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 – 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 proposed Guidelines will provide a tool that helps event planners maximize the positive impact of their event and minimize the potential negative outcomes. The Guidelines will add value in both the governmental, non-governmental, public and private sector.
The main aim of the project is 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 will research best practices and develop 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:

November 2014 – October 2015

Project partners:

• homo ecos:, Latvia (www.homoecos.lv)
• Latvian Green Movement, Latvia (www.zalie.lv)
• INFORSE-Europe, Denmark (http://www.inforse.org/europe/)
• “Sustainable Development Initiatives – DVI”, Lithuania (http://www.dvi.lt/index.php/pageid/490)

Main activities include:
– 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 and Latvian 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.