ZEN. Zero-Impact Cultural Heritage Event NetworkFinal conference

Vilnius Local Implementation Plan

Gintaras Sodeika, Advisor to the Vilnius City MayorPerugia, 11 September 2014

to assure the growth of sustainable development in the city by disseminating information, educating the society and applying best practice examples.

One of the main goals of Vilnius City Municipal Government Administration –

01

Impact of events on Vilnius city

• EU and national strategic goals and priorities (growing attention to sustainable development)

• Increasing domestic and international tourism

• Concentration of SMEs in Vilnius • Economic revitalization and growing interest

in culture• Absence of a national document that

regulates the process of event organization

Factors influencing sustainable event organization:

Guidelines for event organizers and participants – an important part of Local Implementation Plan, adding value to Vilnius city.

Guidelines for event organizers

Three-stage process of event organization

Guidelines have been prepared for each stage separatelyImplementation:

Deliver actions and record progressCommunicate achievements

Measuring success: Document outcomes

Feedback

Planning: Identify potential impacts and issues

Define targets and develop action plan

Stage 1 PlanningStrategi

c plannin

g

Prepare

implementa-tion planRe-think

marketing

strategy

Foster social cohesi

on

Select right servic

e provid

ers

Team buildingIdentif

y right partners and sponso

rs

Train volunteers

Assign responsibiliti

es

Coordinate

process

Transport

Offer ticket discounts for travelli

ng with

public transp

ort

Think about

car and bike

parkingWarn

participants about the

trafficMaximize use

of shared transp

ort

Venue of the event

Organize

noisy events in non-residential areasConsid

er needs

of local

residentsAssure

mobility for the

disabled

Consult with expert

s (regarding

cultural

heritage)

Catering

provision

Encourage and

support local businesses

Provide

options to

cater for

diverse

dietary,

ethnic and

cultural

needs

Offer local,

seasonal,

non-frozen produc

ts

Use of resourc

esUse eco light bulbsUse

ecological,

recyclable

materialsUse

water dispensing

machines

Print in black and

white

Waste management

Avoid plastic bags,

minimize

packagingEncourage

participants to sort wasteUse bio-

toilets and

portable

washbasinsUse

ecological

cleaning

materials

• Inform the society about sustainable event principles• Assure that team members are well-prepared to do their job• Monitor venue of the event• Take notes, write down comments about the progress of the event

During the event in action:

Stage 2

Stage 3 – measuring success

• Provide sustainability facts and figures in the final report

• Organize the discussion with the team about the event

• Communicate results to the society, integrate sustainability messaging into press releases

• Use recyclable paper to prepare the report • Use special labels, display signage detailing the

measures undertaken

Guidelines for the participants

they are recipients of the service and, therefore, can make a strong impact on the way event is organized.

Participants have an opportunity not only to change their daily habits –

01

Guidelines for the participants

Before event

• Read about the concept of sustainable development• Find out information about parking and alternative ways of travelling• Read event programme in advance (in this case you will not need printed booklets)• Choose that event, which complies with sustainable event principles (express your civil position by participating in a

particular event)

During event• Avoid using disposable glass• Choose products sold by local producers• Ask for tap water when dining, fill empty bottles with tap water instead of throwing them away• If possible, use public or shared transport• In hotel choose an option to reuse towels the second day• Avoid purchasing goods with a lot of packaging, do not use plastic bags• Make sure light is off when you are leaving• Preserve cultural heritage• Be tolerant to different societal groups

After event

1. To disseminate the information about sustainable event guidelines (target group – event organizers)

Sustainable events: Local implementation plan (1)

1.1. To organize informative events, presenting results of ZEN Project to event organizers.

1.2. To disseminate information about sustainable event guidelines via internet.

1.3. To motivate event organizers to apply sustainable event guidelines by communicating benefits of such events.

1.4. To organize educational seminars that are directly related to strengthening capabilities of event organizers.

Sustainable events: Local implementation plan (2)2. To educate the society about sustainable participation in the events.

2.1. To organize informative events, educating the society about sustainable development and guidelines for the participants.

2.2. To disseminate information via Ministries of the Republic of Lithuania, strengthening inter-institutional and inter-sectoral cooperation.

2.3. To develop an intensive communication campaign on the internet by involving cultural centres, NGOs, civil and youth organisations.

2.4. To integrate messages about sustainable development into the programme of the events.

3. To implement an intensive training programme for event organizers.

Sustainable events: Local implementation plan (3)

3.1. To identify local sustainable development experts, who could prepare the training programme.

3.2. To organize training for the event organizers. 3.3. To assign a responsible person who would consult

event organizers on sustainable development issues.

3.4. To do case studies of large events in Vilnius.

Sustainable events: Local implementation plan (4)4. To initiate changes in cultural policy and legislative framework.

4.1. To define and approve procedures regulating process of event organization. 4.2. To include the concept of sustainable development into the documents that regulate

process of event organization. 4.3. To form a working group of event organizers in order to improve sustainable event

guidelines. 4.4. To encourage special labelling of initiatives that comply with sustainable

development principles. 4.5. To introduce a requirement to comply with sustainable development principles for all

events that are funded by Vilnius city municipality or Lithuanian Council of Culture. 4.6. To make decisions that would help to improve the regulation of event organization. 4.7. To organize a discussion of Vilnius county municipalities in order to uniform legal acts

that regulate event organization. 4.8. To create a database of responsible organizations / companies.

5. To engage in event monitoring and evaluation.

Sustainable events: Local implementation plan (5)

5.1. To form the committee for the evaluation of the events.

5.2. To implement sustainable event development programme.

5.3. To organize annual awards for the most sutainable (green) initiatives and events.

5.4. To cooperate with the association of responsible businesses (LAVA) and Lithuanian network of responsible businesses and providers (LARTA).

these guidelines will be used to introduce sustainable development principles to the society, to educate them about potential negative impact of the events and to inspire them to create a nicer, safer and a more sustainable future.

Unawareness does not excuse from responsibility –

Thank you for your attention