For exploring and discovering the main knowledge, experience and practices, four main issues were analyzed: what were the goals of the involved participants regarding the community involvement in the spatial and community planning; what methods were used to extend the involvement of community members; what problems and obstacles did the project participants face, and what were the main lessons learned. This study provides reflections (analysis, comparison and evaluation) on community involvement in participatory process in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea Region by investigating the methods, which were used in community involvement in project participating countries; and its influence in improving local governance of the local territory development.

Increase of energy efficiency is Latvia’s national priority and policy instrument that allows reducing consumption of energy and costs, increasing the safety level of energy supply and reducing dependence on import. One of the trends for reducing energy consumption is to increase energy performance of buildings. In compliance with the EU and Latvian political statements, it is required to promote renovation of residential and non-residential buildings. Studies regarding energy performance aspects in the sector of non-residential buildings in Latvia are comparatively rare; however, non-residential buildings form a considerable part of the building stock, and the increase of their energy performance can bring a significant contribution in achieving the national targets. The research analyses the sector of non-residential buildings, their characteristic statistical data, energy consumption and requirements of energy performance standards. To characterise this sector more comprehensively, information on energy performance certificates of buildings issued during the period from 2016 to 2021 has been evaluated, allowing to make general conclusions on the energy performance level of different non-residential buildings and provide proposals for trends to increase their energy efficiency.

-The aim of the study was to explore the effect of audio-visual biofeedback on patients' ability to control their own muscle tension, relaxing them. The upper trapezius muscle, which is located on the back of the neck and shoulder part being one of the most tensed human muscles, was studied.The study included 18 volunteers, each had 2-3 relaxation trainings using 4 different biological feedback methods and recording of physiological parameters and patients' subjective opinion. The obtained measurements were examined to determine the relaxation characteristics of different types of feedback.As a result, it was concluded that the audio-visual biofeedback was recommended to use for muscle relaxation purposes.

In order to identify the necessary competences and develop the study course programme, within the framework of the EUKI (The European Climate Initiative; Die Europäische Klimaschutzinitiative) project “From Housing Manager to CLImate Manager”, research [1] has been conducted, describing the Latvian residential fund, analysing the principles and activities of multi-apartment residential buildings, as well as identifying and describing the parties involved in shaping the housing policy. Special attention is paid to energy efficiency issues for buildings – looking at Latvia’s potential for climate changes, analysing energy consumption in buildings in relation to energy efficiency requirements, as well as assessing the medium and long-term objectives of buildings in Latvia and the obstacles to achieving them. In order to clarify more precisely the necessary competences of housing managers for the successful implementation of the residential renovation process, a survey has been carried out for stakeholders in the project. Based on an analysis of the situation and the performed survey results, a methodology has been developed to increase the competences of housing managers in relation to the renovation of residential buildings in order to mitigate climate change.

Utilisation of renewable energy sources is one of the key factors in a search for efficient ways of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and improving the energy supply security. So far, the district heating supply in Latvia has been based on natural gas, with the wood fuel playing a minor role; the same is true for decentralised combined heat-power (CHP) production. The paper describes a method for evaluation of the economic feasibility of heat and electricity production from wood biomass under the competition between different fuel types and taking into account the electricity market. For the simulation, a cost estimation model is applied. The results demonstrate that wood biomass can successfully be utilised for competitive heat production by boiler houses, while for electricity production by CHP utilities it cannot compete on the market (even despite the low prices on wood biomass fuel) unless particular financial support instruments are applied. The authors evaluate the necessary support level and the impact of two main support instruments -the investment subsidies and the feed-in tariff -on the economic viability of wood-fuelled CHP plants, and show that the feed-in tariff could be considered as an instrument strongly affecting the competitiveness of such type CHP. Regarding the feed-in tariff determination, a compromise should be found between the economy-dictated requirement to develop CHP projects concerning capacities above 5 MW el − on the one hand, and the relatively small heat loads in many Latvian towns − on the other.