Public awareness and dissemination actions

Leading beneficiary: Pasaules dabas fonds (Associated Partner to WWF)

Supporting beneficiaries: Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia, Latvian Fund for Nature, B-Nature (formerly known as Association “Baltic Coasts”)

The LIFE GoodWater IP objective “Public awareness and dissemination actions” aims to raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders and the general public on surface-water quality and sustainable water management. Communication, public engagement and networking are used to explain the pressures affecting Latvia’s water bodies, communicate project solutions and results, involve local communities, and exchange experience nationally and internationally. The project combines digital communication, media outreach, information campaigns, public events, exhibitions, nature-restoration activities and professional networking. 

The objective “Public awareness and dissemination actions” actions combines three main activities:

• E1 – Project visibility, dissemination of project results – project visual identity and communication strategy; website and social-media channels; information and dissemination materials; media relations; and preparation of the Layman’s Report.
• E2 – Public awareness raising and involvement – public information campaigns on surface-water management; awareness raising on decentralised wastewater systems; establishment of local networking groups; and involvement of local communities in planning and implementing water-body management activities.
• E3 – Experience exchange and networking – networking with LIFE and other projects and participation in national, regional and international thematic events to present project results and exchange experience. 

2020: Communication framework and project visibility established

Communication activities started with development of the project’s visual identity and Communication Strategy. The project logo, partner-logo line, presentation and document templates, roll-up and visual-identity guidelines were developed to ensure a consistent approach across the partnership.

The Communication Strategy was prepared in cooperation with project partners and defined the project’s target audiences, key messages, communication channels, spokespersons and principles for internal and external communication.

The bilingual LIFE GoodWater IP website was launched in June 2020 and became the main public information platform. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn channels were also established to reach different national and international audiences. 

Planning also started for public-awareness activities under E2 and networking and experience-exchange activities under E3, although implementation of some face-to-face activities was affected by COVID-19 restrictions. 

2021: Building audiences and preparing public engagement

During 2021, the project strengthened its online presence and continued regular communication about water quality, project activities and planned solutions.

By the end of 2021, the project website had recorded approximately 3,100 visits, while the LIFE GoodWater IP Facebook page had reached 369 followers. YouTube was used to publish project videos and recordings of seminars so that educational material remained publicly accessible after individual events.

At the same time, the project continued preparing information materials, public-awareness activities and networking formats that could be expanded once COVID-19 restrictions eased.

The concept of Landscape-reading was introduced. These events combine environmental education with direct exploration of landscapes, helping participants understand how natural processes and human activities have shaped rivers, lakes and their surroundings. Tours are led by guides together with biologists, hydrologists and nature-conservation experts. Short outdoor concerts are also incorporated to create a multisensory experience and attract a broader audience. The first two tours took place in 2021 in Līgatne and along the Imula River.

The first three nature restoration and education events were organised in the Mergupe River demonstration area, involving 41 participants. These events introduced the practical public-engagement approach later expanded to other project rivers. 

2022: Expansion of public communication and involvement

In 2022, communication increasingly shifted from establishing communication channels towards active public awareness raising and involvement.

The project website and social-media channels were regularly updated with information on project activities, demonstration measures and public events. New sections were developed on the website to make information about individual project activities and their implementation status easier to access. 

Public events, seminars, workshops, media communication and local engagement activities became increasingly important tools for explaining Latvia’s surface-water quality challenges and the measures being tested by LIFE GoodWater IP.

E3 activities also expanded through networking with other LIFE and non-LIFE projects and participation in thematic events, allowing project partners to exchange knowledge and experience with water-management specialists in Latvia and abroad.

In total, 6 Landscape reading tours were held, visiting Dviete, Jugla (3 tours) and Mārupīte (2 tours).

Nature restoration activities expanded into practical river-habitat improvement. A pioneering activity was implemented in a straightened section of the Mergupe River, where participants installed wooden in-stream structures. Their purpose was to diversify river flow and habitat conditions and create new spawning habitats for fish.

2023: Stronger coordination and recognition of the project

Public seminars, workshops and conferences were complemented by more participatory formats, including nature-restoration events, landscape-reading tours and exhibitions. Media, television, radio, the project website and social media were used together to reach broader audiences.

Project conferences and experience-exchange visits also strengthened cooperation among partners and supported a shared understanding of water-management challenges and possible solutions. 

A communication campaign “May clean water fill your glass” (“Lai tīri ūdeņi Tavā glāzē”) was implemented. It shed light on decentralised wastewater treatment and impacts on water bodies. It aimed to explain how improperly managed decentralised wastewater systems can affect groundwater, surface waters and drinking-water quality, while encouraging connection to centralised sewerage systems where possible. The campaign combined local seminars, targeted information materials, social media and media outreach. Seminars brought together residents, municipalities, water utilities and experts and provided locally adapted information on wastewater management and connection possibilities. The campaign included 28 social-media posts and 22 media publications. A total of 5,300 brochures were delivered directly to households, with another 2,500 provided to municipalities for distribution. 

In total, 6 Landscape reading tours were held, visiting lake Lubāns (2 locations), Pape (2 tours), Amata and Daugava. 

The first traveling exhibition, dedicated to Lake Lubāns, opened in March 2023. The travelling exhibitions bring information about water quality directly to local communities. They combine historical and contemporary photographs, visualisations and other materials to explain the ecological values, pressures and human-induced changes affecting particular water bodies. The exhibitions are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and travel between community centres, libraries, tourism centres and public spaces.

8 nature restoration events took place in 2023. Local involvement increased, including participation by local activists, businesses and nature enthusiasts.

2024: Major public-awareness campaign and stronger local engagement

In 2024, the campaign “Take care of your river” (“Turi rūpi par savu upi”) combined media communication and outdoor advertising to draw attention to surface-water quality and individual responsibility for protecting water resources. The campaign generated 28 media publications and was estimated to have reached at least 250,000 people. 

Public involvement continued through landscape-reading tours, travelling exhibitions, nature-restoration activities and educational events. Work with local communities and NGOs under E2.3 supported local networking around sustainable water-body management.

In total, 3 Landscape reading tours were held, exploring Randu meadows, lake Engure and Torņakalns. The Lake Pape traveling exhibition opened in June 2024. 

International communication and experience exchange also continued through conferences, workshops, study visits and cooperation with other LIFE and non-LIFE projects.

2025: Targeted campaigns, dissemination of results and international networking

In 2025, communication increasingly focused on specific target groups and dissemination of the results generated during the previous project years.

A new campaign, “Clean waters – for nature and for crops” (“Tīri ūdeņi – dabai un ražai”), was launched specifically for farmers. It promoted environmentally friendly drainage solutions and included seven planned short videos together with traditional-media outreach. 

Awareness raising on decentralised wastewater systems was completed through seminars in 10 cities, attended by 267 participants, while 5,300 information booklets were distributed. 

Public engagement also included:

• six landscape-reading tours, with approximately 43 participants per event on average;
• three travelling exhibitions completed by the end of 2025 – at Lake Lubāns, Lake Pape and the Auce River;
• estimated exhibition audiences of approximately 9,300 visitors at Lake Lubāns, 9,700 at Lake Pape and 1,750 at the Auce River;
• 16 nature-restoration and educational activities involving 395 active participants. 

Digital communication also exceeded several original targets. By the end of 2025, the project website had reached 10,765 users, exceeding the overall target of 10,000. Facebook had 1,160 followers and Instagram 585 followers, both exceeding their respective targets of 500. YouTube had accumulated 4,846 views, while a new LinkedIn page established in 2025 reached 136 followers and strengthened communication with international professional audiences.

Three Landscape reading tours were held in Tora demonstration territory, a boat-tour on Roja river and one tour in Viesata.

The third traveling exhibition, dedicated to the Auce River, opened at Bēne Manor in July 2025.

During 2024–2025, 16 nature restoration events with 395 participants were held at Mergupe, Aģe, Auce, Slocene and Zaņa, as well as community-proposed sites at Zaube, Vējupīte and Vēršupīte. 

Under E3, the project continued national and international knowledge exchange. Cumulatively, LIFE GoodWater IP reported networking with 24 projects, five study visits, participation in 50 national and international events, two international conferences and one Baltic–Nordic workshop. 

In December 2025, LIFE GoodWater IP also received the “Most Nationally Significant LIFE Project” award at LIFE Award 2025, further strengthening the visibility of the project and its results. 

Results achieved by the end of 2025:

By the end of 2025, the main achievements under “Public awareness and dissemination actions” included:

• Communication Strategy and visual identity developed and implemented across the project partnership. Bilingual project website established as the central information hub, reaching 10,765 users and exceeding the original target of 10,000 (by January 2026).
• Social-media accounts created. In February 2026, the LIFE GoodWater IP name was switched to “Latvijas ūdeņi – tīri un brīvi!” as the social networks welcomed the project LIFE RiverFlow to join. 
• Three major public-awareness campaigns implemented: “Lai tīri ūdeņi Tavā glāzē” about decetralized wasterwaters, “Turi rūpi par savu upi” for the general public and “Tīri ūdeņi – dabai un ražai” for farmers.
• Local public involvement strengthened through landscape-reading tours, travelling exhibitions, nature-restoration activities, educational events and cooperation with local communities and NGOs. 
• 3 travelling exhibitions have been delivered by the end of 2025 at Lake Lubāns, Lake Pape and the Auce River.
• 20 landscape reading tours reaching 886 visitors were carried out.
• 29 nature restoration events reaching 707 participants were organised. 
• International and national experience exchange expanded, with networking involving 24 projects, five study visits and participation in 50 national and international events.
• Two international conferences and one Baltic–Nordic workshop organised, supporting exchange of project experience and water-management knowledge.