Inclusive and accessible Green Railways in Estonia and Latvia

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia

Date of latest update: 2024-09-17

Description

Description (EN):

The project aims to address joint challenges related to tourism in the programme area, including accessibility, social inclusion, social innovation, low competitiveness and added value of tourism products and services. The objective of the project to develop further the cross-border tourism product, Green Railways, by adding value to the existing Green Railways routes and sites, and developing and linking new routes and sites to the product. The project will increase accessibility to the product and related services for different target groups, such as children, parents of young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, as well as incorporate social participation of different target groups into product and service design process. The project also aims to sustain jobs in tourism and related sectors in regions outside bigger urban settlements and to raise the visibility and competitiveness of tourism offer in the programme area. The project will produce seven pilot investments based on three trail sections and four sites, with joint solutions developed and tested during that time. The joint solutions (4) will include the creation of new trails, attractions, e-bike solutions, and improved information and educational offerings. In addition, 4 sites will be improved to allow better accessibility to the Green Railways. The project will address physical, organizational, and emotional accessibility barriers, and will interpret it as a broader concept based on life cycle and not limited to people with disabilities. The project takes a cross-border approach because the Green Railways heritage-based tourism product straddles both EE and LV, and a joint effort is needed to address the challenges related to tourism in the region. The project partners will work together to set new practices and standards for future developments in the region, with a particular focus on accessibility, social innovation and inclusion in the tourism product and service design process.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The first period focused on preparatory activities for improving the accessibility of the GR routes and sites. Especially the pilot sites made the first concrete steps for preparing the consultations with the stakeholders on the most suitable options for improving accessibility to the GR product and related services. More details are provided under activity 2.1. The 2nd period continued with preparatory activities for improving the accessibility of the GR routes and sites. Primarily the pilot sites started with the first consultations with the stakeholders on the most suitable options for improving accessibility to the GR product and related services, and developing the first sketches of the planned investments. More details are provided under activity 2.1.

Project outputs: Joint development of organizations(EN)
Pilot actions for better social inclusion(EN)
Joint solutions for more accessible and inclusive Green Railways(EN)

Thematic information

Tourism

Priority: (VI-A_EE-Lv_4) More accessible and sustainable cross-border tourism experience

Priority specific objective: RSO4.6. Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 165 Protection, development and promotion of public tourism assets and tourism services

Partners (12)

Lead Partner: Latvijas zaļo ceļu asociācija

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 911785063

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 40008246059

Address: Lielā, LV-4139 Ieriķi, Latvia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.greenways.lv

Total budget: EUR 266 550.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 213 240.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 53 310.00

Smiltenes novada pašvaldība

Name: Smiltenes novada pašvaldība

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 917800421

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90009067337

Address: Dārza iela, LV-4729 Smiltene, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.smiltene.lv

Total budget: EUR 59 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 47 520.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 11 880.00

Gulbenes novada pašvaldība

Name: Gulbenes novada pašvaldība

Department: Procurement and development division

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 948181888

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90009116327

Address: Ābeļu iela, LV-4401 Gulbene, Latvia

Department address: Ābeļu iela, LV-4401 Gulbene, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.gulbene.lv

Total budget: EUR 133 150.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 106 520.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 630.00

Valmieras novada pašvaldība

Name: Valmieras novada pašvaldība

Department: Development Department

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 888550362

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90000043403

Address: Lāčplēša iela, LV-4201 Valmiera, Latvia

Department address: Lāčplēša iela, LV-4201 , Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.valmierasnovads.lv

Total budget: EUR 148 270.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 616.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 654.00

Contractors:

Name: SUSTENTO
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40008068529

Limbažu novada pašvaldība

Name: Limbažu novada pašvaldība

Department: Limbaži municipal agency “LAUTA”

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 885434237

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90009114631

Address: Rīgas iela, LV-4001 Limbaži, Latvia

Department address: Burtnieku, LV–4001 Limbaži, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.limbazunovads.lv

Total budget: EUR 40 300.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 32 240.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 060.00

Dienvidkurzemes novada pašvaldība

Name: Dienvidkurzemes novada pašvaldība

Department: Project department

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90000058625

Address: Lielā iela, LV-3430 Grobiņa, Latvia

Department address: Miķeļa Namiķa, LV-3430 Grobiņa, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.dkn.lv

Total budget: EUR 112 490.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 89 992.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 498.00

Kurzemes plānošanas reģions

Name: Kurzemes plānošanas reģions

Department: Project unit

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950641614

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90002183562

Address: Avotu iela, LV-3801 Saldus, Latvia

Department address: Valguma, LV-1048 Rīga, Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.kurzemesregions.lv

Total budget: EUR 82 150.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 65 720.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 430.00

Eesti Muuseumraudtee MTÜ

Name: Eesti Muuseumraudtee MTÜ

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 80002088

Address: Ülejõe, 87001 Lavassaare, Estonia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://museumrailway.ee/

Total budget: EUR 24 425.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 19 540.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 4 885.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Sihtasutus Haapsalu ja Läänemaa Muuseumid

Name: Sihtasutus Haapsalu ja Läänemaa Muuseumid

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 910109291

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EE101650524

Address: Kooli, 90502 Haapsalu, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.salm.ee

Total budget: EUR 102 275.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 81 820.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 455.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20

Mustvee Vallavalitsus

Name: Mustvee Vallavalitsus

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 77000364

Address: Tartu, 49603 Mustvee, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.mustveevald.kovtp.ee

Total budget: EUR 50 010.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 40 008.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 10 002.00

Valga Vallavalitsus

Name: Valga Vallavalitsus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 907342754

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 77000507

Address: Puiestee , 68203 Valga, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.valga.ee

Total budget: EUR 49 350.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 39 480.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 9 870.00

Mulgi Vallavalitsus

Name: Mulgi Vallavalitsus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 905617124

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 77000453

Address: Pärnu mnt , 69403 Abja-Paluoja, Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.mulgivald.ee

Total budget: EUR 111 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 89 280.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 320.00

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Inclusive and accessible Green Railways in Estonia and Latvia

Project acronym: Green Railway II

Project ID: EE-LV00057

Project start date: 2023-10-01

Project end date: 2026-09-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Green Railways, EstLat 24 (EN) | Green Railways II project capitalizes on the results and network created within Green Railways project, and the experiences learned during the project implementation.
The first Green Railways project was challenging, but at the same time very rewarding as it established a network of former railway corridors, and brought together stakeholders around them.
The route network created within Green Railways project was awarded by the European Greenways Association with an Excellence Award in 2019. (EN), Greenways Rīga-Viļaka, LV-RU-006 (EN) | Green Railways network has been extended during Greenways Rīga-Viļaka project by developing two more former railway lines - the section from Gulbene to Žīguri, and from Rīga (former Cekule station) to Ērgļi, in simillar manner as for the other former railway lines, thus giving visitors more opportunities to explore the region. The marketing materials created within the project also include all greenways created in Green Railways project. Gulbene municipality was a partner in the project, and LGWA - associate partner. (EN), Desti-SMART, PGI04871 (EN) | Desti-SMART project brought invaluable experience on the mobility aspects thats must be taken into account when developing greenways in rural areas - transport accessibility, greener transport planning procedures incl. charging infrastructure, more aligned transport connections, more facilities for hikers and cyclists and future planning of long-distance cycling infrastructure. The project adopted several good practices in Vidzeme, while the Green Railways network in Vidzeme and Southern Estonia has been selected as a good practice by Interreg Europe thematic experts, and published in the programme's Good Practice database. LGWA was a project pertner, and Stakeholders from Gulbene and Valmiera municipalities were closely involved in all the project activities.
(EN), Greenways Heritage, 785660 (EN) | European Commission COSME programme project contributed to the understanding how UNESCO World heritage sites nearby greenways can mutually benefit each other. In Vidzeme region the synergies and possibilities were explored for the former railways line Rīga - Ērgļi, as both have UNESCO heritage objects, but the concept can be applied further according to the Guimaraeas Declaration "to promote UNESCO heritage and other cultural assets in the proximity of greenways as an essential part of those greenways, and to promote the association of these two valuable resources as common destinations". (EN), LEADER projects, e.g. 19-00-A019.332-000004, 19-09-AL22-A019.2201-000011 (EN) | There have been numerous LEADER projects implemented to further improve sections of Green Railways network, as e.g. from Limbaži towards the railway line junctions in Puikule, where traffic restriction barriers were installed as well as cyclist-pedestrian counter.
A Strategic LEDAER project has been implemented between various local LEADER groups in Vidzeme, to engage SMEs around the Greenways, raise their awareness and inform visitors about the former railways. Several local voluntary cleaning events were also organized to engage the local communities and greenways enthusiasts. To further demonstrate the greenways use, visitors counters have been set-up at various parts of the trails. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 179 970.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 943 976.00

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

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 943 976.00. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I2.1 - Pilot: Rūjiena-Mõisaküla route creation (Latvia) - EUR 70 000.00 - country: Latvija (LV), street: Rūjiena to Estonia-Latvia border, Latvija (LV00), Vidzeme (LV008)
I2.2 - Pilot: Rūjena-Mõisaküla route creation (Estonia) - EUR 20 500.00 - country: Eesti (EE), town: Mõisaküla, street: Mõisaküla to Estonia-Latvia border, N/A, postal_code: 69302, Eesti (EE00), Lõuna-Eesti (EE008)
I2.4 - Pilot:Incusive service in Ape-Valga route(e-bikes) - EUR 10 000.00 - country: Eesti (EE), town: Valga, street: Jaama, 12, postal_code: 68204, Eesti (EE00), Lõuna-Eesti (EE008)
I2.6 - Pilot: Full accesibility solution in Gulbene trail - EUR 80 000.00 - country: Latvija (LV), town: Gulbene, street: Between Rīgas street and Brīvības street, Latvija (LV00), Vidzeme (LV008)
I2.7 - Pilot:Ape-Valga trail improvements(info/education) - EUR 35 000.00 - country: Latvija (LV), town: Ape town, street: N/A, N/A, postal_code: LV-4337, Latvija (LV00), Vidzeme (LV008)
I2.12 - Solution: Liepāja-Pāvilosta route creation - EUR 85 000.00 - country: Latvija (LV), street: Stretch from Liepāja to Pāvilosta, Latvija (LV00), Kurzeme (LV003)
I2.13 - Solution:Valmiera e-bike solution charging,parking - EUR 10 000.00 - country: Latvija (LV), town: Valmiera, street: Stacijas laukums, 1, postal_code: LV-4201, Latvija (LV00), Vidzeme (LV008)
I2.14 - Regular:Rail-bikes/hand-dresine, shelter Haapsalu - EUR 5 000.00 - country: Eesti (EE), town: Haapsalu, street: Raudtee tänav, L2, postal_code: 90506, Eesti (EE00), Lääne-Eesti (EE004)
I2.15 - Regular: Valmiera-Ainazi narrow-gauge route bridge - EUR 9 900.00 - country: Latvija (LV), street: Blusupīte stream crossing with GW, 57.856213 24.415700, Latvija (LV00), Vidzeme (LV008)

Deliverables:

Rūjiena-Mõisaküla route creation (Estonia and Latvia)
Mõisaküla wagon: creation of resting place
Inclusive service in Ape-Valga route (e-bikes)
Attraction: motorized dresine
Full accesibility solution in Gulbene trail
Ape-Valga trail improvements(info/education)
Rail-bikes/hand-dresine, shelter Haapsalu
Valmiera-Ainazi narrow-gauge route bridge
BANITIS audiovisual information solutions
Avinurme-Mustvee route creation
Attraction Avinurme train platform-wagon
Inclusive Lavassaare museumrailway
E-bikes for Vidzeme region
Liepāja-Pāvilosta route creation
Valmiera e-bike solution charging,parking
Upgraded cross-border tourism product Green Railways

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

Other European Parliament resolution of 25 March 2021 on establishing an EU strategy for sustainable tourism (2020/2038(INI)).
The project focuses on developing a sustainable cross-border tourism route that promotes local culture, history, and heritage while also preserving the environment. It aims to create a model for sustainable tourism that can be replicated in other regions, helping the EU to meet its goal of promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
The resolution point 44 Calls on the Commission to explore possible synergies with EuroVelo and its 17 corridors, notably by increasing financial support, in order to promote cycling tourism in Europe; calls on the Commission to encourage the reconversion of disused railway lines, including by supporting bike-train projects, and to actively support bike-train intermodality; proposes the promotion of cycling packages aimed at tourists combined with other sustainable offers; believes that cross-border routes for outdoor activities including rural, mountain or nautical tourism, promoted through specific networks supported by EU funding, can play a key role in connecting different Member State regions and diverting tourism flows in an efficient manner, while providing opportunities to boost tourism in less developed regions;
EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion o The Green Railways project contributes to several priorities and objectives of the EU Baltic Sea Strategy.
Firstly, it supports the objective of promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in the Baltic Sea Region. By developing a sustainable cross-border tourism route between Estonia and Latvia, the project contributes to the regional economy by creating jobs in the tourism and related sectors, and promoting the competitiveness of the tourism offer in the region. Furthermore, the project takes into account the needs of different target groups, such as children, parents of young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities (incl. temporary),making the tourism services and experiences more accessible for all groups of society, which aligns with the objective of promoting social innovation and social inclusion.
Secondly, the project contributes to the objective of preserving and promoting cultural heritage and diversity in the region. The Green Railways focuses on railway heritage-based cross-border routes, which help to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of both Estonia and Latvia.
Finally, the Green Railways project supports the objective of enhancing the quality and accessibility of tourism services in the Baltic Sea Region. By developing and linking new routes and sites to the Green Railways product, and improving the accessibility of existing sites and services, the project helps to enhance the quality and accessibility of tourism services in the region, making it a more attractive destination for tourists.
Other EU policy for cultural heritage in in regional policy
By highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the railway line, Green Railways seeks to promote the cultural heritage of both Estonia and Latvia and to use it as a basis for the development of sustainable tourism. This supports the EU's aim of using culture and heritage as a tool for regional development
Other EU Transition Pathway for Tourism.
One of the objectives of the project is to ensure that tourism services and experiences are accessible to all groups of society, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and families with young children. This aligns with the EU's goal of making tourism more accessible and inclusive, and of promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Eesti (EE), Mõisaküla, Kesk, 1a, 69302
Eesti (EE), Haapsalu, Raudtee tänav , L2, 90506
Eesti (EE),
Eesti (EE), Avinurme village, Raudteesilla tee, 42101
Eesti (EE), Lavassaare, Ülejõe, 1, 87001
Latvija (LV), Ieriķi, Lielā, 30, LV-4139
Latvija (LV), Gulbene-Alūksne Bānītis

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO84)Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects : 0.0
(RCO87)Organisations cooperating across borders: 12.0
(RCO116)Jointly developed solutions: 0.0

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR84)Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion: 0.0
(RCR104)Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations: 0.0

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

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-01-10

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

26 / 36 (72.22%)

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

124 / 171 (72.51%)

Notes on the data

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Inclusive and accessible Green Railways in Estonia and Latvia

Description

Thematic information

Partners (12)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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