On Tuesday, September 22, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the implementation of three projects to improve digital solutions for law enforcement agencies, forensic examination processes, and the ICT infrastructure of the Ministry of the Interior. Total project funding amounts to €12.7 million. The projects will be implemented by the Digital Centre of the Ministry of the Interior under the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021–2027.
The project "E-KRASS Phase 2 and Development of Digital Solutions for Ensuring Public Order and Safety" aims to modernize and develop the digital infrastructure of security and law enforcement institutions, as well as enhance the E-case environment.
Four solutions are planned to be integrated into the unified platform of the Digital Centre of the Ministry of the Interior: the Criminal Proceedings Information System (E-KRASS), the Register of Arms, the Register of Penalties, and Accounting Categories. This will ensure more efficient data flow and information utilization, as well as promote inter-institutional cooperation.
The electronic working environment for procedural officers will be improved, and the exchange of criminal case materials between the State Police, the Prosecution Office of the Republic of Latvia, and the courts will be automated and digitized, reducing paper document flow. Additionally, public services for citizens and businesses will be digitized and made available online, including the issuance of firearm permits and licenses and obtaining certificates from the Register of Penalties.
€10 million has been allocated for the implementation of this project, including €8.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and €1.5 million from the national budget.
The introduction of digital solutions is expected to reduce the administrative burden and processing time for citizens, businesses, and officials alike by minimizing the need for in-person visits and paper document circulation. It is planned to integrate at least 40 arms dealers, 177 medical institutions, and 58 legal entities, including security firms and sports organizations.
Project partners include the Court Administration, the Prison Administration, the State Probation Service, the Prosecution Office of the Republic of Latvia, and the State Police.
€900,000 has been allocated for the implementation of the project "Development of the Forensic Department Laboratory Information System (ELIS), Phase 2," including €765,000 from ERDF funding and €135,000 from the national budget.
The project aims to develop and expand the functionality of the Forensic Department Laboratory Information System (ELIS), providing centralized, standardized, and digital management of forensic examination processes among participating forensic institutions.
Full integration of ELIS with the E-case platform will be ensured, thereby improving and accelerating the flow of information and data in criminal, administrative, and civil proceedings. This will support the establishment of a unified forensic institution and create a single inter-agency forensic ICT architecture.
Project partners include the Forensic Bureau of the Main Criminal Police Department of the State Police, the Court Administration, the Prosecution Office of the Republic of Latvia, the State Centre for Forensic Medical Examination, the Forensic Service of the State Border Guard, and the National Centre for Mental Health.
The project "Improvement of Information Technology Infrastructure" aims to expand and modernize the data center infrastructure maintained by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior to provide the necessary ICT infrastructure for hosting and operating the information systems being developed. Under the project, data center storage, computing infrastructure, and resource management software will be modernized.
The expanded infrastructure will be required to ensure the operation of E-KRASS Phase 2, ELIS, the Identity Document Information System, the Register of Arms, the Register of Penalties, and the Accounting Categories system. Concurrently, outdated and unsupported infrastructure elements will be replaced, enhancing data center availability, performance, and capacity.
The total cost of the project is €1.8 million, including €1.53 million from ERDF funding and €270,000 from the national budget.
All three projects will be implemented under Measure 1.3.1.1 "Development of ICT Solutions and Services and Creation of Opportunities for the Private Sector" of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021–2027. Completion of the projects is planned by the end of 2029.
