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Description
Organisation "Environmental Initiatives Center” the aim of the project "Green Tattoos of Life" is to develop the long-term ability of the association in several ways. Four activities are planned to achieve the goal: development of the association''s future strategy under professional management, establishment of international cooperation of environmental organizations, training of members in organizing campaigns and implementation of a campaign for green solutions in everyone''s everyday life, planned as an innovation to popularize and strengthen the association''s activities. The project will take place in partnership with the Norwegian non-governmental organization "Norsensus Mediaforum", which will be involved in three of the project''s activities.
As a result of the project, the association will start international cooperation with its partner in Norway "Norsensus Mediaforum", develop its activity strategy for the next period until 2028, improve members'' skills and knowledge about organizing environmental campaigns, increase the number of its members, provide regular and extensive information about the association''s work in the public space, will organize one innovative campaign.
In the long term, the implementation of the project will allow the association to continue at the next level of development, attracting valuable human resources, promoting and strengthening the association, and complexly responding to climate change, which currently affects everyone''s life and the choices made in the implementation of green solutions.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key challenges:
Lack of Long-term Strategic Development: The association needed a structured, forward-looking strategy to guide its activities and goals until 2028. The project aimed to develop this future strategy with professional management support.
Limited International Cooperation: The organization lacked international partnerships, particularly in the environmental sector. The project sought to establish international cooperation, specifically with the Norwegian organization "Norsensus Mediaforum."
Capacity Building for Members: There was a need to enhance the skills and knowledge of the organization''s members, particularly in organizing environmental campaigns. The project aimed to provide training to empower members in this area.
Limited Public Awareness and Engagement: The organization faced challenges in increasing its visibility and reaching a wider audience. The project planned to implement an innovative environmental campaign to popularize and strengthen the association''s activities, helping to raise awareness of green solutions in everyday life.
Climate Change Response: The project also aimed to strengthen the association''s ability to respond to the growing issue of climate change by promoting green solutions that could impact individuals'' daily lives.
The project successfully enhanced the Environmental Initiatives Center''s (Vides iniciatīvu centrs) capacity and visibility through several key activities:
Strengthened Existing Partnerships: The project renewed and strengthened cooperation with existing partner organizations such as "Sēlijas laivas" and "Zero Waste Latvia," particularly during international training sessions.
New Collaborations: New partnerships were initiated with local organizations like "Jēkabpils pakalpojumi" and "Jēkabpils Agrobiznesa koledža," although the agreements were not yet formalized.
Campaigns and Workshops: The project organized an innovative campaign involving various stakeholders. Key participants, such as the Latvian Bone, Joint, and Connective Tissue Disease Association''s Jēkabpils branch, hosted workshops and received denim donations for upcycling. This campaign also involved a workshop on creating "denim mats."
Strategy Development: A series of workshops led to the development of the association''s strategic plan for 2023-2026, which was later approved and is publicly available.
Increased Public Engagement: The project also facilitated increased public engagement and awareness through various channels, such as the creation of a new campaign collection point and active participation in local and social media activities.
International Connections: The partnership with "Norsensus Mediaforum" facilitated collaboration with international organizations, including becoming an observer member of Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) and joining the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS), which enhances global and national outreach.
Ongoing Education and Public Awareness: Educational initiatives, such as the "Green Tattooed Everyday" Design Days at Jēkabpils Technology College, engaged youth in creating content on sustainability, which contributed to long-term public awareness.
The project yielded significant results aimed at various target groups, including members of the organization, local communities, and the general public:
Enhanced Strategic Direction: The developed strategy (2023-2026) is guiding the organization towards growth, sustainability, and a more structured approach to its activities. The strategy helped establish measurable goals and a monitoring system to evaluate progress.
Increased Capacity: The capacity of the association was improved through the training of members and partners, particularly in organizing environmental campaigns. This will allow the organization to effectively run future initiatives and enhance its ability to advocate for green solutions.
Strengthened Network and International Visibility: The project’s international cooperation, especially with organizations in Norway and the wider Baltic Sea region, strengthens the association’s network and provides more opportunities for future collaborations, including new project ideas.
Community Impact: Local communities, including schools, youth groups, and NGOs, benefited from direct involvement in sustainability initiatives. Activities like the "Denim Mat" workshop and the campaign for green solutions raised awareness of environmental issues in practical, accessible ways.
Public Awareness and Recognition: The association''s visibility increased, as evidenced by the improved recognition rates from surveys and the broader dissemination of information through campaigns and social media. Membership also grew due to enhanced outreach efforts.
Overall, the project successfully addressed its goals of enhancing the organization''s capacity, expanding its reach, and increasing public awareness about environmental sustainability. It has positioned the Environmental Initiatives Center for continued development and influence in promoting green solutions and climate action.
Summary of bilateral results
The project involved a close partnership with an experienced organization that participated in three key activities. The partner''s level of involvement varied across these activities, with the most significant engagement occurring in the first two:The partner helped finalize a long-term cooperation agreement, integrating the organization into an international network, which marked the beginning of their collaboration. This activity was crucial for building foundational connections and expanding the project''s reach globally.The partner played a major role in providing training to the association’s representatives on campaign planning and organization. This involved the partner visiting Latvia to facilitate in-person training sessions, contributing to the development of key skills for future campaigns.For subsequent activities, the partner continued to collaborate but with less direct involvement, mainly through online platforms like Zoom. Despite the geographical distance causing occasional delays in communication (e.g., emails sometimes ending up in spam folders), the partner remained dedicated and fully engaged in the first two activities.