Estonia-Latvia Gravel Initiative '24

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia

Date of latest update: 2026-04-13

Description

Description (EN):

A new trend in the world, alongside mountain biking, is gravel cycling, which requires a suitable environment (gravel and forest roads), as well as additional knowledge for organizers, judges, and security staff. As this discipline is relatively new, the long-term goal is to host the 2025 Nordic Gravel Championships in the Baltic region. The main objective of the project is to improve cooperation between local and regional communities and to train experienced gravel event organizers by people-to-people actions in South Estonia and Vidzeme. By organizing two gravel stages - 1 in Estonia, 1 in Latvia - there will be an improvement in the cooperation between cycling clubs, local governments, businesses, and residents which will raise the quality of events. This in turn will work as a way of popularizing the sport in the region. The results of this project is measured by the number of participants (goal: 1600), spectators (goal: 800), and organizers involved (45). Main outputs - An increased level of competence among the organizers - The technical guide will document the whole process to guarantee the event's sustainability and ensure the knowledge is secure. - Exchange of contacts and cooperation between the cycling clubs, companies, residents, and local governments of Estonia and Latvia. Since the events will require the participation of all of these parties, cooperation will be in the form of an exchange of information, providing services, and acquiring permits. A cross-border approach is needed, as this allows: -Greater expertise exchange -Creating a larger network of organizers and other parties -Attracting more participants from both sides of the border Originality of the project Although gravel races have been organized in Estonia and Latvia also before, this project will create a cross-border knowledge exchange by splitting the event between the two countries.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The project successfully delivered key activities, such as organizing 2 gravel races – one in Smiltene and one in Valga, conducting 3 training sessions (Cesis-Valmiera, Raplamaa, Sigulda) and developing the Technical Guide. While the project primarily aimed to improve cooperation between communities in South Estonia and Vidzeme (Latvia), it also engaged organizations from other regions as well. The project improved cooperation between communities by organizing two gravel cycling events. By working together, Estonian and Latvian partners shared knowledge, resources and best practices, making the event organization more effective. These two gravel events brought together thousands of participants, spectators and organizers, strengthening the connections between cycling clubs, local governments and businesses. The project not only supported cross-border cooperation but also helped grow the local cycling community and boost the regional economy. Overall, it created lasting relationships and contributed to the development of cycling culture in both areas.

Project outputs: Number of participants of the Baltic Gravel Races 24(EN)
Number of people involved in the organization of Baltic Gravel Races 24 (EN)
Website: https://estoniancup.ee/

Thematic information

Health and social services

Priority: (VI-A_EE-Lv_1) More cooperating cross-border regions and development of joint services

Priority specific objective: ISO6.3. Build up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions (strands A, D and, where appropriate, strand B)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 173 Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement territorial cooperation projects and initiatives in a cross-border, transnational, maritime and inter-regional context

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Mittetulundusühing Pro Jalgratturite Klubi

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 80112339

Address: Rohu, 10612 Tallinn, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.proklubi.ee

Total budget: EUR 41 912.90

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 33 530.32

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 382.58

Latvijas Kalnu divritenu federacija

Name: Latvijas Kalnu divritenu federacija

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 40008071001

Address: Bruņinieku iela , 1009 Riga, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Total budget: EUR 31 853.14

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 25 482.51

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 6 370.63

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Latvian Mountain Bicycling Federation

Estonia-Latvia Gravel Initiative '24

Partners and Projects info

Pro Cyclists Club NGO

Estonia-Latvia Gravel Initiative '24

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Estonia-Latvia Gravel Initiative '24

Project acronym: ESTLAT Gravel`24

Project ID: EE-LV00079

Project start date: 2023-09-25

Project end date: 2024-11-24

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

Baltic Chain Tours 2021, 2022 (ERDF, Estonia) (EN) | Baltic Chain Tour is a stage race for professional road bicycle racers organized as a part of the UCI Continental Circuits. Baltic Chain Tour was established to commemorate Baltic Way. The Tour is conducted mainly in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Baltic Chain Tour is a UCI category 2.2 cycling tour.
It has received EU funding via Enterprise Estonia and is one of the building blocks of professional level cycling in the region. Thanks to the BTC, there is interest from cyclists and also spectators for the sport in the Baltics. The current project will build upon this tradition to further drive the popularity of cycling in the region. (EN), Organizing two gravel races and two BTC events in 2023 (Estonian EU external border programme, 6th call) (EN) | In 2023 Liivimaa Rattaklubi with the support of EU funding will organize two official gravel races in Southern Estonia (alongside two BTC stages). This will be the first time official gravel races are held in the Estonia-Latvia region. This will be the first benchmark and learning opportunity to organize and deliver a successful 2024 ESTLAT Gravel '24 project. (EN)

Relevant mentions and prizes:

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 73 766.04

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 59 012.83

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 59 012.83. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion Regarding the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the project contributes to the following objectives and sub-objectives:
PA TOURISM
Connecting the region
The project will attract people to participate in the stages and promote cooperation between local populations and businesses
Increase Prosperity
The project will bring in participants and onlookers, who will in turn spend their money and give a boost the local businesses
Save the Environment
The project is focused on promoting cycling, which is a very sustainable type of sport and a sustainable method of transportation.
PA HEALTH
A healthy population in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) is a prerequisite for productivity, economic competitiveness and further development. As this project aims to popularize cycling, it has a positive effect on the behavior on the population.
Other Strategy of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale)
Cycling is both a green transport method, a channel for social interaction and a source of inspiration for living a fuller life.
The culture of cycling, and thus the culture of organizing cycling events as sub-concepts, is driven at global level by the
UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale).
https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/1KiyaBNO5slAqnyozjUY4m/deb98f722291a376775b58d96d505b13/cfa-manifesto.pdf
From their manifesto:
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for the sport of cycling, and we are committed to the wider growth of cycling around the world as an everyday activity.
Cycling can help tackle some of the pressing challenges facing humanity. Reduced air pollution, lowered traffic congestion, and improved public health are among the many benefits that greater everyday cycling around the world offers, accessible to all, rich or poor.
Research funded by the UCI has shown that a switch to cycling from motorised vehicles will not only deliver these benefits, but also generate infrastructure savings of up to $25 trillion by 2050.
The world has committed to realising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and cycling is key to delivering many of these goals. We call on leaders all over the world to put cycling at the centre of their policies on sustainable development.
WE WILL:
- promote cycling as a versatile, economical and sustainable form of transport and part of a healthy lifestyle accessible to all;
- work with other groups and organisations to advocate and speak with one voice on behalf of cycling;
- ensure that our National Federations are empowered to promote and support advocacy activities in their countries and best practice is shared amongst them.
Other The culture of cycling, and thus the culture of organizing cycling events as sub-concepts, is driven on the national level by the
Estonian Cyclist Union
Latvian Cycling Federation
The development plan from the Estonian Cyclist Union states:
The main challenges for Estonian cycling in the coming period are to increase cooperation and networking with public authorities, local authorities, educational institutions, interest groups, and businesses supporting the development of the sector. The ECU needs to find effective cooperation solutions that will help to develop professional cycling in Estonia, increase the popularity of cycling and its recreational scope, create new cycling facilities, modernize the system of vocational training for coaches, and increase the support base for the sector. The ECU, as a governing body, will also have to take decisions to accelerate the adoption of new trends and training methods in the sector.
From the statutes of the LCF:
2.1 The objectives of the Association are:
2.1.1. to develop all cycling sports in the Republic of Latvia;
2.1.2. to organise cycling sports in the Republic of Latvia;
2.1.3. to lead the integration of Latvian cycling into the national and international sports movement.
Other In addition, the bicycle industry also contributes to driving the future of the sector through the corporate social responsibility principle.
https://media.rapha.cc/image/upload/v1668092841/graphics/Rapha_Roadmap_160519.pdf
The overlapping views of all three parties include the recognition that both pro-level and grassroots formats are needed to achieve the objectives.
There is also a divide between the parties. On the one hand, innovations in bicycle technologies have allowed for an increase in cycling speeds, amplifying the experience. On the other hand, innovation has led to the different cycling styles becoming increasingly technical.
As a solution, the parties have introduced the so-called gravel discipline.
The speeds in this discipline are about a third lower and do not exceed the tolerance limit of amateurs.
The races take place on smooth gravel and forest roads, where the technicality of the track does not intimidate the riders.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO81) Participations in joint actions across borders: 2535.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR85) Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion: 1773.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-04

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

66 / 66 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

284 / 284 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Estonia-Latvia Gravel Initiative '24

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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