Small grant competition "Implementation of innovative grassland product ideas"

Latvian Fund for Nature in cooperation with Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia, Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre and other partners of LIFE-IP LatViaNature project invites natural grassland* managers to participate in small grant competition "Implementation of innovative grassland product ideas". The aim of the competition is to promote the management of natural grasslands and their integration into entrepreneurship.

The competition is open to both legal and physical persons who are owners, legal holders or holders of natural grasslands. Applicants should submit ideas for innovative products or services originating from Latvia's natural grasslands, with business potential and public demand.

Entrants may create a completely new product or service from the grasslands or make a significant improvement to a product or service already on the market. The funding per project idea is between EUR 1 000 and EUR 5 000, with 100% support. If approved, the project idea must be implemented within 6 months of the signing of the contract.

Inga Muižniece, LatViaNature Project Manager at the Latvian Fund for Nature: "Natural grasslands are one of the most threatened habitats in Latvia, with only 0.9% of Latvia's territory remaining. Their conservation and restoration is directly dependent on human economic activity, which can be both aimed at preserving natural values and economically beneficial. The Latvian Fund for Nature has already created a brand "Grassland Product" in the LatViaNature project to unite and support natural grassland managers who produce products or offer services with added conservation value. With this competition, we invite natural grassland managers to value their grasslands as a diverse resource, to look beyond the traditional and to let their ideas take flight to create innovative products."

Ieva Saleniece, Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia, LatViaNature Project Manager: "The competition will allow to appreciate natural diversity also from the economic point of view, to receive financial support in the implementation of innovative ideas. At the same time, it raises awareness among entrepreneurs and the public about natural meadow products and their importance for the conservation and restoration of natural grasslands, as well as for our health. In this way, LatViaNature is looking for new models of cooperation with landowners and entrepreneurs, because only together - the state, private landowners and the public - can Latvia's nature be preserved."

The competition is part of the LIFE-IP LatViaNature project and has a total funding of EUR 50 000.

*natural grasslands = EU protected grassland habitats / biologically valuable grasslands