In order to understand how the SDGs are mainstreamed into Latvian policy, the Cross Sectoral Coordination Centre, in cooperation with experts from line ministries, mapped the respective policy documents, policy outcomes and their performance indicators at the level of the 169 SDG targets. The mapping exercise reveals the place of SDG goals and targets in the Latvian policy hierarchy and provides insight into policy coherence and coverage. The relevance of the SDG targets to policy was also evaluated.

In 2017, the Cross Sectoral Coordination Centre conducted an assessment of progress and challenges in achieving Latvia’s development goals reflected in the NDP2020 as a reference for future development planning. As a part of the assessment, a survey of opinion leaders was conducted to determine their views on the relevance of the NDP2020 goals and their progress. This was followed by analysis of statistical and secondary data on the implementation of NDP2020 and Latvia 2030, including the progress towards reaching performance indicator values. Civil servants, Members of Parliament, ministers, government social and cooperation partners, businessmen, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of planning regions, and heads of local governments, journalists, researchers and academics participated in this survey.

An investment analysis was done to see how much money was spent from the national budget, EU funds, as well as local government budgets to achieve progress. Conclusions were drawn on the progress and the perception of progress (often there is a difference between perception and data-reflected trends) at the level of the 12 areas of direction covered by the National Development Plan. Recommendations were made for future action. Before the impact assessment was approved by the Cabinet and Parliament, the conclusions and recommendations were discussed at a national conference.

This also has fed into work done on the NDP2027.