Rail Baltica is a railway infrastructure megaproject that spans across several countries. The depth of skills and expertise required to successfully execute a greenfield project of this caliber is extensive and would not be possible without our diverse team of professionals.
Welcome back to our series, “Rail Baltica: The People Behind the Vision,” where we introduce you to the members of the Rail Baltica global project team. These individuals are the driving force advancing the Rail Baltica project with their professionalism, dedication, and passion for this project.
Ojārs Daugavietis, the Head of the Global Project Finance Department at RB Rail AS.
Ojārs leads the Global Project Finance Department at RB Rail AS, the central coordinator for Rail Baltica. This department ensures day-to-day operations outlined in grant agreements. It acts as a bridge between the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), which manages EU funding for projects like Rail Baltica, and national implementing bodies and beneficiaries (responsible Baltic ministries). It ensures compliance with grant regulations and on securing funding for Rail Baltica by submitting project proposals. The department emphasizes systematic cost control to minimize risks and promote transparent financial management. Moreover, it oversees financial reporting and auditing to maintain integrity and accountability in project execution.
When did you join the Rail Baltica project and what inspired you to become a part of the team?
I signed my employment agreement in May 2017 and have been part of the project for almost seven years – time flies very fast. At the time, I was working at the Ministry of Finance of Latvia. I was not very inclined to change workplaces, as the dynamics of auditing EU infrastructure projects and dealing with the protection of EU financial interests were quite challenging and interesting; I enjoyed the work.
However, I somehow sold to myself that working to deliver the project of the century would be much more satisfactory and would add more value to Baltic society and my kids. So, I took the challenge and became part of a very small company (at that time) with a huge ambition to deliver one of the EU megaprojects.
How has your role evolved since you first joined the Rail Baltica project, and what have you learned along the way?
When I joined the company, I believe there were no more than 15 people working on project coordination (at the RB Rail level) and delivery across the Baltics. It was, and still is, a challenging workplace that demands tackling a wide variety of topics under quite demanding terms, sometimes in a veil of uncertainty. For a while, we called ourselves a ‘startup’ that was growing fast, and processes were under development with daily updates.
Nowadays, we have lost some of the uncertainty we had, as well as some freedom in deciding how we will act today. However, certainty is, in fact, essential to delivering this project. Today, I am more than happy to find answers to questions or uncertainties documented in one procedure or another.
What does the Rail Baltica project mean to you?
For me this project holds a significance beyond the ordinary workplace. What it is I am not entirely sure, it likely embodies the belief that my family and I will be connected by rail within the Baltics and the EU. Moreover, I retain a steadfast conviction that the Baltics can be unified in pursuing collective goals – essentially, I maintain faith in the project.
What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of this mega project?
Regarding the currently accessible financing, the foremost challenge lies in harmonizing procedures and processes to guarantee transparent project expenditures aligned with investment objectives, delivery deadlines, and grant requirements. Amidst these considerations, it remains imperative to uphold stringent corporate governance standards and maintain the highest level of financial management, all while bearing in mind the responsible utilization of public funds.
What specific contribution or skill do you believe you bring to the Rail Baltica project team that sets you apart from others?
I find that I am not fundamentally different from other team members. In fact, during a corporate training event, our tutor remarked that every member of the RB Rail team exhibits high motivation, a results-oriented mindset, and inherent leadership qualities. Given this, it is crucial to further emphasize collaboration and unified effort towards achieving our shared goal – the successful delivery of the project.
However, at times, I perceive my thought process as reflecting the broader perspective of the EU’s core stakeholders rather than solely that of individual states or project implementers within the team. Essentially, I believe that my team and I tend to approach discussions and decision-making with an unbiased mindset, prioritizing the holistic delivery of the project over individual stakeholder interests. We are prepared to set aside personal ambitions and plans in favor of advancing the collective goals of the Global Project.
What hobbies, interests, talents do you have?
As a team, we actively listen to input from every part of Rail Baltica Global Project and each team member, guiding discussions towards sound financial management decisions. We strive to cultivate a culture that prioritizes quality and efficient implementation of activities/tasks outlined in the financing agreements we have signed on behalf of project beneficiaries and implementing bodies/affiliated entities.
I am very much into various outdoor sports, with winter activities such as cross-country skiing, ice hockey, and mountain skiing leading my choices. Additionally, I enjoy trekking, running, and cycling. In fact, one of the recent challenges I undertook, together with a colleague from RB Rail, was a cycling event covering 330 km in 36 hours. During the ride, I faced the challenge of getting lost and being unable to read the map after 18 hours, but ultimately managed to end the race after 23:56 hours and cycled 349 km.
Moreover, I have a deep love for mountains, which we do not have in Latvia or Baltics, and I am thinking to resume the climbing (rock, mixed, ice) activities which I enjoyed a lot when more time was at my disposal.