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Park of Nature and Technology URDA (URDA)
Published on 18 May 2021
Latvia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The URDA was established by a municipal waste management company ZAOO Ltd. uniting 28 municipalities of the Northern Vidzeme to ensure awareness rising and dissemination of information on waste management and sorting issues for different target groups: stakeholders, schools and inhabitants. This activity was also strongly supported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and Ministry of Education and Science that demonstrates support for the environmental education as national a regional priority. The URDA provides practical support for educational organisations in environmental studies, as well as municipalities responsible for educating local community on the environmental issues that help to improve the quality of surrounding environment.
The URDA also disseminates information about modern environmentally friendly waste management and pollution reduction to various target groups, such as municipalities, ZAAO clients, educational institutions, and the society at large.
The URDA offers licensed educational programs and excursion to a nearby landfill DAIBE, where students can learn about sorting and recycling of waste and other processes taking place in the landfill, such as reverse osmosis treatment, the process of obtaining biogas and electricity from waste, etc.
The URDA also disseminates information about modern environmentally friendly waste management and pollution reduction to various target groups, such as municipalities, ZAAO clients, educational institutions, and the society at large.
The URDA offers licensed educational programs and excursion to a nearby landfill DAIBE, where students can learn about sorting and recycling of waste and other processes taking place in the landfill, such as reverse osmosis treatment, the process of obtaining biogas and electricity from waste, etc.
Resources needed
URDA is established on the infrastructure of one of the ZAOO member's district (Pargauja). The necessary equipment and launching has been possible thanks to state and municipal support, especially initial funding of the Ministry of Education and Science (EUR 897 561). It has 2-3 permanent employees.
Evidence of success
The URDA is being strongly supported by municipalities and state institutions. Every year it prepares 2-5 new education projects and receives 5000 visitors, mainly schoolchildren. URDA's educational activities have beed widely recognised and the government has taken a decision that similar education centres must be established in all regions of Latvia during 2021-2027.
Potential for learning or transfer
Thanks to the decision of 28 municipalities to cooperate on the establishment of the URDA, it was also financially supported by the national government to ensure its durability and long-term sustainability through interdisciplinary value added learning programme, including practical activities. The purpose of URDA is to provide infrastructure and opportunity for school children to learn applied natural sciences and technologies by using modern education methods and applied approaches. In addition, every teacher can receive support and consultations on how to use opportunities and resources provided by the URDA to teach natural sciences.
The importance of building similar education centres has already been recognised by the government of Latvia. The basic pre-condition is willingness and cooperation of neighbouring municipalities and communities that allow to come to a mutual agreement. If this challenge can be met then similar education centres can also be opened I other EU regions.
The importance of building similar education centres has already been recognised by the government of Latvia. The basic pre-condition is willingness and cooperation of neighbouring municipalities and communities that allow to come to a mutual agreement. If this challenge can be met then similar education centres can also be opened I other EU regions.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
ZAAO Ltd., Waste management organization of the Northern Vidzeme
Latvia
Latvija
Contact
Director, Project Manager