The European Sustainable Development Week 2023 (ESDW 2030) is held from 18 September to 8 October 2023 in Latvia and other European countries for the ninth year in a row. This is a major event with the main objective to promote the exchange of knowledge at international level and the sharing of good practices in promoting sustainable development.
The European Sustainable Development Week promotes sustainable development-oriented initiatives and projects, contributing to the implementation of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals endorsed in 2015. This event highlights the activities and initiatives of participating countries and actors in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, thus calling for more reflection on the responsible use of resources in the long-term.
Every year, the ESDW week hosts thousands of events carried out by socially responsible citizens, organisations, institutions and businesses, taking care of the future of the planet, people and land resources across Europe. Latvia is also actively implementing these 17 Sustainable Development Goals and takes care of building a sustainable future. This year, the public institutions, companies, associations of Latvia, as well as people at individual level, in line with their values and opportunities, implement measures, hackathons, seminars, webinars and other activities within the framework of this event.
Just a few of the activities you can still take part in and learn about sustainable solutions to improve your and planet’s lives:
- From 20 September to 13 October, JSC “Rīgas Siltums” is implementing free training course “Increasing the Energy Efficiency of the Heating System in Multi-Apartment Houses” considering the approaching of harsh winter.
- The Latvian Museums Association organises online conference “Localization of Sustainable Development Goals through Museums and Libraries II” on 27 September, during which new approaches to localisation of sustainable development goals through culture and its potential will be sought.
- Riga Technical University will host the major global brainstorming on 29 September, at 12.00 at Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre, trying to beat the Guinness World Record. You are welcome to apply!
- The National Centre for Education organises a seminar “Digital Energy in Daily Life – to be Aware and Use Wisely” on 2 October, at 12.00 to be held at the European Union House. The industry experts will provide information on the latest developments in the implementation of the European Green Deal and the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals, as well as explain the environmental impact of digital devices and their use. Educators from vocational education institutions will share their experience on the inclusion of digital energy management skills in the learning content and the use of the digital CO2 footprint calculator.
- The Latvian Association of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies (LŪKA) will organise a free seminar on 3 October, which will focus on the consumption of tap water and myths about it, as well as find out how much you can save by using our own drinking water without plastic bottles.
- On 4 October, the State Construction Control Bureau invites interested parties to the webinar “Digitalisation of Energy Efficiency Monitoring System in Latvia”. The webinar will be held in English.
- The Latvian Corporate Social Responsibility Platform organises a training programme “Responsible Business Ambassadors” on 5 October, where you will learn more about sustainable development goals and sustainability in business. You can apply before 28 September.
- On October 5, Valmiera Municipality organises a seminar “Climate Neutrality and Sustainability in Enterprises”. The seminar will cover a variety of issues ranging from energy origin to CO2 verification and calculation. Definitely worth participating! Interested parties have to apply before October 4 by filling out the application form.
- The Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia in cooperation with leading Latvian companies and organisations is organising an international hydrogen theme event “Hygen X Future Hackathon” to be held from October 6 to October 8 with the main prize – EUR 3000! Participation in the hackathon is free of charge. Welcome to apply before 29 September.
You can find out more about these and many other events organised in Latvia on the official website of the European Week of Sustainable Development.
The ESDW is organised by the Institute for Sustainability Management of the Vienna University of Economics and Business as part of the European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) in cooperation with the contact points of the ESDW Member States. The State Chancellery performs the functions of the ESDW contact point. On 1 March this year, the State Chancellery took over the functions from the liquidated Cross-Sectoral Coordination Centre such as planning of sustainable development of Latvia, supervision of the implementation of the government declaration, as well as governance of state-owned capital companies, etc.