In the past year and the first quarter of this year, €351.1 million has been invested in strengthening border regions in eastern Latvia, according to an informational report by the Ministry of Smart Governance and Regional Development (MSGRD) on the implementation of the action plan for economic growth and strengthening security in the eastern border regions for 2025-2027, which was reviewed by the government on Tuesday.
The action plan includes 59 measures across three priority areas - strengthening security, economic development, and human resource development. To date, €130.7 million has been invested in security, €150.1 million in economic development, and €70.4 million in human resource development. Five measures have already been fully implemented, including ensuring state participation in the Daugavpils Regional Hospital LLC, strategic communication activities in Latgale, investments in improving the energy efficiency of municipal buildings, and the purchase of electric school buses. The remaining planned measures are being implemented on schedule, the ministry notes.
To enhance security at the eastern border, five disaster management centers have been built in Dagda, Ilūkste, Daugavpils, Līvāni, and Viļāni, improving cooperation among emergency services and their ability to respond to emergencies.
The construction of a fence along the Latvian-Russian border, approximately 280 km long, has been completed, as well as the creation of the necessary infrastructure for securing Latvia's borders with Belarus. The development of defense infrastructure continues, with €15.5 million allocated for this year.
To promote economic development in the eastern regions, 20 public infrastructure development projects for business activities are being implemented with approximately €34.5 million in funding from the European Union. In Daugavpils, the establishment of the Eastern Latvia Smart Technology and Research Center industrial park continues, funded by the Recovery Fund with more than €17 million. In the Latgale Special Economic Zone, 20 investment contracts have been signed, which are expected to create 85 new jobs. Four projects have been approved under the large investment project support program in the regions at the eastern border, with a capital discount of approximately €29.5 million.
Support has also been provided to local entrepreneurs and farmers. Under the business incubator and export support programs, 79 enterprises received support, totaling €954,000. Funding has been allocated for 266 agricultural development projects amounting to €9.6 million, which contributes to increasing the competitiveness of farms, developing small farms, and attracting young farmers. In the region, 851 projects for the installation of solar panels have also been implemented, promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources.
At the same time, projects in infrastructure and housing accessibility continue to be implemented. In Daugavpils, the reconstruction of the Viļāni bridge is underway, with costs amounting to €8.1 million. Additionally, 40.43 km of state regional and local roads have been improved at the eastern border, and projects for updating 227 municipal apartments and constructing 57 new apartments are being implemented to promote housing accessibility. By the end of 2029, funding from the European Regional Development Fund amounting to €10.01 million is planned for these purposes.
In the area of human resource development, a plan for integrating the Rezekne Technology Academy into the Riga Technical University system has been approved, new professional higher education programs have been licensed at the Malnava College, and with the support of the re-emigration coordinator in Latgale, 149 individuals have returned.
Additionally, 30 new contact points for applications for unified services have been created, healthcare accessibility has been strengthened by ensuring state participation in the Daugavpils Regional Hospital, and the development of educational and cultural infrastructure continues.
