1. 2nd EUROPEAN CONGRESS OF CEEC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES Regional Development Agencies in Latvia Vineta Griekere Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Regional Development Department Head of Regional Policy Unit Peldu iela 25 Riga Riga Latvia LV-1494 Phone: 371 7 026 528 Fax: 371 228 159 E-mail: vineta@varam.gov.lv

2. Legal basis for the creation of the Regional Development Agencies 1) Law for Local Self-governments 2) Law on Territorial Development Planning Purpose: to establish common institution for planning

3. The starting points ·Nation-wide five (5) planning regions are accepted and created : Riga, Latgale, Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Zemgale; allowing the created regions to be considered as NUTS 3 level regions ·Regional administrations will be gradually implemented by 2005. It is at this point in time however still unclear and undecided what division of tasks and responsibilities between all levels will be applied

4. The starting points ·Draft of Law on Regional Development is prepared and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. The Law foresees the creation of the Ministry for Regional Development and Planning ·Draft Law on Spatial Planning is prepared and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers

5. The starting points ·The territorial system of institutions of the state administration (regional departments of ministries and other public and semi-public institutions) will be re-organised according to the new structure of planning regions ·Within these planning regions, RDA's will be created "to ensure the implementation of the development planning and to manage investments"

6. The mission of the Regional Development Agencies 1) to initiate and co-ordinate all possible initiatives and actions that can stimulate the socio-economic development of the region 2) to constantly improve the level of development so that the region becomes a driving force in national development

7. Overall objectives for Regional Development Agencies ·Optimal vertical (national - regional) and horizontal (within national level and within regional level) integration between all involved in regional policy, planning and development is guaranteed ·Creation of a strong regional structure that can speak and decide on behalf of the region in matters that concern the region ·Giving a real and fair chance for more bottom-up development planning by creating a strong regional capacity in planning, programming and implementing regional development

8. Responsibilities of National and Regional Authorities ·National level is responsible for the national development plan, in which the strategic options and decisions are taken in relation to sectors and regions ·The regional level (RDA's) is responsible for the preparation of the regional development plan and for the actual implementation of the regional plan within the given national plan's strategic options

9. The Tasks of the Regional Development Agency 1) formulate the development plan and spatial planning of the planning region in cooperation with local governments, ensure its harmonisation with the National Development Plan, the spatial planning at the national level as well as national programmes and sectoral development programmes, ensure the management of its implementation 2) promote the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of regional development support activities of planning region significance 3) perform other functions prescribed by legislative acts within the frame of its competence. Law on Regional Development, Draft

10. Functioning of the Regional Development Agencies Local governments of districts and republican cities Council of Regional Development (CRD) Regional Development Agency (RDA) Ministry for Regional Development Institutions of different Ministries of Latvia and other institutions of public administration Social partners 2.2. 3.3. 1.Co-operates in all issues connected with dev. of region. Ensures exchange of info. 2.Make decisions about reg. dev. which are implemented by RDA. 3.Involve in the issues of reg. dev. Implements the decisions of CRD