Between September 28 and October 1, 2026, SELINA project partners gathered in Riga, Latvia, for their eighth workshop to review ecosystem service tools.
Organized by Latvian partners Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development ( MoSARD) and Baltic Environmental Forum ( BEF), the four-scale event drew roughly 50 attendees in person. Another 10 participants joined online for the sessions hosted at the Riga National Library.
The gathering allowed stakeholders to review current results from Demonstration Projects and discuss practical applications for natural capital guidance. As the initiative nears its final stages, discussions centered on making scientific tools accessible for decision-makers working with biodiversity and ecosystem services across Europe.
Did You Know? The 8th SELINA Workshop featured a field visit to the Vidzeme coast along the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea, giving participants direct insight into local landscapes and environmental management.
SELINA demonstration projects support evidence-based decisions
Partners shared experiences from the SELINA Demonstration Projects. These efforts provide practical examples of how ecosystem service knowledge supports evidence-based choices in diverse regional contexts.
Discussions connected these on-the-ground lessons with the broader objectives of the consortium. Participants evaluated how practical management experiences relate to the guidance documents currently under development.
Developing the Compendium of Guidance
Another major focus centered on the Compendium of Guidance. Partners examined its ongoing development and the role it will play in collecting practical recommendations generated throughout the project’s lifecycle.
These reviews aimed to ensure that project outputs remain scientifically accurate while serving external audiences who rely on actionable environmental data.
By focusing on tools like the Compendium of Guidance, the consortium aims to make its results accessible and relevant for decision-makers and stakeholders working with natural capital, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Next Steps in Brussels
The Riga meeting strengthened collaboration across the entire consortium as teams aligned their remaining tasks. The next and final project meeting is scheduled for April 2027 in Brussels, Belgium.
That upcoming gathering will give partners a final opportunity to reflect on project achievements and evaluate the long-term impact of their work on natural capital and ecosystem services.
Where the 8th SELINA Workshop took place and who organized it
Where did the 8th SELINA Workshop take place?
The four-day event was held between September 28 and October 1, 2026, at the Riga National Library in Riga, Latvia.
Who organized the Riga workshop?
The event was organized by Latvian partners Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (MoSARD) and Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF).
When and where is the final project meeting?
The final project meeting will take place in April 2027 in Brussels, Belgium.
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