», July 2017 Publicity Conversation festival «Lampa», July 2017 The LAMPA conversation festival invites people to engage in conversations that lead to understanding. To diversity and its acceptance. To equality – where every opinion has the right to exist and be heard. To a desire to find out more and to take pleasure in doing so. The LAMPA conversation festival celebrates democratic culture and provides an open, engaging and joyful environment for vigorous and enthralling conversations for everyone who cares about Latvia and the world. The LAMPA idea was hatched and nurtured by the Foundation for an Open Society DOTS, Swedbank and the sustainable change agency SPARK from Denmark. It was inspired by similar democracy festivals in Denmark, Sweden and Estonia . The LAMPA conversation festival home is the Cēsis castle park. Many organizations and activists are involved in its creation, cooking up festival events and offering financial support. Trust, sustainability and diversity – these three principles are at the heart of the LAMPA conversation festival. These are the three pillars on which we seek to build Latvia’s future. Entrance to the festival is free of charge. State chancellery participated last year. Informed society about work in government and citizens could try ti fit in different shoes and positions. Ministry of Justice will present results achieved in 2 projects, regarding execution of criminal penalties and created centre for convicts that are addicted to drugs Information about the festival: https://www.festivalslampa.lv/gb/festival/ Video about the festival: https://youtu.be/Khhv66n6uAU Photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/73458727@N06/sets/72157685750628386

Publicity All projects description and results available on the SEDA webpage «EEA Norway grants» - «Interactive project map»: http://viaa.gov.lv/eng/eea_norway_grants/projects/

Tuesday, 17 October 2017 LV 05 Final conference Focus on communication Presentations of project final CONCLUSIONS Study visits to project promoters institutions Discussions about future cooperation Tuesday, 17 October 2017 Venue: RIGA RISEBA Architecture and Media Centre H2O 6 Focus on communication of the research and its results If you want to participate, please contact: reinis.tralmaks@viaa.gov.lv

Thank you for your attention! Irina Stolarova State Education Development Agency Department of Management and External cooperation Senior Project Manager irina.stolarova@viaa.gov.lv