On 28 October, 2019 Latvia-Russia CBC Programme Managing Authority and Viļaka Municipality Council signed the grant contract to implement the project “Development of the green tourism routes uniting the border regions of Latvia and Russia for common sustainable development of small cities and rural areas” (“Greenways Riga-Pskov”).
A well-known Greenways concept is coming to Latvia-Russia cross-border territory offering a safe and green travel route from Riga to Pskov – a non-motorized transport corridor based on former railways, river, canals and forest paths – suitable for hikers and cyclists.
The partnership includes 6 municipalities from Latvia (Vilaka, Balvi, Gulbene, Ergli, Ogre, Ropazhi), 4 districts from Russia (Pskov, Ostrov, Pytalovo, Palkino) and 2 umbrella organizations to will work on GW Riga-Pskov joint trail improvement, to offer the visitors un-interrupted and safe possibilities to travel among historic and cultural tourism objects in Latvia and Russia.
Project activities are focusing on 3 key areas:
- Development of Greenways infrastructure in Latvia-Russia border regions;
- Development of Riga-Pskov Greenways tourism product and promotion thereof in and beyond the Programme area;
- Improvement of target groups and project partners staff capacities.
Though the concept of Greenways is partly new to the Programme territory, the project taps on existing experience of Greenways in Europe offering new, sustainable, eco-friendly approach to tourism in Latvia and Russia.
The total budget of the project is over 793 thousand EUR, including Programme co-financing amounting to over 713 thousand EUR.
To find out more about “Greenways Riga-Pskov” project, visit the project portfolio.
