The Latvian government will spend EUR 22 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to create and equip shelters in the country.

LSM reported on this.

A proposal for the possible funding distribution was sent to local authorities on Wednesday for consideration.

These funds are expected to allow at least 500 state and municipal properties to be adapted and equipped as shelters of the appropriate category.

To provide shelter to as many people as possible with European funding, the State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia has classified shelters according to several criteria, including the locality’s population density and the location of the relevant premises in the municipality.

“This is the first real funding to accelerate the installation and equipping of shelters in Latvia. ERDF funding allows us to make a significant breakthrough in this segment of civil protection, and I look forward to a quick and constructive cooperation with Latvian municipalities,” Minister of the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis shared.

To start the construction of shelters as soon as possible, the Ministry of the Interior has asked municipalities to submit their funding proposals by the end of February.

The Ministry also notes that negotiations are ongoing with the European Economic Area donor countries and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for additional funding from this instrument starting in 2027.

So far, Latvian rescuers have checked 3,200 basements of state and municipal buildings. Of these, 398 were found suitable, and 1254 were partially suitable for use as shelters.

Thus, more than half a million people in Latvia will be provided with emergency shelter.

Last year, Latvia announced plans to equip and restore 3.12 thousand shelters and 12.49 thousand temporary shelters across the country for 1.249 million people in the period from 2025 to 2034.

The country will have to spend at least €99 million.