Six new measures added to Latvia's eastern border development plan
The Latvian government has approved an update to the action plan for the eastern border region, adding six new measures focusing on security, economy, education, and cultural resilience.
At an emergency meeting on June 27, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the updated action plan for the economic growth and security reinforcement of Latvia's eastern border region for 2025–2027. The plan has been supplemented with six new measures, developed at the initiative of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM), based on proposals from line ministries and local governments.
In the security domain, the plan includes creating a mechanism to compensate for damages caused by drones, other weapons, or hybrid attacks, and strengthening cooperation between the Latgale Civil Defense Commission and the Ministry of Climate and Energy through regular crisis drills.
For economic development, the plan aims to enhance the capacity of the Latgale Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by reviewing possibilities to expand supported industries. Additionally, €2.03 million in extra funding has been allocated to municipalities for business infrastructure in the Latgale planning region, raising the total to at least €67.32 million. Municipalities will also benefit from higher EU co-financing rates – up to 90% – to attract investment.
In the human resources sector, new measures focus on strengthening students' physical safety and mental well-being during emergencies. For cultural resilience, the plan includes developing a risk assessment and crisis preparedness plan for Daugavpils Fortress, as well as media literacy training for librarians and community leaders.
The total funding for the plan exceeds €640 million, including €26 million managed by VARAM for natural capital and environmental infrastructure improvements.
