We call on the European Parliament: “creating the conditions for growth in small cities and rural areas”!

During the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a major international event will be held: the European Parliament's “creation of the conditions for growth in small cities and rural areas”. From 3 to 5 June, representatives of the rural communities from all Latvia, the European Union and other countries will be gathered in the Līgatne to discuss, together with policy makers and representatives of development organisations, not only the challenges of rural and small-town communities, but also the solutions and opportunities for rural development. This is a great opportunity for all of us to be involved in the Presidency and to express our views on important issues!
The participants of the event will be able to hear inspiration stories from practitioners and experts, share their practical experience and knowledge, discuss interactively in joint sessions and working groups on the following issues:
- the economic potential of the countryside as a contribution to a more competitive EU;
- improving the quality of life of rural and small-town people by improving civic activity outside of development centres;
- ensuring the mobility of citizens and the availability of services.
The European Parliament will conclude a joint resolution that will include the commitment of the Community and policy makers to concrete actions in the next 2 years and in the long term. The resolution, with a call for involvement in its implementation, will be transferred to the responsible institutions in Latvia and the European Union. The rural Community resolution drawn up by Latvia as the Presidency will also be included in the discussions at the 2015 European Rural Parliament in Scotland.
In the evening of every day of the European Parliament, we will meet the Līgatne and the surrounding areas, as well as the daily life, culture, traditions, taste, sounds and dancers of Latvia and other countries in the informal atmosphere.
The end of the event will be accompanied by travelling workshops, presenting inspiring and practical community development stories that will be created in collaboration with the association “Cēsis District Rural Partnership”.
The rural community is invited by any rural population, a local community leader, a non-governmental organisation and a local government representative, a Member, a specialist in rural development, a ministry representative and a policy-makers. Calls on anyone who is willing to participate in the development of quality life in small cities and rural areas so that there is good living in Latvia!
REGISTRATION: WWW.LAUKUFORUMS.LV
Participation in the European Parliament is free!
The idea of the rural Parliament is based on increasing the capacity of participatory democracy and the rural community. The aim of Parliament is to create successful solutions and new opportunities for rural development by promoting cooperation between the various parties at local, regional, national and international level.
For the first time, the idea of the European Parliament was implemented in Latvia in 2013 in the area of the Preilu District Partnership, where 1 was held. Parliament of the Rural Communities of Latvia. The organisers, the Latvian Rural Forum, combined around 200 participants who were involved in discussions on the rural communities on topical topics, resulting in a resolution or an action plan for the next two years. The Latvian Rural Forum, its members and co-operation partners have invested significant work not only at local, regional and national level during these two years, but also developed cooperation at international level. As a result, the European Parliament is one of the events of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2015.
PROVISIONAL AGENDA
 1. DAY - 3. JUNE, Wednesday
DAY OF THE DAY (10:00 – 19:00)
- Discovery of the European Parliament. Community actuality. Opinions of the leaders of the opinion. Overview of 1. A resolution of the European Parliament of the Council of Latvia. Commencement of work on the development of the second European Parliament resolution.
- Thematic session 1 “Strengthening the economic potential of rural areas as a contribution to a more competitive EU” — joint session and work in groups.
- Thematic session 2 “Improving the quality of life of rural and small-town people through the development of civil society outside of development centres” – joint session and work in groups.
EVENING CĒLIENS (19:00 – 24: 00)
International evening. Familiarisation, mutual communication and networking. Multinational food. Informal interaction between participants. A musical entertainment evening.
2. DAY - 4. JUNE, Thursday
DAY OF THE DAY (10:00 – 19:00)
- Thematic session 3 “Provision of citizens' mobility and access to services in the context of rural development” — joint session and work in groups.
- final session: motions for resolutions, summaries and joint commitment to co-operation.
EVENING CĒLIENS (19:00 – 24: 00)
- Festival of the Līgatne. Craftsmen's trade. Līgatne Knowledge - paper factory, army bunkers, cave cellar, factory village architecture, nature trails etc. The performances of local artists. A ball with live music.
3. DAY - 5. JUNE, Friday
DAY OF THE DAY (10:00 – 16:00)
- familiarisation of the practice of local communities and the exchange of good practices.
- the conclusion of the European Parliament.
Do not miss the opportunity to participate in the development forum!
In parallel with the activities of the European Parliament, a development forum will be held in the Līgatne, which is organised by the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (PAGES), with participation of the Latvian Rural Forum. The Members of the European Parliament also have the opportunity to participate in the activities of the development forum. Additional information, agenda and registration: www.lapas.lv
Liv Stupele, Latvian Rural Forum
Email: liva@llf.partneribas.lv, tel. 288 55 427
More information: www.laukuforums.lv
The Latvian Rural Forum (LLF) is a national non-governmental organisation founded in 2004. The mission of the association is to promote the balanced development of Latvian countryside so that Latvia's fields become a place where people who are able to realise economic and social needs in their place of residence. LLF operates 68 member organizations. More about LLF: llf.partneribas.lv