The Latvian project “Preservation, Exhibition and Development of the Cultural-Historical and Natural Heritage of Northern Kurzeme” has been selected as a finalist in the European Commission’s (EC) RegioStars 2025 competition. This year, a record number of applications were submitted – 266 projects from across Europe, of which 25 were chosen for the final. The Latvian project has been nominated in Category 5 – “Europe Closer to Citizens”, alongside projects from Lithuania, Portugal, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Romania, and Hungary.
The winner of the category will be announced at the competition’s final in Brussels on 15 October, but for now, the public is invited to support the project by voting for the Public Choice Award. Voting is possible once per day until 15 October at 12:00 (CET) on the EC website: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/projects/regio-stars-awards_en
The project was implemented by the Ventspils Museum in cooperation with the Ventspils Municipality, Talsi Municipality (formerly Dundaga Municipality), and Jūrkalne Roman Catholic Parish, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund. It realized ideas of great importance to the residents of Ventspils, Ventspils Municipality, and Talsi Municipality. Boardwalks were built to improve access to the Grey Dunes and new infrastructure for nature heritage protection was established in Ventspils. A Livonian–Ventspils walking and cycling path was created in Tārgale Parish. With the construction of the open-air concert hall Vējturu Nams, the Jūrkalne Nature and Recreation Park was enhanced. The Jūrkalne St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church was restored and improved. A pedestrian and cyclist bridge was built across the Irbe River, and equipment was purchased for the Livonian Community House in Kolka. Within the project, rooms of Dundaga Castle were rebuilt and adapted, creating a ceremonial hall as well as wool and weaving workshops.
The most extensive part of the project – for the first time in the past hundred years, a new museum building was constructed with municipal involvement – the Ventspils Seaside Open-Air Museum, complete with a new permanent exhibition. This large-scale project emphasizes the sustainable development of all territories involved. By implementing the project’s objectives across a broad area – Kolka, Dundaga, Tārgale, Jūrkalne, and Ventspils – economic, social, and territorial balance was promoted, as the activities successfully shifted focus away from the traditional emphasis on major city development.
The total project cost amounted to €5,251,096, of which 85% (€4,463,431) was financed by the EU. The project was carried out between 17 January 2018 and February 2024.
Since 2008, RegioStars has been the EC’s quality label for outstanding EU co-funded projects across Europe that inspire regions to create sustainable and inclusive development initiatives.
This year’s competition evaluates the best projects in five categories: “A Competitive and Smart Europe,” “A Green Europe,” “A Connected Europe,” “A Social and Inclusive Europe,” and “Europe Closer to Citizens.”