“I would to share a good practice story of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments and Latvian local. I hope you find it useful and interesting. Be healthy and protect yourself and others.”

Good practice story of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments and Latvian local governments

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has changed the operating principles of organizations both in Latvia and worldwide, but at the same time we can see the crisis as an opportunity to develop by acting wisely and sustainably. Since March 12, when the government declared a state of emergency in Latvia, local governments have been working very efficiently and purposefully side by side with all partners to limit the spread of COVID-19. Overcoming the crisis is not possible without strong local government and the involvement of the non-governmental sector, which are important partners of the government in tackling the challenges posed by the crisis. This is a time when cooperation at all levels is important.

Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) actively participates in the work of the national Crisis Management Council from the very start of the emergency situation, ensuring coordinated action of central government and local government institutions to resolve challenges and mitigate consequences of the crisis. LALRG collects information about the needs and problems of local governments and informs the public. The LALRG advisers participate in the working groups of the Parliament and line ministries. Close cooperation between the Association and ministries during the COVID-19 crisis is very crucial.

Video conferences - a very successful tool for direct and rapid transfer of important information to local governments

LALRG uses video conferences with the participation of top officials from the institutions in-charge as one of the tools for effective outreach to local governments and society.  Video conferences have been attended by several ministers, senior officials and experts of ministries and responsible institutions, as well as by the Prime Minister. They are still held every week. LALRG hosts video conferences at its premises and they are moderated by the Chairman of the Association. Video conferences are streamed live, local governments can send in questions before and during the video conference on the matters which are unclear in this very complicated situation and get immediate answers from the authorities. The recordings of the conferences are available on our website as well.

Useful information and communication - Latvian local governments regularly receive informative materials prepared by LALRG, ministries and the State Chancellery. Up-to-date information is posted on our website www.lps.lv and on social networks, every Tuesday local governments receive the electronic weekly newsletter “Infologs”. Furthermore, two special publications of the newsletter have been prepared summarizing the experience of Latvian local governments during the emergency situation.
Survey of all local governments - LALRG has conducted a survey and summarized the experience and practice of all Latvian local governments during the emergency situation, implementing support measures for people and entrepreneurs and providing various remote cultural, educational, artistic, sports and entertainment opportunities while respecting national restrictions. From the very start of the emergency situation, local governments have worked without any delay and purposefully.
International cooperation

The lessons learned during this time are special experience that we can share with our international partners. Therefore, right now LALRG is even more active in cooperation with local government associations in Europe, Eastern Partnership countries and Central Asia. This international cooperation gives a positive charge enriching each cooperation partner. All municipal associations are currently working remotely and devoting most of their resources to overcoming the challenges of the crisis. All associations have intensified communication with their members during the crisis. There is intensive exchange of information and experience with the associations in the Nordic countries, especially regarding social sector and education, as well as exchange of ideas on the most efficient public outreach.

LALRG is a member of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and we take active part in its COVID-19 working group, where municipalities share experience and help each other to resolve various issues.

LALRG participates also in the work of the World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), which holds video meetings on good practice initiatives taken by municipalities around the world during the pandemic.

International cooperation takes place within the framework of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) as well. The exchange of national experiences demonstrates the need to return to a normal pace of life as soon as possible in order to preserve democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. The current crisis highlights the need for closer cooperation between all stakeholders to ensure that the decisions taken and their implementation are truly effective and as close as possible to the people.

Responding to the request from our long-term cooperation partners in the Kyrgyz Republic – the Development policy institute and the Association of Local Authorities of the Kyrgyzstan – we organized a video conference sharing the experience of LALRG and Latvian local governments in overcoming the crisis caused by the coronavirus. For several years LALRG has had successful cooperation with Kyrgyz partners both in the framework of development cooperation projects and in the implementation of other joint activities.

Despite the fact that most national borders are closed, international cooperation between local governments and their associations continues in various formats. We continue to develop new projects and implement the approved projects during the crisis as well.

Good practice examples from local governments in Latvia

There are different support measures for local inhabitants during emergency in local governments: special allowances are allocated to single seniors, persons in self-isolation, furloughed employees and others who are not able to meet their basic needs due to emergency. In addition, local governments help to provide transport and premises for those who are obliged to be in self-isolation or quarantine; they also provide needy, poor and large families with food – either hot meals, food packages or funding for catering for children. Moreover, in many local governments free catering is provided for all children, regardless of their financial situation.

Support for entrepreneurship and local initiatives in local governments: postponed deadlines for real estate tax payments, exemptions or discounts for entrepreneurs renting their business premises from local governments, identification and marketing of local producers, as well as other support instruments.

Local governments are the closest to local residents, and a local government is often the first contact point approached by people during a crisis situation. Local governments are better aware of situation in their territories and can react to needs of local inhabitants without delay.

It should be noted that everyday life in Latvia continues also during this emergency situation, it has just moved more into virtual environment and closer to nature. Since most of the people have to stay at home, local governments try to provide various activities in order to contribute to their inhabitants’ emotional welfare. Local governments also provide psychological support and advice how to survive this special period of time in a more meaningful and better way. This is the reason why local governments organize different activities, exhibitions and competitions, provide online concerts, make suggestions for interesting and useful spending of time, as well as promote healthy lifestyle and physical welfare.

Gints Kaminskis, Chairman of the LALRG underlines: “Overcoming the COVID-19 crisis is not possible without strong local governments. Local governments are significant partners for the central government working on challenges caused by the crisis. This is the time when cooperation on different levels is very important and the actions of local governments may be decisive.”