The Latvian Nature Fund, in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Agency, the Rural Advisory and Education Centre and other partners in the LIFE-IP LatViaNature project, invites managers of natural grasslands* to take part in the small grants competition “Implementation of Innovative Ideas for Grassland Products”. The aim of the competition is to promote the management of natural meadows and their integration into business activities. Applications must be submitted by 16 December.
Both legal entities and individuals who are owners, legal possessors or holders of natural meadows may take part in the competition. Applicants must submit ideas for innovative products or services that are linked to Latvia’s natural meadows and which have business potential and public demand.
Competition entrants may create a completely new meadow-based product or service, or make significant improvements to a product or service already on the market. The funding allocated for the implementation of a single project idea ranges from EUR 1,000 to EUR 5,000, with the support code 100%. If approved, the project idea must be implemented within 6 months of the contract being signed.
Inga Muižniece, project manager for the LatViaNature project at the Latvian Nature Fund: “Natural grasslands are one of the most endangered habitats in Latvia; they now cover just 0.9% of Latvia’s territory. Their conservation and restoration depend directly on human economic activity, which can be both aimed at preserving natural values and economically beneficial. The Latvian Nature Fund, as part of the LatViaNature project, has already established the “Natural Meadow Product” brand, to bring together and support natural meadow managers who produce products or offer services with added value in terms of nature conservation. Through this competition, we invite natural meadow managers to recognise their meadows as a diverse resource, to look beyond traditional approaches and to let their imaginations run wild in creating innovative products.”
Ieva Saleniece, Nature Conservation Agency, project manager for the LatViaNature project: “The competition will enable us to assess biodiversity from an economic perspective as well, and to receive financial support for the implementation of innovative ideas. At the same time, it promotes awareness amongst businesses and the public about natural meadow products and their importance in the conservation and restoration of natural meadows, as well as for our health. In this way, LatViaNature is seeking new models of cooperation with landowners and entrepreneurs, as it is only by working together – the state, private landowners and the public – that we can preserve Latvia’s natural environment.”
The competition is being organised as part of the LIFE-IP LatViaNature project and has a total budget of EUR 50,000.
*natural meadows = natural grasslands / EU-protected grassland habitats / biologically valuable grasslands
Rules: Call for proposals for small grants: “Implementation of innovative ideas for meadow products”
Appendices:
Annex 1: Project application form
Annex 2: Description of the project idea
Annex 3: Declaration of no conflict of interest
Annex 5: Project application evaluation criteria
Annex 6: Report on the use of the grant and the results achieved
If you have any questions, please email us at: [email protected]
The owner of the "Natural Meadow Product" label is Latvian Nature Fund.
The brand was created as part of the LIFE19IPE/LV/000010 LIFE-IP LatViaNature project, with the aim of promoting business initiatives for the sustainable management of natural grasslands.
The project "Optimisation of the Management and Stewardship of Natura 2000 Protected Areas" (LIFE19IPE/LV/000010 LIFE-IP LatViaNature) is being implemented with financial support from the European Union’s LIFE programme and the State Regional Development Agency.
The information reflects solely the views of the implementers of the LIFE IP LatViaNature project; the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided here.
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