Established in 2001, the Daugavpils District Partnership is one of the first Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Latvia. The partnership operates in the southern part of Latvia and covers an area of 2,525 km2 with a population of 40,000 people

.Previously, co-operation for the long-term development of rural communities was implemented as a three-year programme (2000-2003) in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. The programme was financed by the International Development Department of Great Britain (DEID) and was put into practice by international consultants of ENTERPLAN International in co-operation with the state sector enterprise association of Northern Ireland (NICO). The major aim of the programme was to reduce poverty and social ostracism in the least prosperous regions of the Baltic States through promoting agricultural and regional development. New rural development policy enabled countrymen to work with the State as well as regional and local bodies in order to identify local demands and define priorities for action and strategy management.

To promote local community initiatives aimed at solving rural problems

To elaborate and implement strategies for sustainable rural development based on public involvement and participation

To develop the capacity of communities in the Daugavpils district

To create workgroups and coalitions to deal with rural development issues at local, regional, national and international levels

To co-ordinate and attract financial, material, intellectual and other resources for achieving the aim of the partnership

To develop cooperation with national and international entities, non-governmental organisations and enterprises in order to promote rural development in the district