The Environmental Implementation Review is available HERE >>>
“We are proud that, among the many nature restoration and conservation initiatives across Europe, the European Commission has highlighted LatViaNature’s ‘Blooming Meadows’ pilot programme. It represents an innovative approach based on voluntary cooperation to promote nature conservation on privately owned land outside specially protected nature areas,” says Ieva Saleniece, Project Manager of LatViaNature.
In 2023, LatViaNature began testing new models of voluntary cooperation in Latvia through the “Blooming Meadows” pilot programme, introducing a contractual approach to the conservation of natural values. The programme aims to develop and enhance biodiversity-rich grasslands by providing participants with tailored annual advisory and financial support, as well as training on measures to promote biodiversity. The pilot programme brings together 65 participants from across Latvia, collectively managing 678 hectares of permanent grassland.
The programme applies an innovative results-based approach in Latvia: the higher the level of biodiversity achieved in a permanent grassland, the higher the financial support provided. Together with experts from the University of Latvia and the Nature Conservation Agency, participants take part in annual grassland biodiversity monitoring, recording plant species and assessing grassland structure.
The “Blooming Meadows” pilot programme will continue until the end of 2026. Upon its completion, the results will be evaluated and recommendations developed to improve incentive mechanisms at national level, with the aim of more effectively engaging private landowners in the conservation of natural values.
The European Commission regularly carries out the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) to monitor and support the implementation of EU environmental legislation and policies across the Member States.
