LSG Development: Forum of rural settlements - starting point of cooperation

On 28-29 August Forum of rural settlements of Leningrad region “Development of Leningrad Region Territory: methods and instruments of problem solving” was held by the Project “LSG Development” in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region. The Forum became a unique event for the region being fully devoted to the problems of development of rural territories; the event united the representatives of local self-governments from different and as well most remote municipalities of the Leningrad Region. Organization of the Forum within the frame of the Leningrad Region Day during the Exhibition “AgroRuss” enabled the maximum number of interested parties to take part.

20 representatives of Latvian delegation, including specialists from Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (Project partner) and 11 Heads of Latvian municipalities took part in the work of the Forum. Guests from Latvia were introduced with the organization of local self-government in Leningrad Region and shared their views on similarity and differences between Russian and Latvian local self-government system. The Forum was as well attended by invitees from the Public Council, the elders of rural settlements, the Heads of pilot municipalities of the Project – Shugozerskoje rural settlement and Gulbene municipality.

During the first day of the Forum a round table discussion was devoted to experience exchange in the sphere of administration and development of rural settlements in the Leningrad Region and Latvian Republic. On the second day an on-spot visit offered the participants a chance to see the everyday life of Krasnoozerskoje rural settlement.

As a result the Forum participants discovered spheres of mutual interest and defined the potential of cooperation between Latvian and Russian municipalities in culture, tourism, education and agriculture. These fruitful contacts will be strengthened during on-going study tour to Latvia in December, 2013.

Memorable moments of the Forum:
 



Photos provided by the Project.
More information about the Project “LSG Development” can be found in PORTFOLIO.