Latvian-Swiss Cooperation: School Children Transportation & Fire Safety Support

1. Individual projects implemented in Latvian- Swiss cooperation programme by State Regional Development Agency Solvita Zvidrina Director of State Regional Development Agency 20.05.2014

2. Content • Individual project “Implementation of local governments activities by ensuring the transportation of school children and related support measures” • Individual project “Support for fire safety measures in local government general education institutions”

3. Individual project “Implementation of local governments activities by ensuring the transportation of school children and related support measures” Implementation period: 12.08.2009 - 30.06.2011 Total project costs:20 885 355 CHF

4. About the project 110 school buses for 59 local governments have been purchased in the period of 2010 - 2011 SRDA ensures the supervision of the project result sustainability by: - checking the overviews from the local governments about the bus exploitation status, - conducting on spot check in local governments According to the contract of project implementation, SRDA has to monitor the exploitation of buses 6 years after the project completion (until year 2016)

5. Monitoring the exploitation of buses I Project objective - to provide transportation of school children The regular transfer routes for school children are increasing: 2013 - 228 school bus routes 2012 – 224 school bus routes 2011 – 204 school bus routes Average amount of daily transported school children: 2013 - 6819 school children 2012 – 7262 school children 2011 – 6755 school children

6. Monitoring the exploitation of buses II The intensity of buses exploitation increases: The total kilometrage in year 2013 was 3 296 386 km, which is 4,2% more than in 2012 The total kilometrage in year 2012 was 3 158 628 km, which was 12,1% more than in 2011 The total kilometrage in year 2011 was 2 775 447 km The increase in kilometrage in year 2013 compared to 2011 is 15,8%

7. Monitoring the exploitation of buses III Daily average kilometrage are increasing for all buses: For the bus Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: 2013 - 177 km 2012 - 167 km 2011 - 142 km For the bus Mercedes- Benz Intouro: 2013 – 165 km 2012 – 160 km 2011 - 145 km For the bus BMC Probus: 2013 – 204 km 2012 – 148 km 2011 - 130 km

8. Monitoring the exploitation of buses IV In the overviews local governments have indicated information about the technical problems:

9. Monitoring the exploitation of buses V Local governments have mentioned damages of various types in the exploitation overviews, e.g.: • brake system repairs, • tire change because of the wear level, • the fuel supply component repairs, • battery change, • gearbox repairs In cases of technical emergencies, local governments have substituted buses, to ensure the transportation of school children.

10. Monitoring the exploitation of buses VI According to the agreements the guarantee period for the buses is valid for a period of 2 years after the delivery of the buses or until the kilometrage exceeds 410 000 km The guarantee period for the buses ended at the beginning of year 2013 Since then all investments (for the spare parts and repair jobs) have to be paid by the local governments There is a gradual increase of overall exploitation costs: In 2013 costs amounted 1 444 643 EUR, which was a 9,1% more than in 2012 In 2012 costs amounted 1 312 807 EUR, which was a 19,3% more than in 2011 In 2011 costs amounted 1 058 859 EUR .

11. Monitoring the exploitation of buses VII Exploitation costs in 2013 by the expense categories (%)

12. Monitoring the exploitation of buses VIII SRDA has on spot check in 27 local governments about exploitation of 40 buses in the period 2011-2013. After the inspections it has been concluded that buses are used for the intended aim – transportation of school children. Commercial transfers are not conducted. Local governments ensure the transportation forschool children in routes where public transportation is not available. Technical condition of buses are impacted, mainly, by: • The increase in exploitation • Condition of roads Some local governments have expressed that the amount of buses for transportation school children is still not sufficient.

13. Further activities In accordance with the recommendations from 2013 Swiss Confederation Federal Department of foreign affairs audit report, SRDA has planned to increase the amount of on spot check in year 2014. TheState Regional Development Agency plans to: • on spot check in 16 local governments in 2014 • on spot check at least in 20 local governments in 2015

14. Individual project “Support for fire safety measures in localgovernment general educationinstitutions” Implementation period:01.02. 2012– 28.02. 2015 Total project costs: 2 799 682 CHF

15. About the project Overall objective of the project is to improve children safety in case of fire incidents in general education institutions in peripheral and disadvantaged regions of Latvia. Purpose of the project is to increase safety of pre-school and school children by ensuring their safety in local government general education institutions where children stay in the overnight accommodation. Project partners- 59 local governments in peripheral and disadvantaged regions of Latvia Main activity- acquisition of fire safety systems in 118general educational institutions

16. Implemented activities I Amendments in the project were made by decreasing the number of project partners and education institutions because: - Durbes local government decided to close the educational institution • Burtnieku local government the renovation of education institution including installation of fire safety system is planned within another project. Fire safety systems installation works are successfully finished from July 2013 until March 2014 in 116 generaleducational institutions in 57 local governments.

17. Implemented activities II Various components are set up in educational institutions where children stay in the overnight accommodation: - Automatic fire detection and alarm signalisation system • Automatic voice fire alarm system • Illuminated exit and fire escape direction signs

18. Implemented activities III Competition for school children was held for 2 target groups from January till May 2013 : • “Little Lord of the Fire”: creative work contest for pre-school and primary school children (age group 5 to 8 years) • “Lord of the Fire”: theoretical and practical knowledge contest for all general education institutions 7th and 8th grade pupils

19. Implemented activities IV “Little Lord of the Fire” • competition just for pre-school and primary school children • 36 applications received • all creative works were rewarded with diplomas and Swiss sweets • all creative works have been exhibited in the Firefighting Museum, Riga

20. Implemented activities V “Lord of the Fire” • competition for all school children • participants formed a teams of 6 people • competition was organized in 2 parts: I Partwas held on the website on social network draugiem.lv/ugunspavelnieks - Online application: 224 applications were received - Online theoretical test - Creative work and voting on the website II Partparticipants were tested in a variety of tasks demonstrating their theoretical and practical knowledge • 5 regional competitions in Riga, Valmiera, Liepāja, Daugavpils and Jelgava, where 5 most point winning teams of each region participated • final in Riga with each regional winning team

21. Implemented activities VI “Lord of the Fire” • 1,344 school childrens participated in all competition parts together • publicity: • 46 publications in the media and on the Internet • 60 radio advertising playbacks • hour-long competition final TV broadcast on Latvian TV • specifically designed website on social networks draugiem.lv with 23 000 followers

22. Implemented activities VII In August 2013 thewinners - school children team from Salacgrīvavisited Switzerland, the fire training center and met with the Swiss school children to exchange with cultural and educational experiences.

23. Implemented activities VIII On 19 September 2013 Swiss competent authorities approved new sub activity “WEB game for children about fire safety issues”. On May 2014 SRDA initiated amendments in fire safety project for prolongation of project implementation period until 28 February 2015in order to complete project activities and to perform additional post-completion visits for Fire safety and for School busses project. WEB game will be developed to educate children in the age group of 6 -15 about fire safety issues. The game simulates a variety of life situations and teach them proper behavior. The game will be integrated in internet and social network to reach the target audience.

24. Implemented activities IX Procurement of WEB games development is in two stages 1. Meta competition • ended in April 2014 with 9 applications received • the assessment of the applications have been done and the final decision is made in May 14, 2014 • companies ranking in the top 3 places will receive money prizes (1st- 5000 EUR, 2nd- 3000 and 3rd- 1500 EUR) 2. Negotiated procedure • Negotiations with the 1st and the 2nd place is conducted • Contract for the development of the game with the winner of the negotiations will be signed • Development of the game in a period of 7 months since the signing of contract will be provided

25. Activities - Cooperation with a project partner: Institution of Fire Safety and Prevention of Natural Disasters of the Canton of Vaud • The Steering committee meeting to discuss the project implementation process and cooperation by Swiss partners • Final project seminar about the project achievements and results to the local governments and educational institutions • External audit

26. Thank you!