Benchmark Study 1

IPP BENCHMARK REPORT
2) building close and sustainable cooperation with local and regional government associations in
Baltic and Nordic countries through participation in joint projects, as well as coordinating job
within the framework of international organizations and initiatives;
3) active and coordinated work with an aim to encourage and facilitate twinning relations among
self-governments in Latvia and foreign countries.
o Main bottlenecks:
Main obstacles identified for internationalization.
As the main restrictions for broader internationalization the following factors could be mentioned:
1) limited human resources;
2) limited financial resources (co-financing for project; expenses of participation at international
activities not covered by project funding);
3) restricted time/busy time schedules for self-government representatives and LALRG staff.
Vidzeme Planning Region (one of the 5 planning regions in Latvia)
o Target group
Inhabitants of the Vidzeme region, municipalities, institutions, organisations and enterprises. VPR
provides the following services to the target groups:
Ensuring planning – organization and implementation of spatial development planning on the regional
level, involving all interested parties, issuing statements for local municipalities
Representation of interests – representation of regional development interests on the national
and international levels.
Support to development and partnership – organization of co-operation events, consulting, organization
of project calls, attracting other regions and foreign partners, implementation of projects
for municipalities, NGOs, entrepreneurs and other groups of the society, development of regional
projects and support for partnership building and development.
Providing information – compiling statistical information, carrying out research, compiling and
publishing information on topical issues.
Co-ordination work of municipalities – ensuring co-operation of municipalities through organizing
events and ensuring the work of the Development Council;
Implementation of specific functions – culture, public transport.
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