ENGDevelopment and investment strategy of Jelgava Music Secondary School for 2021-2027
Project Customer: Jelgava Music Secondary School
Project implemented: 2022
Within the framework of the project, a development and investment strategy was developed in cooperation with the educational institution. It specified and described the overarching goals of the educational institution, development vision and strategic direction, description of current and future situation (includes description of labor demand, description of secondary school vocational education programs, description of methodological work, description of career development support, availability of human resources, own income and characteristics of green investments and activities), the investments required, the communication strategy and the action plan.
Development and Investment Strategy of the Professional Education Competence Center “National Secondary School of the Arts” for 2021-2027
Project Customer: Professional Education Competence Center “National Secondary School of the Arts”
Project implemented: 2022
Within the framework of the project, a development and investment strategy was developed with the educational institution. Within it, only the overarching goals of the educational institution, the development vision and strategic direction, the description of the current and future situation, the necessary investments, the communication strategy and the action plan are specified and described.
Research on Vidzeme Rural Partnership “Brasla” community-led local development strategy 2014 - 2020 preparation of recommendations for the development of the strategy for 2023 - 2027
Project Customer: Association Vidzeme Rural Partnership "Brasla"
Project implemented: 2021 - 2022
The study evaluated the implementation of the Vidzeme Rural Partnership “Brasla” community-led local development strategy for 2014-2020, its impact on the development of the territory, identifying the potential, formulating preconditions for further, effective operation of the association and cooperation partners in Limbaži region - in the cities of Aloja, Limbaži and Staicele, in the parishes of Aloja, Braslava, Brīvzemnieki, Katvara, Limbaži, Umurga, Vidriži and Staicele, in the parishes of Valmiera municipality - Dikļi, Zilākalns and Vaidava, in the territory of Sigulda municipality - Lēdurga parish, and in the territory of Cēsis municipality - Straupe and Stalbe. At the end of the study, conclusions were prepared on the implementation of the current development strategy, as well as recommendations for the future activities of the association and the preparation of the next development strategy were provided.
Within the framework of the research, various research methods were used - analysis of documents and statistical data, interviews with the municipality, two surveys - one with project applicants and the other with residents of the partnership area, and discussions with entrepreneurs and municipalities.
Development of Jurmala City Society Integration
plan
for 2023–2029 for the Development of a Cohesive and Inclusive Society
Project Customer: Jūrmala Regional Council
Project implemented: 2021 - 2022
As part of the service, a municipal sector development planning document was developed - the Jurmala City Society Integration Plan for 2023–2029. Within the framework of the first stage of the development of the plan, the research of the current situation was carried out - the analysis of planning documents was performed, the general description of the inhabitants of Jūrmala was provided, incl. population dynamics, structure, demographic trends and influencing factors, nationalities and social groups represented in the municipality, the measures aimed at the integration of the society and implemented by the municipality were described so far.
In the second stage, the needs of the society and the target group were identified in a survey and focus group discussion, the development directions of the social integration development policy in Jūrmala were defined. In the third stage, an Action Plan corresponding to the development directions was developed, including the measures to be implemented, outcome indicators, implementation period, responsible persons.
Development of Kuldīga Region Sustainability Strategy for 2022 - 2046 and Kuldīga Region Development Program for 2022 - 2028
Project Customer: Kuldīga region
Project implemented: 2021 - 2022
The aim of the project was to prepare a comprehensive description, forecasts and proposals of the current situation of the newly established territory of Kuldīga region based on data analysis, quantitative and qualitative evaluation. The description includes topics such as natural conditions and resources, natural and cultural heritage, landscapes, the impact of climate change. The assessment is based on geospatially structured data. The sustainable development strategy creates a spatial development perspective, which describes and graphically schematically depicts the potential of spatial structure of the territory.
Development of Tukums Region Sustainability Strategy for 2022 - 2042 and Tukums Region Development Program for 2022 - 2028
Project Customer: Tukums region
Project implemented: 2021 - 2022
Tukums region sustainable development strategy is a long-term territorial development planning document, the development of which aims to determine Tukums region's long-term development vision, strategic goals, long-term priorities, specialization and spatial development perspectives (in graphic and written form). Tukums region development program is a medium-term territorial development planning document, the development of which aims to determine medium-term priorities and a set of measures for the implementation of long-term strategic settings of the municipality.
Within the LUCIA project identified experience and solution distirbution potential identification in the Baltic Sea region
Project Customer: Riga Planning Region
Project implemented: 2020 - 2021
The aim of the project is to improve urban planning procedures and implement high-quality lighting projects, as well as to develop proposals for successful distribution of project results in the Baltic Sea region. Within the project, the tasks of the project "LUCIA", implemented activities, and the main results will be identified, as well as reports prepared on the most important information and main conclusions will be analyzed. The significance of the ecological, technological, economic and social aspects of the solutions developed by the pilot partners, the achieved quality, shortcomings and opportunities for further growth will be analyzed. The potential for dissemination of project results in the Baltic Sea Region through cooperation networks and organizations will be identified. Special attention will be paid to the project partners and stakeholders, and seminars organized by partners. Recommendations for successful project result dissemination in the Baltic Sea region will be based on information obtained within the study.
Development of support services for vocational education institutions progress and investment strategies development for 2021-2027
Project Customer: National Centre for Education
Project implemented: 2020 - 2021
The aim of the project is to provide support to vocational education institutions in their Development and Investment strategies 2021-2027 creation process. The support is given in accordance with the guidelines of “Vocational Education Institution Development and Investment Strategies 2021-2027” issued by the Ministry of Education and Science. The project includes:
- development of four video materials in cooperation with the experts delegated by the Ministry of Education and Science (topics: Goals of the educational institutions, vision, and mission; Action plan, conceptual vision for the future; Green activities and investments and Communication strategy);
- 5 four-hour online learning sessions (topics: Educational institution’s goals, development vision and strategic directions; Communication strategy; Financial resources; Human resource management (in the education system) and “Green thinking” and “green” activities);
- 2 face-to-face experience exchange events;
- 25 online consultations on five online learning themes.
The project provides support to the management teams of more than 60 vocational education institutions.
Entrepreneurship Education Action Plan Development Project No. PGI 05114 E-COOL
Project Customer: Zemgale Planning Region
Project implemented: 2020 - 2021
Development of Entrepreneurship Education Action Plan in the project of the cross-border cooperation program INTERREG EUROPE 2014-2020 No. PGI 05114 “Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Mindset in Young People through the Dynamisation of Competences, Teaching Methodologies and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”. Within the framework of the action plan it is necessary to:
- Analyze and summarize the existing information, materials and documents that have been developed in connection with the education sector (including the offer of business competencies and entrepreneurship education) in Zemgale and Latvia, to analyze the situation and prepare a final research report with conclusions and proposals.
- Organize at least two (2) thematic discussions for representatives of the state, local governments, private and non-governmental sectors who work in the development of business competencies and the provision of entrepreneurship education.
- To develop an Action Plan for the sustainable development of Zemgale region business competences and entrepreneurship education offer and a more supportive youth business environment.
Development of Profession Standards in Forest and Wood Processing Sector
Project Customer: Latvian Association of Woodprocessing Entrepreneurs and Exporters
Project implemented: 2020 - 2021
Development of the higher education profession standards in the forest (forestry, woodprocessing) sector, moderation and provision of methodological work.
Expert Services for the Project Application to Reduce CO2 Emissions in Municipalities
Project Customer: Riga Planning Region
Project implemented: 2020 - 2021
The project aim is to reduce travel and freight times, while also reducing CO2 emissions in the three corridors of the Central Baltic region defined by the project (North, Central and South), making them attractive for attracting new businesses and developing innovation.
- Northern corridor: Orebro-Turku-St. Petersburg;
- Medium corridor: Orebro - Tallinn - St. Petersburg;
- Southern corridor: Orebro - Riga - St. Petersburg.
The target groups of the project are administrative institutions involved in the development and implementation of regional development and transport policy, including national, regional level institutions and local governments. Decision makers, spatial planners, transport infrastructure planners and management system specialists, as well as freight carriers, companies and residents in the urban environment.
Development of a Book of Theories and Methods of Social Work
Projekta Customer: Ministry of Welfare
Project implemented: 2019 - 2021
The aim of the project is to prepare and publish a book in the field of social work on social casework, including theories in social work, methods and their application in practice. The task of the book is to provide methodological support to social work specialists - social workers, social caregivers, social rehabilitators, social assistance organizers, students and teachers of the study field “Social Welfare”, as well as specialists in other social fields.
Development of Modular Vocational Education Programmes and Development of the Content of Vocational Qualification Examinations
Project Customer: National Centre for Education
Project implemented: 2017 - 2021
Within the framework of the project "Improvement of the Sectoral Qualifications System to Develop and Ensure the Vocational Education" (Agreement No. 8.5.2.0/16/1/001), ESF (European Social Fund) specific objective SO 8.5.2 “To ensure the conformity of vocational education to the European qualifications framework”, the National Centre for Education implements projects “Development of Modular Vocational Education Programmes” and “Development of the Content of Vocational Qualification Examinations” aimed at developing flexible vocational education programmes and qualification exams, which would ensure a quick response to labour demand, both in the short and long term.
Vidzeme Tourism Development Strategy (Action Plan) 2020-2025
Project Customer: Latvian Green Road Association
Project implemented: 2020
The aim of the project is to develop the Vidzeme Tourism Development Strategy Action Plan 2020 - 2025 and to provide recomendations for the Vidzeme Tourism Development Strategy. The focus of the Action Plan was the development of greenways. In Action Plan the existing situation in the fields of transport and tourism was analyzed, recommendations for transport and tourism mobility development was created, as well as new tourism development opportunities at local, regional and national level, planning new potential green road development projects and support options, were formulated. In the Action Plan priorities, specific actions, responsible institutions, indicative time frame and sources of funding were included. Stakeholder participation was ensured in the planning process.
Measures and Evaluation of the Priority of Financing
Project Customer: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Project implemented: 2020
The aim of the project is to develop a methodology, measurable criteria and detailed guidelines for municipalities to apply the methodology, apply the criteria and identify priority measures that promote adaptation to climate change and climate risk mitigation. Withing the project the activities included in Latvia's adaptation to climate change plan for the period until 2030 were analyzed, as well as research and project results, foreign experience, policy planning documents, interviews with industry experts and other sources. A methodology was developed on how to prioritize the allocation of funding for the activities of different municipalities.
Economic Analysis of Measures Included in Daugava, Gauja, Lielupe and Venta River Basin's Management Plans for Years 2022-2027
Project Customer: Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center
Project implemented: 2020
In the result 4 separate reports were developed for the Daugava, Gauja, Lielupe and Venta river basins, including an assessment of the socio-economic significance of water use, water use trends and water pricing policy.
Project no. LLI-302 Safe Borderlands Study with an Action Plan for Improving Co-operation Between Latvian and Lithuanian Border Municipalities in Ensuring the Public Safety
Project Customer: Zemgale Planning Region
Project implemented: 2019 - 2020
Interreg V-A Latvian-Lithuanian cross-border cooperation program 2014-2020, Project No. LLI-302 “Improving the Efficiency and Availability of Local Public Security Services on the Latvian-Lithuanian Borderlands” / ”Safe Borderlands”.
Aim: To create a Study with an Action Plan to improve local government cooperation in Latvian-Lithuanian border municipalities in the Field of Public Security.
Territory: Latvian-Lithuanian border municipalities: Auce, Tērvete, Jelgava, Rundāle, Bauska, Vecumnieki, Viesīte and Aknīste municipalities in Latvia, Akmene, Joniškis, Pakroja, Pasvale, Biržai and Rokiškis municipalities in Lithuania.
Security service providers: Latvian State Police, Latvian State Fire and Rescue Service, Latvian State Border Guard, Latvian State Emergency Medical Service, local government police units, fire services - voluntary fire brigade organizations (Latvia and Lithuania), Lithuanian State Police Department, Lithuania State Fire and Rescue Department, Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, Lithuanian State Emergency Medical Service.
Development of Methodology for Social Work with Families with Children
Project Customer: Ministry of Welfare
Project implemented: 2018 - 2020
The service “Methodology for Social Work with Families with Children”, is funded by the European Social Fund project No. 9.2.1.1./15/I/001 “The Development of Professional Social Work in Local Governments”. The service aims to provide social workers of urban and rural social departments with an appropriate methodology for working with families with children and thereby promote the quality of social work. The project included research in social departments, methodology development and approbation, on-site training for social workers and development of online training materials.
Methodical material is available here: Methodological material
Conducting research on the environment promoting physical activity in educational institutions
Project customer: Ministry of Health
Project implemented: 2018 - 2020
The aim of the study was to find out the factors limiting and promoting physical activity in Latvian educational institutions. In order to obtain qualitative data (including identification of problems) on possible obstacles, the study assessed school infrastructure and planning of sports lessons, carried out an in-depth assessment of sports activities, including the provision of hygiene facilities, as well as an anonymous survey on hygiene habits.
The final study report is available here: Final study report
Guidelines for local planning of marine coastal waters and associated coastal areas
Project Customer: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Project implemented: 2018 - 2019
The service was developed within the project “EASME/EMFF/2016/1.2.1.6 - Maritime Spatial Planning” (“Pan Baltic Scope”) and its aim was to promote integrated maritime and land use planning at the local level by increasing the capacity of municipal specialists and citizen involvement in the planning process.
Possibilities for establishing a system of early labor market restructuring and linking medium-term and long-term labor market forecasts to policy
Project Customer: Ministry of Economics
Project implemented: 2016 - 2019
The aim of the project was to study and improve the existing system of anticipating labor market restructuring in order to ensure more timely and coordinated cooperation between state institutions and non-governmental organizations in anticipating labor market changes and implementing necessary restructuring, including expanding the use of medium and long-term labor market forecasts.
The final study report is available here: Final study report
Development and approbation of the methodical material "Practical Guide for Working with Adults in Vocational Education Institutions"
Project customer: National Centre for Education
Project implemented: 2018
The
purpose of the project was
to develop the capacity of vocational education institutions to create a
training offer for adult audiences, as well as to improve the capacity of
vocational education institutions to perform market analysis, to prepare
marketing and sales plans, to ensure promotion of services in the market and
successfully sell educational services. Within the framework of the project, a
working group of representatives of vocational education institutions in
cooperation with business management experts developed a methodological
material that can
serve as a tool for vocational education institutions when developing educational offerings
for adults.
Methodical material is available here: Methodological material
Research Study on the Possibilities of Volunteering and the Implementation of a Mentoring Model for the Enforcement of Criminal Sentences
Project Customer: Prison Administration Board
Project implemented: 2018
The Prison Administration Board implemented the project No. 9.1.2.0/16/I/001 "Integration of former prisoners into society and the labour market" aimed at supporting prisoners and former prisoners through offering them specific support measures, as well as through developing and implementing new support methods for the target group, including the development of volunteering and active involvement of the former prisoners’ family members, thereby contributing to the integration of the target group back into society and promoting their participation in the labour market. On the basis of the summarized information on the previous volunteering and mentoring practice in the enforcement of criminal sentences in Latvia, as well as on successfully implemented volunteering and mentoring models abroad and through gaining new ideas, insights and facts, recommendations on the implementation of voluntary work with convicted persons and the implementation of mentoring models in Latvia were elaborated.
The final study report is available here: Final study report
Functional Analysis of Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks According to the European Qualifications Framework Structure
Project Customer: National Centre for Education
During the research ACK carried out a functional analysis according to industry trends of the construction, printing, energy, timber, transport and business sectors, as well as the sectors of design and creative industries. The research resulted in a classified compilation of research materials and findings that determine the industry's required occupations according to industry trends. The results of the research will be further used for educational purposes.
Development of Future Scenarios for the Shipping and Energy Sectors and Identification of Critical Issues in These Sectors in the Context of Maritime Spatial Planning and Cross-border Cooperation and Development of Information Material
Project Customer: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Project implemented: 2017
Within the framework of the service, future scenarios for the shipping and energy sectors were developed, critical issues were defined for the BSR dialogue, proposals for integrating the results into the improved version of the Latvian MSP were worked out, and an informative material was prepared. As a result of active engagement and stakeholder involvement, the capacity of Latvian stakeholders as well as their readiness and openness to involve into transnational Maritime spatial planning discussions was increased, plus their ability to assess the international dimension of Maritime spatial planning was improved. In the result critical issues of shipping and energy sectors are identified for the Baltic Sea Region transboundary discussion planning.
Development of Reorganization Plans for Childcare Facilities in Kurzeme Planning Region
Project Customer: Kurzeme Planning Region
Project
implemented: 2017
The project provided the development of reorganisation plans for five long-term social childcare institutions in the Kurzeme Planning Region. The purpose of the reorganisation was to find situation improvement solutions for orphans and children left without parental care who are currently living and receiving services in institutions through transformation long-term social care services into society based social services, in accordance with international guidelines for alternative childcare.
Feasibility Study for Riga Tram Infrastructure Development Project
Project Customer: Riga City Council Traffic Department
Project implemented: 2016
The overall objective of the project was to promote
sustainable use of public transport in Riga, incorporating
less connected urban areas into the Riga
public transport network. The project is located in the Latvian capital, Riga,
with an area of 307 km2 and a population of 638,784. Riga is not only the largest
city in Latvia but also in the Baltic States. A risk analysis was carried out,
which included a sensitivity and risk analysis. The purpose of sensitivity
analysis is to identify 'critical' variables, i.e. factors
that have the greatest impact on project performance indicators, when changing positively or negatively, as well as
financial analysis and cost-benefit analysis.