Horizontal principles

The Programme encourages the application of principles of sustainability to all aspects related to project management. The lead partners are asked to consider the most sustainable and nature-friendly use of all resources that are planned for implementing projects under all programme priorities. This applies to the dissemination materials, print-outs, meetings, modes of communication, etc. While the travels are an essential part of cross-border activities, beneficiaries of the Programme are encouraged to choose the most sustainable travel mode. The applicants and partners are encouraged to use more quality-related and lifecycle-based criteria when planning activities to minimise negative effects on the environment. When feasible, environmental (e.g. green public procurement criteria) and social considerations as well as innovative solutions should be taken into account. 

The project needs to explain how it will prevent or mitigate the negative impact. Projects with direct negative impact on the environment and sustainable development will not be funded.

Programme priorities 3 and 4 relate directly to sustainability. Priority 3 “Sustainable and resilient programme area”, specific objective 3.1 focuses directly on protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure and reducing all forms of pollution. Priority 4 “More accessible and sustainable cross-border tourism experience”, specific objective 4.1 aims to enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation. Projects funded under these specific objectives will have to clearly demonstrate a direct positive impact on sustainable development of their regions. 

Based on the preliminary estimate of the strategic environmental assessment of the Estonia-Latvia programme, the programme is unlikely to have significant impact to the environment under any of the POs and SOs. Additionally, a Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) assessment for main activities has been carried out based on the European Commission Notice “Technical guidance on the application of ‘do no significant harm’ under the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation”, 2021/C 58/01. The types of actions have been assessed as compatible with the Do No Significant Harm principle.

As a general approach, all projects will be requested to integrate these horizontal issues in their activities or, at least, to consider the project’s influence on these. Projects with a direct negative impact on equal opportunities and non-discrimination will not be approved.

In addition to the general principle of non-discrimination, the Programme will pay attention to the equality between men and women. Projects with a negative impact on equality between men and women will not be approved.

The Programme specific objectives, among others, contribute to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals such as “Clean water and sanitation”, “Decent work and economic growth”, “Sustainable cities and communities”, “Responsible consumption and production”, “Climate action”, “Life below water”, “Life on Land” and “Partnerships for the goals”. In addition, by supporting sustainable and innovative ideas, the programme also aims at selecting operations that demonstrate contribution to digitalisation. Projects with a direct negative impact in relation to these principles are not approved.

The Programme contributes to reaching climate objectives accordingly to Recital 5 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1059 and Article 6 of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, in the total amount of 6 970 000 MEUR or 26.80 % of the whole Programme budget. Likewise, the Programme aims to contribute to mainstream biodiversity action, as stated in the Regulation (EU) 2021/1059, Recital 11. Thus, the Programme will contribute with 8 832 738 euros or 36.34 % of the whole Programme budget to reaching biodiversity objectives.

There will be no specific activities foreseen, but the programme promotes the New European Bauhaus as relevant, e.g., under PO2 and PO4 (accordingly priorities 3 and 4). However, the project applicants are encouraged to follow the principles of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion, laid down in the New European Bauhaus initiative.

To ensure compliance with e-cohesion goals, all exchanges between project partners and all the programme authorities are carried out by means of fully functional electronic data exchange in accordance with Annex XIV of the Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. The project applications are submitted to, and the feedback is given in the Joint Electronic Monitoring System (JEMS).