Nutriloopworks

The second day in Tõravere felt like taking a step back, but in the best possible way.

We met at the Tartu observatoorium to look closely at what we’ve done so far, reflect on the first pilot installations, and ask some honest questions about what’s working and what could be done better. Those conversations, especially with our steering group, were open and practical. Not just ideas, but real experiences and real lessons.

A big part of the discussion focused on the recovery side of the pilot - how the nutrients we remove can be returned to use in municipal green spaces, closing the loop in a way that people can actually see and benefit from. 🔄💧🌱

We also spent time on the remote monitoring tool. It may not be the most visible part of the project (yet!), but it’s one of the most important, helping us track water quality and make better decisions over time. 📡💧📊

The agenda reflected just how much ground we’re covering: from progress on nutrient recovery pilot development and ecosystem services in water bodies, to stakeholder insights, monitoring templates and KPIs, and the practical development of the remote monitoring tool.

We also discussed communication and uptake activities, and explored related research - including Lake Põrmujärv from BioFloat and cross-border groundwater protection solutions from HydroScope - fellow Estonia-Latvia Programme projects. It is a reminder that we’re part of a much bigger effort working toward healthier water systems.

Different organisations, different perspectives, but a shared understanding of why this matters. And plenty of ideas to take forward as we continue shaping .


📸 Inga Retike


Thank you to our Steering Committee ⭐
Agrihorts | RTU - Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte | Eesti Maaülikool/Estonian University of Life Sciences | Biedrība Baltijas Krasti | Limbažu Novads | Kastre vald | Cēsis. Cēsu novads
& Estonia-Latvia Programme

This was one of those moments that reminds you why this work matters.

We’ve officially launched our first two project prototypes into the water at Lake Võnnu in Kastre vald. This is a milestone made possible by more than a year long collaboration of dedicated project partners, steering group members, and local stakeholders who also joined us on-site to see it come to life.

What makes this especially exciting is that these aren’t just technical solutions, they’re designed with purpose and care for the environment. The major challenge was to make the prototypes not only effective for phosphorus removal, but also attractive and easier to maintain.

💧🫧 One prototype combines a submersible phosphorus-absorbing filter cartridge with an aerator,
🦆 🏠 While the other introduces a floating structure that doubles as a birdhouse. It’s a small but meaningful step toward blending water treatment with ecological value.

📌 Follow for more! This is what Nutriloopworks is all about: bringing together seven organizations from Latvia and Estonia across borders to rethink how municipalities manage nutrients. From nutrient removal to reuse as fertilizer in local urban green spaces, while also building smarter ways to monitor water quality.

Seeing the first systems in the water makes it real. And this is just the beginning.


📸 Inga Retike


Estonia-Latvia Programme | Zinātne Latvijai - Research Latvia


LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte | LBTU Meža un vides zinātņu fakultāte | LU Medicīnas un dzīvības zinātņu fakultāte | Latvijas Universitāte | Tartu observatoorium | Biedrība Baltijas Krasti | Kastre vald | Cēsis. Cēsu novads | Limbažu Novads | Limbažu novada publisko ūdeņu apsaimniekošanas nodaļa "Alda" | Ekostandarts Tehnoloģijas |

This week we joined the Izstade Pavasaris exhibition at Rāmava Biznesa centrs, where agriculture, innovation and rural development meet in one place. 💡🚜🪴

At the Zemkopības ministrija / Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia joint stand, the conversations focused on smart decisions for stronger rural areas - from practical solutions to new ideas shaping the future of the countryside.

It was a great chance to connect, exchange experiences and see how different initiatives, including our 🌱 Nutriloopworks project, are contributing to more resilient rural communities.

📸 Sharing a few moments from the event below! Photos by Annija Emersone.

This year, in celebration of , we came together with almost 100 young minds at LBTU Meža un vides zinātņu fakultāte for a special event - “Water is the Key” 🔑💧

From discussions on spring waters and the increasing risks of droughts and floods in Latvia, to an interactive water quest with 5 hands-on challenge stations , the day was full of learning and curiosity. It was especially inspiring to see young minds actively engaging, asking questions and generating solutions.

Because understanding water is the first step to protect it. 🌍💙


📸 Daiga Kazanovska


Zinātne Latvijai - Research Latvia

💧 Where water flows, equality grows.💧

This , we celebrate the power of water to connect communities, drive innovation and create more equal opportunities for all us.

Aligned with this year’s theme - Water and Gender - we highlight that inclusive water management is essential. Women, men, girls and boys, everyone - play vital roles in protecting and restoring our water bodies.

In our project, we are working to improve the quality of water bodies through circular solutions, turning waste into resources, reducing pollution and creating ecosystems that benefit both people and nature.

Today, we proudly highlight our Water Heroes - especially the inspiring women driving innovation and change. 🎥 In this video, you’ll meet our project leader Ph. D. Rūta Ozola-Davidāne from LBTU Meža un vides zinātņu fakultāte.

https://youtu.be/rKsn3bLnBs8?si=LJmg2-d4dbUCJ-ur

#ZinātneLatvijai2025/Rūta Ozola-Davidāne Ph. D. Rūta Ozola-Davidāne  | Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitātes Meža un vides zinātņu fakultātes asociētā tenūrprofesore Kopš 2024. gada ruden...

📢 Our first newsletter is out!

The very first edition of the NutriLoopWorks project newsletter brings together what we have been working on since the start of the project up to the end of winter (February 2026).

Inside the newsletter you will find:
🏡 stories from our pilot municipalities — Kastre, Cēsis and Limbaži.
🔎 first monitoring results from lakes and ponds studied in 2025.
🗣 insights from local stakeholders and experts.
🌷 how the project plans to remove excess nutrients and reuse them in municipal green spaces.

Read the newsletter here:
🇬🇧 ENG: https://bit.ly/NutriLoopWorks-News1
🇪🇪 EE: https://bit.ly/NutriLoopWorks-Uudiskiri1
🇱🇻 LV: https://bit.ly/NutriLoopWorks-Zinas1


Estonia-Latvia Programme | Interreg Eesti | Interreg Latvija | Zinātne Latvijai - Research Latvia



LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte | LBTU Meža un vides zinātņu fakultāte | Tartu observatoorium | Biedrība Baltijas Krasti | LU Medicīnas un dzīvības zinātņu fakultāte | Latvijas Universitāte | Cēsis. Cēsu novads | Limbažu novada publisko ūdeņu apsaimniekošanas nodaļa "Alda" | Visit Limbaži |Kastre vald

At Latvia’s largest study festival “Universs@LU” at the Latvijas Universitāte, the project invited young minds to discover the fascinating world of nutrient cycle!

Through the interactive “Pollution Hunters” game, future students explored how nutrients move through our environment and what happens when the cycle is disrupted. 🕵️‍♀️🌍

Even more, we challenged to think deeper: What skills should a real nutrient hunter (scientist) have? And which study programs should one choose? 💡✨


📸 Inga Retike, Jānis Saliņš

We’re thrilled to share that has just won the “Research of the Year” award at the LBTU Studējošo pašpārvalde Annual Award 2025! 🏆✨

Project was recognized for its meaningful contribution to sustainability, research excellence and community engagement 🌍💧🌱

A huge thank you to everyone involved — partners, colleagues, and supporters! This is the exact motivation we need to continue our work 🙌

Read more [in LV]: https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-02-18/lbtu-studejoso-pasparvalde-sumina-gada-balvas-2025-laureatus


Estonia-Latvia Programme | Interreg Latvija

🎉 LBTU Studējošo pašpārvaldes “Gada balva 2025” ceremonijā sumināti 13 nomināciju laureāti – cilvēki un komandas, kas ar savu darbu un iniciatīvu veido mūsu universitātes vidi stiprāku un studentiem iedvesmojošu.

✨ Sveicam visu nomināciju laureātus:
🔹 Nominācijā "Mūža ieguldījums" Ina Antonova
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada sportists" Kristaps Vārna
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada jaunais mācībspēks" Uģis Ūzulnieks
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada darbinieks" Ināra Burkevita-Brāķere
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada students" Ģirts Balodis
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada pasākums" b***e "Meža vakars"
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada kolektīvs / komanda" Studentu biedrība "Šalkone"
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada duo" Patrīcija Junkere un Eva Pokule
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada varonis aizkulisēs" Linda Priede
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada fakultāte" Meža un vides zinātņu fakultāte (MVZF).
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada stāsts" Fakultāšu dienu b***e
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada pētījums" Nutriloopworks
🔹 Nominācijā "Gada atbalstītājs" "Red Bull"

🔗 Uzzini vairāk: https://ej.uz/ydur

Today we celebrate the brilliant, curious, and unstoppable women in science — and we’re proud that is powered by an inspiring team made mostly of them! 👩‍🔬💡

From shaping innovative prototypes...
..to digging into real fieldwork…
…and turning ideas into action — these women are proving every day that science isn’t just a career — it’s a force for positive change. 📊🔧🌱

Whether we’re deep in data, out in the field, or brainstorming the next big idea, our woman led team brings passion, smarts, and teamwork to everything we do. Today we honor all women in science who make the world better — especially the ones right here in our project. 💛👩‍🔬


📸 Inga Retike, Lauma Dūmiņa, Gatis Rozenfelds


Estonia-Latvia Programme | Interreg Eesti | Interreg Latvija

How does water quality affect our everyday lives? Sometimes it only takes one good question to spark real interest. During a Blue Flag environmental education lesson at Limbaži Secondary School, students talked about water they use every day - where it comes from, where it goes, and why keeping it clean matters.

🌱 The lesson also highlighted , showing how innovative nutrient recovery solutions and digital monitoring tools can help improve water quality and support circular use of resources. The session inspired young minds to think about how their actions influence local water ecosystems.

Zilo karogu vides izglītības nodarbība Limbažu vidusskolā 💙

Šodien Limbažu vidusskolas 4.b klases skolēni piedalījās aizraujošā Zilo karogu vides izglītības nodarbībā, kuru vadīja lektore Loreta Urtāne. Kopā ar hidrobiologu skolēni izzināja ūdens nozīmi dabā, ūdens kvalitātes jautājumus un dažādas ūdeņu izpētes metodes.

💧 Nodarbības laikā bērni iepazinās ar ūdens ekosistēmām, diskutēja par pilsētas notekūdeņu ietekmi un uzzināja par galvenajiem piesārņojuma avotiem, kā arī to sekām. Tika uzsvērts, cik svarīga ir ikdienas atbildīga rīcība vides aizsardzībā.

🌱 Īpaša uzmanība tika veltīta EST–LAT programmas projektam NutriLoopWorks, kura mērķis ir uzlabot ūdens kvalitāti un veicināt barības vielu atgūšanu. Projektā tiek izstrādātas inovatīvas sistēmas barības vielu saistīšanai no virszemes ūdeņiem, lai nākotnē tās izmantotu kā mēslojumu pašvaldību zaļajās zonās, kā arī veidots digitāls rīks ūdens piesārņojuma monitorēšanai.

✨ Nodarbība veicināja skolēnu izpratni par dabas procesiem, ilgtspējīgu domāšanu un atbildīgu attieksmi pret ūdens resursiem, stiprinot saikni starp teoriju un reālo vidi.

Nutriloopworks | Limbažu Novads | Vides izglītības fonds (FEE Latvia) | Limbažu vidusskola

From welcoming high-level decision-makers to working side by side with local communities, 2025 was a year of action, collaboration, and impact.

🌍 We strengthened cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia
💧 We installed 3 filter prototypes in Cēsis. Cēsu novads, Visit Limbaži and Kastre vald waterbodies
🤝 We engaged stakeholders, shared knowledge, and organized many events
📊 And we reached thousands through our online channels

Thank you to all partners, stakeholders, and communities who were part of this journey. In 2026, we move from testing to results, with final filter systems in place and phosphorus levels reduced in our shared water bodies.


LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte | LBTU Meža un vides zinātņu fakultāte | LU Medicīnas un dzīvības zinātņu fakultāte | Tartu observatoorium | Cēsis. Cēsu novads | Visit Limbaži | Kastre vald | Biedrība Baltijas Krasti


Estonia-Latvia Programme | Interreg Eesti | Interreg Latvija

🎉 Are you ready to celebrate and finally switch your phone to “Out of Office”? 📵
The only way to find out is by playing our Holiday Bingo! 🎄🎯

From postponed emails to questionable sweater choices - it all counts 😉
So, how many boxes have you already checked off?

Let the holiday mode begin! ❄️✨



Estonia-Latvia Programme