News from the Project:
October 2015 - Publication of the Project, which created guidelines for sustainable event management. Title: Handbook: "Organising Environment Friendly Events", 74 pp. Authors: Antra Petersone, Maija Usca, Agita Pusvilka, Santa Krastina Publisher: Homo Ecos, Latvia The Publication is available in English, in Latvian and the summary is available in Lithanian. The Checklist is available online from HomoEcos website in Latvian, English and Lithuanian.
	(English pdf 7.5 MB)	(Latvian pdf 7.5 MB)	(Lithuanian pdf 0.7MB)
October 13, 2015 - Lauching the "Guidelines for Sustainable Event Management" in Latvian Place: Riga, Latvia More than 100 people participated on the conference where the new publication was presented in Latvian. The presentations also included experiences from Denmark (COP21, EU Presidency, NorthSide Music Festival, Lithuania (conference, island festival), Latvia (EU presidency, festivals), and climate-art actions from all over the world. Please read: Program of the Event (pdf.EN.0.1MB) Read more on the event in Latvian on HomoEcos website.
June 30-July 1, 2015 - Study Visit from Latvia to Denmark

Project Description:
Large and medium-scale events are often the most time-efficient and effective way for collaborating with, educating and informing large groups of people. At the same time, such events leave a significant environmental footprint by consuming energy and clean water, generating waste, polluting air and water, and creating greenhouse gas emissions.
Therefore, it is important that event organizers incorporate sustainability considerations into the very first planning stages of their event. Sustainability considerations lead to environmental improvements and financial advantages; creating a more positive image for the event's planners and social benefits for the local community. They can trigger secondary positive effects such as innovation in the marketplace, stimulating new product growth; and by raising awareness they can create long-term benefits for the broader community.

The created Guidelines provides a tool that helps event planners maximize the positive impact of their event and minimize the potential negative outcomes. The Guidelines add value in both the governmental, non-governmental, public and private sector.

The main aim of the project was to help reduce impact of large and medium-scale events on the environment (events with over 100 attendants, possibly spread over several days and multiple (international) locations). The project partners researched the best practices and developed a Handbook for the Guidelines for Sustainable Event Management (hereafter: Guidelines) that will help event organizers to reduce the environmental impact of their events. The project partners will disseminate and implement these Guidelines in public, private and non-profit sectors.

Project Duration: July 2014 - September-October 2015

Project Partners:
Homo Ecos: Latvia (www.homoecos.lv)
Latvian Green Movement, Latvia (www.zalie.lv)
INFORSE-Europe, Denmark (www.inforse.org/europe/)
Sustainable Development Initiatives (DVI), Lithuania (www.dvi.lt/index.php/pageid/490)

Main activities included:
- Research and review relevant best practices in sustainable event management in the Baltic and Nordic countries; integrating the relevant aspects of ISO 20121;
- Study visit to Denmark to exchange experiences and learn about Danish best practices in sustainable (large and medium-scale) event management and communication about sustainable events with various stakeholders.
- Develop and publish the Guidelines with included experience and expertise of the partners;
- Develop and publish an (online) checklist for event organizers;
- Organize a seminar for the target groups to inform stakeholders (NGOs and public sector);
- Media and communication activities in order to disseminate results of the project and to inform a broader spectrum of society.

Planned Direct Results:
- Electronic and printed Guidelines in Latvian, electronic version in English and summary in Lithuanian;
- Online checklist in English, Latvian, and Lithuanian for event organizers;
- Educating 80 to 100 representatives of the non-governmental and public sector through Guidelines training seminars, communication and dissemination of results;
- At least 10 stakeholders reached and involved in developing the Guidelines and dissemination of results.

Expected outcomes:
The Project will increase both the public and organization's awareness about the impact of large and medium-scale events such as festivals, conferences, concerts and meetings on the environment. Organizations organizing large events will be equipped with tools and knowledge to take appropriate measures to reduce the environmental impact of events.

Read more at HomoEcos web site: Project: "Development of Guidelines for Sustainable Event Management"

Project Guidelines for Sustainable Event Management No. NGSLV-206) is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia.