From 25 to 29 May, the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) will host the international study programme “Sustainable Outdoor Events: Waste Around and Within Us”, dedicated to sustainable outdoor event organisation and the development of environmentally friendly solutions in the cultural and festival sector. The programme is organised by the Latvian Academy of Culture in cooperation with the festival “Laba Daba” and SIA “Getliņi EKO”.
The programme is implemented within the framework of the European University Alliance ACE²-EU in cooperation with Lietuvos inžinerijos kolegija (Lithuanian Engineering College) and the Medical University of Gdańsk, bringing together students, representatives of academia, and industry experts from different countries. Throughout the week, participants will analyse sustainability challenges in the cultural and event sector while exploring practical and interdisciplinary solutions for creating more environmentally friendly and socially responsible events.
The programme will address topics related to environmental sustainability, public health, and audience experience. Lectures and practical sessions will focus on the impact of large-scale events on ecosystems, waste management and resource reuse, food safety, the effects of noise and light pollution on human health, as well as sustainable event logistics and audience engagement practices.
Participants will take part not only in lectures and masterclasses, but also in group work focused on real-life sustainability and international development challenges related to the festival “Laba Daba”. Students will be tasked with developing ideas on how to strengthen the festival’s international visibility without losing its unique identity and values, while also proposing solutions in various sustainability areas — from audience participation and environmental communication to circular economy principles and sustainable business models.
As part of the programme, participants will also visit SIA “Getliņi EKO”, where they will explore one of the most advanced waste management companies in the Baltics and discuss practical approaches to waste reduction and sustainable resource use in event planning.
The aim of the study programme is to strengthen international cooperation, develop students’ practical skills, and promote understanding of how the cultural and festival sector can become more sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project 101177596.