The increasing popularity of nature based recreation puts a growing pressure on environment and biological diversity. It results in behaviour that brings, even without intention, a negative environmental impact. To address this challenge, this project will develop the Code of Conduct - a common set of rules regulating the use of coastal nature areas for recreation purposes. The common Code of Conduct will be based on combined stakeholder interests: harmonisation of the existing municipality and nature conservation regulations, economic and recreation interests of local communities, and tourist interests. The project will provide a networking platform for all stakeholders to meet, discuss challenges and solutions, present their interests and arguments, and reach common result.

Project expected results:

• Development and implementation of a common Code of Conduct in coastal areas - Green Belt Latvia;
• Communication strategy with the aim of promoting public understanding of the rules, their acceptance and appropriate action;
• Policy proposals on the implementation of common rules, addressing local, county municipalities and decision-makers at the national level, their purpose is to provide national level support to local governments and local society in the implementation of rules.

Tangible impacts during the project: the municipalities in the Latvian Green Belt territory accepted the common Code of Conduct to work in their territories.

Tangible impacts beyond the project lifetime:

• the Code of Conduct integrated in local municipality regulations in LGB territory;
• the Code of Conduct publicized to reach the target audience – local communities, businesses, territory developers, visitors, and other users of nature resources;
• local infrastructure will be planned to balance the needs of human recreation and protection of biotopes and species (e.g., coastal access, parking, waste management, picnic and camping sites, etc.);
• changed behaviour of the society towards nature responsibility through awareness (reduced waste amounts in public recreation areas, respect to animals, birds, plants and their habitats).

About BESTbelt:

Connecting and protecting unique landscapes throughout Europe by empowering local stakeholders is the focus of the new BESTbelt pilot project. In the framework of the European Green Belt (EGB), BESTbelt provides not only funding for conservation projects and sustainable development but also training and guidance on project management. Furthermore, BESTbelt is addressing the younger generation of European conservationists by fostering the exchange of information and establishing networks.

https://www.europeangreenbelt.org/bestbelt - here you can find more information about BESTbelt.