The implementation of Phase 3 of the Project „Improved knowledge and capacities” simultaneously achieves two objectives:

1. consolidates the knowledge capacity of Latvia in identifying and addressing land degradation problems by undertaking the following integrated activities:
• develops a textbook for the University of Latvia and the Latvian University of Agriculture;
• develops a training module for farmers, environmental inspectors and decision-makers at the local government level on land degradation problems;
• collates the acquired experience and knowledge and makes them publicly accessible in a user-friendly format.
2. augments the knowledge and understanding of the general public in general and in particular target groups in Latvia about land degradation issues, supporting Project activities by public relations events.

In total the Project has 200 partners, among them the Ministry of Environment, the Latvia Environment Agency, the State Environment Inspection, the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Latvian Agriculture Advisory and Training Center, the Rural Support Service, the Ministry of Justice, the State Land Service, the University of Latvia, the Latvian University of Agriculture, the Latvian Union of Local Authorities, the Nīca municipality in the Liepāja district, the Local Government of the Jelgava district, the state limited liability company „Research Centre for Agro- Chemistry” and others..

Activities

Research
The inclusion of land and soil sustainable management issues in curricula at all levels of education is one of the key prerequisites for ensuring that the future generations in Latvia will be knowledgeable and responsible. Within the frame of the Project the limited liability company „Ekoncepts” identifies the reflection of these issues in the educational system. It is planned that the report formulated as a result of the said survey will indicate areas that require particular improvement.

Education

The preliminary study undertaken in the process of preparing the Project revealed that no up-to-date textbooks were available to students of higher educational institutions and universities in Latvia. A textbook on soil and land sustainable management will developed and published within the frame of the Project with the purpose of improving the academic capacity, consolidating the knowledge of the academia and promoting an understanding of land degradation problems. In 2006 an agreement was signed with the University of Latvia on the development of the textbook - it is planned that it will be available to students already in September of 2007.

During the meeting in 19 June 2006 participants of the task force for Phase 3 expressed their concern about the insufficient coverage and discussion of land sustainable management issues in standards and syllabi for subjects of general and vocation education. As currently specialists of the Syllabi and Examination Centre work on standards for subjects in secondary school, negotiations have been started about possibilities of preparing methodological material within the Project for specific grades to enable teachers to improve the quality of the discussion of these issues in the classroom.

Farmers, land owners and land managers take decisions on daily basis that have a significant impact on land quality in the long term. Although on the whole Latvia has a very well developed system of further education related to agriculture, however, until now land degradation issues have not been emphasized and discussed. Thus, it is planned within the frame of the Project to develop a curriculum on practical sustainable land management issues that would be adapted to the conditions of Latvia as well as use pilot projects implemented within the frame of the project. In municipalities that are involved in the Project, farmers, land users and land managers will have the opportunity to take these educational courses free of charge. It is planned that the above curriculum will be disseminated also in the rest of Latvia.

Communication
Phase 3 implements public relations activities for reflecting land sustainable management and land degradation issues in the public information space.
Links to press releases etc.