On Tuesday, 27 May, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the European Union (EU) funds programme for the 2021–2027 programming period, submitted by the Ministry of Finance as the managing authority. These amendments were developed based on the programme’s mid-term review and are intended to flexibly adjust investments to current national priorities, while optimising the flow of funding and accelerating its uptake. The amendments foresee significant reallocations of EU funding, with a strong emphasis on strengthening national security — including investments in cybersecurity, military mobility, energy security, civil protection, as well as regional and social security.
We are currently at the midpoint of the EU funding period — a key moment to assess how to ensure the most efficient use of the available resources. The mid-term review and the approved programme amendments allow us to flexibly redirect investments in line with current national priorities, including strengthening security, developing transport infrastructure, and supporting the most vulnerable members of society," said Minister for Finance Arvils Ašeradens.
In total, €171.1 million will be allocated to reinforce security and resilience, including:
- €33.3 million – to enhance cybersecurity in state information and communication technology (ICT) systems,
- €35 million – to strengthen energy independence (e.g. biomethane injection points, generators, grid connections),
- €4.3 million – to improve military mobility (reconstruction of the Vienibas Bridge in Daugavpils),
- €13.8 million – to develop dual-use infrastructure in regions (e.g. access roads to the Selija military training area),
- €3.9 million – to support the development of industrial parks in regions,
- €24.6 million – to establish new disaster management centres,
- €22.2 million – to install civil protection shelters.
An additional €34 million will be allocated to the creation of an Innovation Fund under the supervision of the Ministry of Economics. The fund will support strategically important investments in Latvia, particularly in areas covered by the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), including artificial intelligence, advanced materials, semiconductors, biotechnology, and other high value-added technologies.
To strengthen social protection, €27.3 million will be reallocated to the Ministry of Welfare for the European Social Fund Plus programme, ensuring continued support for the most deprived individuals. The funding will maintain the availability of food parcels and basic material assistance in the coming years.
A total of €463.8 million will be restructured within the transport sector, with a primary focus on railway development, including:
- €325.4 million – for investments in railway infrastructure: construction of the Riga International Airport (RIX) station, connection to Riga Central Station, and platform and infrastructure modernisation,
- €104.6 million – for the purchase of battery electric multiple units (BEMU) and the creation of charging infrastructure,
- €31.9 million – for the development of dual-use infrastructure in major ports (improving access and logistics),
- €1.9 million – for the installation of an anti-drone defence system at Riga International Airport.
To accelerate investment implementation and minimise the risk of delays, targeted reallocations of approximately €100 million are being proposed within the investment frameworks managed by individual ministries. The funding will be redirected to high-priority and ready-to-implement investment projects, thereby promoting more effective implementation of EU fund
The Ministry of Finance continues to work on reducing administrative burdens in the management of EU funds to further simplify and accelerate project implementation.
Before submission to the Cabinet, the proposed programme amendments were presented to social and cooperation partners and approved by the EU Funds Monitoring Committee.
Following the government’s approval, the amendments will be submitted to the European Commission. The reallocated and flexible funding will become available after a positive decision from the Commission.
In light of the Regulation amendments proposed by the European Commission (as part of the ReARM initiative), which foresee broader possibilities for investments in security and defence, the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with line ministries, will assess the possibility of submitting another round of programme amendments in autumn this year. These amendments are expected to expand the range of eligible investments in the fields of security and defence.
*The amounts mentioned above refer to the EU fund contributions only (excluding national co-financing).