Category: LIFE

One of the key outcomes of the LIFE LATESTadapt project is the development of integrated guidelines for the planning and management of nature-based solutions, building on the experience gained during the project implementation in Latvia and Estonia. The guidelines will be developed in Latvian, Estonian and English and will be available in both electronic and printed formats.

The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia is the leading partner of Work Package 7, which aims to ensure the sustainability, replicability and long-term practical use of the project’s results. The development of the integrated guidelines is being carried out within the framework of this work package. As a result of a public procurement procedure, ALPS ainavu darbnīca Ltd. was selected as the developer of the guidelines and a contract for the commencement of work was signed in January 2026. Several meetings have already taken place with both the developers and the work package partners. The guidelines must be developed by the end of this year.

The guidelines will serve as a practical support tool for municipal specialists, spatial planners, architects, project managers, representatives of public administration and other stakeholders involved in urban development and the implementation of climate change adaptation measures.

The guidelines will compile the results of the project’s work packages, including data, conclusions, training materials and experiences from municipalities where demonstration sites are being implemented. They will cover the entire life cycle of nature-based solutions – from problem identification and public engagement to implementation, maintenance, monitoring and promotion of the solutions.

The guidelines will provide a clear roadmap for municipalities, describing sequential planning and governance steps, data use, cost–benefit analyses and the impacts of the solutions on flood and heat risk reduction, biodiversity enhancement and urban greening.

The material will include good practice examples from Latvia and Estonia as well as a wide range of nature-based solutions – such as parks, rain gardens, green roofs, tree rows, urban meadows, wetlands, green corridors and other solutions that are already being tested at the project’s demonstration sites.

In addition, the guidelines will develop criteria for the selection and evaluation of nature-based solutions, including their inclusion in participatory budgeting projects and European Union funding programmes, while ensuring compliance with the “Do No Significant Harm” principle.

The guidelines will be disseminated with the support of the project partners through municipalities, public authorities, seminars and other events, and will also be freely available online.

On November 25, an online seminar titled “Climate-Resilient and Nature-Based Stormwater Solutions” (in Estonian) took place in Estonia. The seminar invited architects, builders, and specialists interested in technical solutions.

The seminar was based on the results of several international projects, such as Interreg BSR NOAH, Interreg BSR CityBlues, Interreg CB MUSTBE, LIFE IP BuildEST, and LIFE LATESTadapt, to illustrate the risks and opportunities associated with implementing nature-inspired stormwater solutions. It was organized in cooperation with the Estonian project BuildEST.

The first part of the seminar focused on defining opportunities and needs for implementing sustainable stormwater solutions, considering Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These can be defined as measures taken to protect, manage, and enhance the resilience of natural and modified ecosystems. They are often presented as universal, multifunctional, and unquestionable risk-reduction measures capable of addressing risks such as flooding, drought, water quality, biodiversity, public well-being, and more. The discussion also covered reasons why society hesitates to adopt NBS and the uncertainties that need to be considered.

Next, attention was given to specific solutions that could be implemented in the Baltic region, along with a risk analysis highlighting the main obstacles that sometimes prevent NBS from succeeding.

In the final part of the seminar, participants were introduced to integrated stormwater solutions that have already been implemented or are currently being implemented in Estonia. A brief overview was provided of each solution’s objectives and the overall process—how the solutions evolved during planning and design. Finally, the seminar presented a new tool developed under the LIFE IP BuildEST project, which helps select suitable NBS for stormwater management on land plots, taking into account current land use and available space for improvements.

Seminar materials are available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vZOIeFyRuBR5lDLWkKH___OnUuyx603a/view

Listen to the seminar recording here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWchaQrD780

On 10–11 December, a two-day joint event was held within the framework of the LIFE LATESTadapt project, during which the Haapsalu and Viimsi demo sites were visited and a joint meeting of project partners took place.

Haapsalu Demo Site and Old Town Visit (10 December)
On the first day, Haapsalu city’s project manager Gerda Algre introduced the demo site established at Potissepa Street 3. During the visit, an overview was given of the challenges encountered during the construction works and the problems that the implemented solutions aim to mitigate in the area. The site is located in a coastal area where sea level plays a significant role, and during heavy rainfall rising seawater can cause damage to properties, building basements, and roads. Therefore, addressing stormwater management in this area is of particular importance.

In addition, a walking tour through Haapsalu Old Town was organised, during which the NOAH pilot site was introduced and an overview was provided of stormwater-related challenges in Haapsalu’s historic areas, including Metsa Street, the Old Town, and the main street.

Viimsi Demo Site and Joint Meeting (11 December)
On the morning of the second day, the Viimsi demo site at Mereranna Road L4 was visited, where a pocket park with sustainable stormwater management solutions has been established. As part of the project, a stormwater pond (retention pond) and underground stormwater storage tanks were constructed, enabling the use of collected water for cleaning nearby streets and watering plants. In addition, a boardwalk with a terrace for recreational use and extensive landscaping were created.

Following the visit to the demo site, a joint meeting of project partners was held at the Viimsi SPA Hotel, where partners shared information on project progress and challenges, discussed tasks and issues related to the work packages, and introduced documents prepared within the work packages.

The construction works of the Viimsi demo area were captured on video, and a timelapse video has now been completed. All interested parties can view the video on YouTube

👉 There you can learn more about: 

• Events and seminars that have already happened in Latvia and Estonia, and also planned events 

• Opportunity to give your recommendation what events or information you are most interested in upcoming seminars 

• Concluded project demo sites in Estonia 

• Development of integrated guidelines of nature-based solutions in Latvia and Estonia 

• Existing guidelines, manuals and catalogues about sustainable rainwater solutions, nature-based solutions for urban regeneration and resilience 

• A consultation forum where you can ask experts questions about nature-based solutions 

💡Read the second newsletter  here: https://mailchi.mp/4a53adadb409/life-latestadapt-2025-1-newsletter-eng-13428533

📩 Sign up to receive future newsletters in your email here! 

On 13 October 2025, the Estonian National Broadcasting radio programme “Ökoskoop” focused on the topic of flooding and its impacts on our living environment. Among the guests was Tanel Mätlik from Viimsi Municipality, who spoke about the LIFE LATESTadapt project and Viimsi’s efforts to prevent flood risks and adapt to climate change.

The programme also featured Agne Aruväli, Adviser at the Water Department of the Ministry of Climate, and Jana Põldnurk, Head of the Climate Department at the Estonian Environment Agency, who provided a broader national and European perspective on flood risk management.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Vikerraadio’s website:
👉 Ökoskoop – Floods (13 October 2025)

On October 16, two important events dedicated to landscape quality and urban adaptation to climate change will take place at Koka Rīga, Krāsotāju Street 12.

The seminar “Challenges and Solutions for Urban Heat Risk” will be held over two days. On October 16, environmental and urban planning experts will share the latest research, data and practical solutions for mitigating heatwaves in urban areas. On October 17, a guided walk will explore nature-based solutions in central Riga that address heat risk.

In the afternoon of October 16, the closing event of the national selection for the 9th session of the Council of Europe Landscape Award will take place. Eight projects from Latvian municipalities and organizations will be presented, competing for the opportunity to represent Latvia in the international competition. The winner of the national selection will be announced at the end of the event and will continue to the European level.

The events are organized by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia in cooperation with partners from the environmental and landscape sectors.

Places are limited, so registration is required: https://forms.gle/JZLkhtBRKFgZFF98A

The establishment of the Haapsalu demonstration area for the LIFE LATESTadapt project has begun in the city of Haapsalu (on municipal properties at Vee 19 and Potissepa 3)! The aim of the project is to create a smart and environmentally friendly solution that will help the region cope better with sea and rainwater flooding, while enriching the urban space with greenery and opportunities for exercise.

The following will be built:

• Coastal protection embankment
• Regulator
• Retention basin
• Sledding hill
• Community square

The area being created will help to better cope with excess water caused by climate change and allow rainwater collected from the streets to be purified in the retention basin before flowing into the sea. People of all ages will have a new space to move around in a naturally diverse area with opportunities for climate education and outdoor learning.

Construction work is already underway – the soil for the base of the slope protection embankment has been excavated and filling continues. Next, the retention basin, sledding hill, and community square will be formed, and finally, a smart regulator will be installed in the slope protection embankment.

Builder: Nordpont OÜ

Supervision: Eastconsult OÜ

Cost: €482,904

Supporters: European Commission through the LIFE measure (€267,387), Ministry of Climate (€66,847)

Construction completion: December 2025

📍 Find out more about the Haapsalu demonstration area: https://haapsalu.ee/keskkond-ehitus-ja-teed/linnakeskkond-ja-infrastruktuur/projektid/ Follow the progress and discover a greener and smarter Haapsalu soon!

On the morning of July 24, Vecpuišu Park in Valmiera was filled with the laughter of children – pupils from the Valmiera preschool educational institution “Pienenīte” and the Valmiermuiža preschool educational institution “Burtiņš” took part in creative activities to learn more about the importance of water in nature, its use, circulation in nature and purification.

The youngest children studied the path of water and how it is absorbed into the ground. To learn how water is absorbed into different types of surfaces, the children imitated “rain clouds” by pouring water on the lawn and flowers. Afterwards, they drew objects that need water on a daily basis on the pavement with chalk.

In another group, the children divided into teams and took part in a competition to see which team could transfer water from one bucket to another faster using different containers. Each participant could choose which container they thought was most suitable for this task. Some chose a jug, others a cup or a spoon. After the activity, the children concluded how much water could be carried with each container, which was more suitable, and also concluded what influenced the suitability of the container for this task. After the activity, everyone drew something related to the theme of rainwater.

The oldest children conducted an experiment by making a water purification filter. Following the instructions, each group created their own filter using cotton wool, charcoal, sand, and small stones. Once the filters were ready, dirty water was poured into them. The children could watch the water flow through each layer of the filter until it finally flowed into a container, significantly cleaner than before. Afterwards, each child drew a picture of the filter they had made. The drawings were displayed in Vecpuišu Park, next to the environmental exhibition “A Tree – More Than Just a Shadow”.

On the afternoon of July 24, residents were invited to visit the exhibition “Tree – More Than a Shadow” and vote for the solutions they would like to see in the urban environment in Valmiera. The idea of planting trees along the sidewalk near the Valmiera bus station received the most votes. Reducing the width of the paved sidewalk and adding a row of greenery would not only provide shade but also a cooling effect. There is a large ditch in the green area near the Valmiera Olympic Center, and residents particularly appreciated the possibility of creating a wetland there. This would serve as a habitat for various wild species, thus promoting biodiversity, as well as filtering and purifying water. Residents also appreciated the idea of creating a rain garden at the intersection of Rīgas and Kārļa Baumaņa streets. During heavy rainfall, the rain garden fills with water, promoting infiltration and slowing down the flow of rainwater into the sewer system. This would be particularly relevant at the proposed intersection, as it floods during heavy rainfall.

Visitors to the exhibition appreciated the opportunity to see how various places in the city could look if nature-based solutions were implemented there. The proposed solutions would not only help to reduce environmental problems, but also make the urban environment more attractive.

The activities took place within the framework of the European Union’s LIFE program project “Developing and demonstrating portfolio of nature based and smart solutions for improving urban climate resilience in Latvia and Estonia” (LIFE LATESTadapt).

Prepared by:
Elizabete Brūvere
Valmiera Municipality Government
Branding and public relations department
Environmental communication project manager

In the first newsletter learn more about:

• Nature-Based Solutions Cost-Efficiency Tool;

• A consultation forum where you can ask experts questions about nature-based solutions;

• Publications on naturally occurring plants for urban flood resilience, solutions for reducing rain-induced flooding, and the identification and testing of new sensor technologies;

• Organized events, hackathons and workshops with different target audiences;

• Urban greening plans and activities in Latvia and Estonia.

Read the first newsletter in 3 languages here:

• English
• Latvian
• Estonian

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