National Development Plan of Latvia for 2021-2027

The National Development Plan of Latvia for 2021-2027 is a multi-sectoral plan of Latvia. It is Latvia’s highest national-level medium-term planning document. It has been developed in accordance with the Latvian Sustainable Development Strategy until 2030 (Latvia2030) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so that the quality of life improves for each individual, and society as a whole over the next seven years.
Among others, it provides for access to personalized social services and provision of social innovation services to priority groups, in particular, to persons with disabilities, palliative care patients and elderly persons, thereby promoting the prospect of independent living and maintaining or improving the quality of life; reducing poverty, material deprivation and income inequality, especially for those most at risk of poverty (pensioners, persons with disabilities), creating pre-conditions for meeting the material need for tomorrow’s pensioners; reducing GHG emissions through climate change mitigation and technological breakthroughs. Increasing carbon sequestration towards climate-neutral economic development through targeted energy efficiency measures and decarbonisation of the transport system; mitigation of climate change effects through adaptation measures, and improved material and infrastructure provision (for prevention and management of disaster risks, including flood and coastal erosion), as well as in the management of economic sectors and sustainable stormwater management, taking into account the latest scientific data and forecasts for achieving and strengthening climate resilience; improving the air quality to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia and PM2.5 pollution in densely populated areas and in the entire country through targeted high energy efficiency, low-carbon production and improved transport systems; increasing the ratio of high and good quality surface and groundwaters, as well as improving the quality of inland waters and marine environment, and protecting the groundwater resources by reducing anthropogenic pressure, including harmful effects of wastewater on natural resources and environment by establishing necessary infrastructure and processing of sewage sludge; efficient use of local resources, including bio-resources (application of eco-design principles and introduction of circular economy into different sectors of the economy), in particular by achieving higher standards and innovation in food flows and animal health in line with the "one health" principle, as well as by introducing waste-free production technologies and innovation into the economy; exploration and management planning of subterranean depths for sustainable use of local resources; reduction of generated and landfilled waste and an increase in the share of recycled and recovered waste with special emphasis on - sewage sludge treatment; an increase in the share and capacity of biodegradable waste recycling and recovery; remediation and revitalization measures for historically polluted sites to improve environmental quality (soil, ground, groundwater and surface water); improving the biodiversity protection system by developing scientifically based biodiversity preservation objectives and indicators and by implementing measures to ensure a favorable preservation status of habitats and species of EU and national importance in Latvia, taking into account the public economic and social interests and regional development needs; improving the preservation of protected habitats and species in accordance with scientifically based species and habitat protection and nature protection plans; integrating biodiversity preservation measures into economic sectors, in particular into agriculture, forestry and fishery, through the sustainable management of natural resources and use of green infrastructure, while protecting and enhancing biodiversity and landscape diversity though promotion of sustainable tourism; promoting change in public behavior patterns and habits, raising awareness on the environment and sustainable management of natural resources; creation of public infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurship based on the regional specialisation defined in spatial development planning documents and current private investor needs to motivate businesses in the regions to develop new products and services, increase productivity, diversify, use innovation and competence transfer opportunities and attract a qualified workforce; establishment of a coordinated support system for attracting investment and supporting business in the regions, and establishment of a regional development fund (regional project programmes) for targeted investments; improving the capacity, knowledge and administrative processes of planning regions, municipalities and other stakeholders involved in spatial development in order to increase cooperation between local governments, offer mobility solutions, promote an investment-friendly environment and ensure high quality, cost-effective municipal services; ensuring local mobility to encourage employment and access to services by improving infrastructure, supporting innovative micro-mobility solutions; improving public services in line with population dynamics by developing alternative service models and infrastructure, energy efficiency of municipal buildings, as well as the quality of public outdoor space; deployment of indirect and back-office functions of national level public authorities outside the Riga region; renovating and increasing the number of social housing units and creating an instrument to provide housing support for low-income persons relocating for participation in the labour market; improving housing availability for disadvantaged persons by developing a mechanism to provide financial support and remove barriers to rental housing; and improving housing quality by modernizing and improving the energy efficiency and affordability of housing, and improving property management to reduce long-term building maintenance risks.