BEACH-SOS Project Highlighted at National Blue Flag Meeting: Saulkrasti Municipality Takes Center Stage

Janis Ulme. FEE-Latvia

The recent National Blue Flag Annual Meeting in Latvia, held on 1 December, was an exceptional gathering, with over 30 participants representing municipalities, state institutions and NGOs actively involved in the implementation of the Blue Flag Programme.

The Municipality of Saulkrasti, which is already deeply involved in local project initiatives, took centre stage during the event. Their presentation highlighted the importance of the project in transforming Saulkrasti into a tourism-oriented centre. They also presented initial results from local opinion surveys and stakeholder engagement.

The impact of severe weather events on Latvia’s coastal communities has been profound, leading to a decline in bathing water quality and the loss of Blue Flag certification for some regions. These extreme weather events have been identified as a key factor affecting bathing water quality throughout the European Union.

In a similar vein, the BEACH-SOS project received widespread recognition earlier this year, on 19 October, when FEE Latvia presented it to a wider audience during the Blue Flag National Operators Virtual Meeting. This meeting brought together participants from most of the 51 countries represented in the Blue Flag programme.

The BEACH SOS initiative continues to gain attention and traction, addressing critical coastal issues and fostering collaboration across national and international platforms.

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