Digitalization and sustainability are no longer just future visions; they are becoming an integral foundation for modern business and societal development. In collaboration with the media platform DIENA PĒC, the Latvian Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development created a new podcast series – #digiSpēja.
In #digiSpēja, industry experts discuss how digital solutions and sustainable practices interact, forming a new paradigm of thinking. The first episode offers valuable insights into the situation in Latvia, European Union requirements, and practical examples of how companies can leverage these areas for competitive advantage.
The following people participated in the discussion: Professor Signe Bāliņa, Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association; Dace Helmane, “Sustinere”; Kārlis Siliņš, Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC); and Agnese Alksne-Bensone, CSR Latvia. The conversation was moderated by Kristaps Pētersons.
Experts shared insights on how implementing sustainable processes and digital solutions can boost companies’ competitiveness. They revealed the current situation in Latvia and explained the European Union’s requirements and guidelines for businesses in these areas.
Professor Signe Bāliņa points out that “we are currently observing a paradigm shift – a change in mindset that is also entering the business world, with even small and medium-sized enterprises increasingly starting to think about sustainability.” She emphasized that sustainable resource consumption is becoming an integral part of daily life for both society and businesses.
Meanwhile, Dace Helmane emphasizes that more and more companies are choosing to report on sustainability requirements voluntarily, as it provides concrete benefits:
- It allows companies to track their progress and evaluate the effectiveness of digital solutions.
- Funders are requesting sustainability information, and it’s becoming a crucial factor in decision-making.
- In the Nordic market, customers are already starting to demand this information as a standard requirement, and in the technology sector, suppliers are beginning to request it.
Agnese Alksne-Bensone elaborates on European Union policy and current tasks related to the development of the Green Deal, explaining the current situation and the necessary future direction in detail.
Kārlis Siliņš also shared insights on the practical approach to digitalization and sustainability, explaining the processes and projects that LVRTC is currently implementing. He notes that sustainability and digitalization are a set of continuous improvements, constantly seeking ways to optimize processes and reduce the ecological footprint. He also emphasized that centralized management within companies not only improves service quality but also makes processes more sustainable.
We invite small, medium, and large enterprises to listen to the new #digiSpēja podcast episode to gain practical insights from industry professionals and learn how digital solutions and sustainability principles can become a competitive advantage!
The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify, and is conducted in Latvian.
#digiSpēja podcast is created as part of the SusTool (Sustainability reporting tool) project (2023-2025) which is financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme 2021-2027, 1 Priority Innovative societies, 1.2 Objective Responsive Public services and it contributes to EUSBSR PA Innovation Action.
Latest information about the project:
Project partners include the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications as the lead partner from Estonia, and as partners: the Ministry of Finance, Zero Waste Estonia and ITL from Estonia; VARAM and LIKTA from Latvia; DIMECC LTD from Finland, INFOBALT from Lithuania and several associated partners from the mentioned countries, as well as Poland. The project will conclude on December 31, 2025.
Project manager
Santa Bileskalne
Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia
+37167026551
santa.bileskalne@varam.gov.lv
