More information
Description
The main aim of the project "Library of things" is to facilitate consumer movement from goods to services.
To reduce the amount of waste created and energy spent on producing and transporting goods, the society will be invited to overthink and change their consumption habits. Instead of buying brand new things, two alternative will be promoted - 1- rental services for things that are being used only few times in their lifecycle and 2-rental services of repaired, upcycled and second-hand things.
With the help of various activities non-governmental organisation Zero Waste Latvija will cooperate seek cooperation partners among companies in Latvia to begin the path towards second-hand goods normalisation, facilitation of rental services and explaining why buying new things is not a sustainable choice. To increase the capacity of the NGO, an employee will be hired to gain focus on relationship building and defining various forms of cooperation with companies, whose operations are aligned with the values of Zero Waste Latvija. During the project a code of ethics will be created to help evaluate potential cooperation partners sustainability.
Summary of project results
1. Dependence on project funding. The association relied heavily on project-based funding, making it difficult to maintain regular operations and pay for staff salaries. This dependency limited the ability to engage long-term partners and donors.
2. Lack of resources for long-term engagement. The association lacked the capacity to dedicate a focused team member to work with potential long-term partners and donors. This meant that efforts to engage businesses and attract new funding were inconsistent and reliant on volunteers and board members.
3. Limited use of corporate memberships. Due to capacity constraints, the association had not yet utilized the opportunity to involve legal entities as full members. This missed potential for generating additional funding and long-term partnerships, which could strengthen the association''s financial sustainability.
4. Need for financial support for project sustainability. To implement long-term projects such as the "Lietu bibliotēka" initiative, the association required substantial financial support. Without a dedicated staff member for fundraising and partner engagement, the ability to secure ongoing financial resources was limited.
5. Uncertainty of EU project funding. The association''s participation in large EU-funded projects, such as the LIFE IP project, posed financial risks. If the EU funding was delayed or denied, the association needed a plan to ensure the continuation of its projects and initiatives independently.
6. Need for focused fundraising for long-term goals. To ensure financial sustainability, the association needed to find new ways to attract non-project-related funding. This would allow the hiring of a dedicated project manager, making the association’s operations more efficient and focused on its long-term environmental and community goals.
Activity 1: Engagement of legal entities for strengthening the organisation''s long-term capacity and project sustainability
The activity aimed to develop structured cooperation models and clear membership criteria to engage interested legal entities as full members, enhancing the association’s long-term capacity and supporting strategic goals like the “Library of Things” project. Approximately 80 legal entities and public institutions were contacted through calls, emails, and meetings to introduce ZWL’s services.
Several new collaborations were initiated with legal entities to enhance the long-term capacity of Zero Waste Latvija and support the sustainability of the "Library of Things" project. Partnerships were formed with companies and institutions such as Samsung, which organised staff education on food waste reduction and sustainable living; Narvesen, which became involved in environmental events and showed interest in packaging audits; and Pernod Ricard, which engaged in bartender training aligned with circular economy principles.
Meaningful cooperation was also developed with LMT, resulting in a lecture series for employees and interest in joining ZWL as a legal member, and with Tele2, with whom a device donation campaign was launched to promote reuse and environmental awareness. In addition, Goethe-Institut hosted educational sessions on circular economy, and Latvia Tours began work on developing sustainable tourism products with ZWL experts.
Collaborations were tailored to the specific interests and needs of each partner, involving activities such as packaging assessments, public lectures, webinars, and co-designed campaigns. The project manager coordinated communication, agreements, and expert involvement, ensuring smooth implementation of the activities. These partnerships helped strengthen ZWL’s visibility, diversify financial resources, and position the organisation as a reliable expert in the fields of waste reduction and circular economy.
Activity 2: Long-term Partnership and Donor Engagement for Capacity Building and Project Sustainability
The aim of this activity was to enhance the association''s financial sustainability by attracting long-term partners and donors and maintain strong partnerships.
The ZWL Ethics Code was developed and published to establish ethical collaboration, and it has been successfully integrated into daily partnerships. Tailored communication and partnership plans were created for several companies, including the largest mobile telecommunications provider in the country, a popular convenience store chain, a well-known food producer, a leading cosmetics brand, etc.
Efforts were made to promote Zero Waste Europe''s certification process for legal entities, and LinkedIn was actively used for engagement with business partners. The focus shifted towards donation strategies, with specific programs targeting youth and SME businesses, which were shared via email and newsletters with potential partners.
The association analyzed sustainability efforts in industries that generate new packaging or consume large quantities of products, especially within the food sector. Online stores were encouraged to donate products to refugees, promoting sustainability. Efforts were also made to engage exhibition centers and conference venues to connect with more businesses interested in sustainable practices. Social media and networking further strengthened the association’s visibility and position. Collaboration with Omniva continued, involving around 4000 Latvian businesses in donating goods to Ukrainian refugees. This initiative increased ZWL''s visibility and promoted the reuse of goods, particularly those with minor defects, helping to address rising living costs.
The association received its first applications for legal entity membership from several businesses, including those from diverse sectors such as e-commerce, cosmetics, and food industries. These companies became members, with the membership fee remaining symbolic, focusing on increasing financial resources and strengthening the association''s activities.
1. Employee awareness raised on circular economyEmployees of Latvian companies were educated on reuse, waste reduction, sorting, and circular economy principles through organized lectures and practical workshops. It helped to develop a new service – a training for companies and increase income.
2. Sustainability initiatives launched in partner companiesSustainability efforts were initiated in several well-known Latvian companies, increasing environmental awareness among staff and consumers.
3. Legal membership and partnerships expandedThe number of legal members and collaboration partners of Zero Waste Latvia was significantly increased, with partners expressing high appreciation for the organization''s expertise.
4 Zero Waste Europe certification process initiatedThe business certification process by partner organization Zero Waste Europe was launched and publicly announced in the spring. It was already actively used as a valuable communication tool to engage local businesses. This process enabled the organization to be positioned as qualified experts, providing support on behalf of Zero Waste Europe when approaching local companies and conducting sustainability audits at the European level.
5. Financial stability strengthenedIn the short term, Zero Waste Latvia’s income was increased by at least 10%, with this growth attributed to non-project-related revenue. The financial flow and free income during the active project period were generated through new forms of cooperation and previously unidentified partners, resulting in a more diversified and potentially stable income stream. One key indicator of long-term financial stability was the signing of a cooperation agreement with a legal entity, allowing additional revenue from returned electronic devices.
6. New partnerships with long-term potential createdAround 50 new partnerships were formed, laying the groundwork for sustainable and financially beneficial collaborations.
7. Strategic groundwork for future sustainability efforts establishedTargeted engagement with companies created long-term potential to continue promoting sustainable business practices and shift toward services over product consumption.