International conference highlights the role of the circular economy in strengthening makerspaces in the Baltic Sea Region

The conference was started with a surprise by the band “Santehniķi”, who performed with plumbing pipes, creating the right mood for a conference with a theme on the circular economy. Afterwards, introductory speeches were given by Evija Nagle, Deputy Executive Director of Valmiera Municipality Government – Head of Development Administration and Ilze Eglāja, Chairperson of the Board of Valmiera Development Agency.

Marija Katrīna Dambe, architect at NOMAD arhitects Ltd, Director of the “Architecture and Construction” study programme at the Faculty of Engineering, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, gave a presentation on sustainable construction and the implementation of circular economy principles in the construction sector. Marija shared interesting examples from different architectural projects that incorporate sustainable circular economy principles, inspiring local communities to implement creative ideas in construction.

An insight-filled panel discussion with representatives of makerspaces from Latvia, Denmark, Germany and Norway was one of the most anticipated events of the conference programme. The representatives stressed the value of makerspace communities and how it is a huge resource for makers (users of makerspaces) to turn to in order to develop and implement their ideas. Also, in order to promote sustainable ideas, the panellists stressed the importance of educating people about the principles of the circular economy, showing examples and providing materials and equipment to help implement such ideas. The training program developed within the “Circular spaces” project is therefore a particularly valuable resource for strengthening community knowledge on the circular economy.

Arno Vaģelis, Project Manager at V.L.T., talked about the company’s activities and the circular economy principles already in place, producing sustainable packaging from recycled paper. The company has taken many steps to add sustainability practices to its production process from different perspectives.

Līva Birkava and Karīna Vītiņa – designers, artists and innovators – shared their fascinating and interesting experience in designing and developing a sustainable product. Līva and Karīna stressed the importance of creating design that is sustainable, transformable and reusable. Both are currently working on a product that is based on circular economy principles and is sustainable, but in order to come up with the idea, they tried different ideas, several trials and prototypes. The story of their experience inspired the participants not to be afraid to try, to experiment, because that is how you can end up with innovative and unique products.

To demonstrate and inspire the participants to create circular products, the conference concluded with a workshop where each participant could create a keyring from reusable materials, thus applying the principles of the circular economy. The workshop was organised by the local makerspace “DARE”.

The recording of the conference is available to everyone on the Valmiera Municipality Government Youtube channel here.

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