The EU project ‘Ecodesign as a Driver of Innovation in the Baltic Sea Region (EcoDesign Circle)’ is a three-year project (2016 – 2019) supported by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund with a budget of 1.7 million EUR. In 2018 the Lithuanian Design Forum has joined the project and will work on its implementation in Lithuania.
The project promotes sustainable design by strengthening the competences of design centres, small and medium sized enterprises, lecturers, professional designers and engineers in the field of ecodesign. It aims to inspire by showcasing selected good cases, to overcome the hesitations entrepreneurs may have about ecodesign by demonstrating its market potential and to bridge the gap between the know-how of environmental scientists and the Ecodesign competences and awareness needed among designers.
To this purpose, a ‘Learning Factory for Ecodesign’ is being established within the project, complemented by further learning materials such as practical films. The tools ‘Ecodesign Audit and Sprint’ are being developed to identify potentials for sustainable (re)design in enterprises and realise these in a design-centred process. A ‘Sustainability Guide’ will be a transnational web-based hub of information, inspiration and methods for ecodesign. And the ‘Reconsider Design’ travelling exhibition explores the meaning of Ecodesign, showcasing inspirational success stories.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) is lead partner of the project, cooperating with six design centres from Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. The joint development and organisation of project activities by the partners is strengthen- ing their network and endeavours in the field of sustainable design.
We are glad that various initiatives of the project are already taking place in Lithuania:
- During the DESIGN WEEK LITHUANIA 2018 festival, the exhibition ‘Reconsider Design’ was showcased at Mykolas Žilinskas art gallery in Kaunas. Some excellent examples of ecological design from across the Baltic Sea Region were displayed by ideas and products in areas as diverse as learning, social inclusiveness and mobility. As an additional informative tool, the facsimile of the exhibition was published in Lithuanian. The exhibition was visited by 4642 visitors.
- During the DESIGN WEEK LITHUANIA 2018 festival, at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, ‘Learning Factory’ workshop was held. The event introduced entrepreneurs, lecturers, students and broader audience to the potential of eco-design and the circular economy. The workshop was led by the experts Max Marwede (Germany) and Tapani Jokinen (Finland).
- January 10, 13:00 at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania the international “EcoDesign Circle” project conference took place, in order to review the outcomes of the project as well as present the resent issues and trends of ecodesign. During the event European Commission challenges in fight against plastic waste were discussed. International partners of the project shared mission, results, main activities and created services of the project, as well as great ecodesign examples in Europe. CEO of the Lithuanian Design Forum – Audronė Drungilaitė – presented ecodesign situation in Lithuania. After the presentations, open discussion and workshop were organised to find out what are the main obstacles for companies to implement ecodesign principles and also – how the network of ecodesign could be strengthened.
- We kindly invite you to visit ‘Sustainability Guide’ platform for more information, inspiration and methods for ecodesign.
Project partners: German Environment Agency (UBA), Design Forum Finland, Estonian Design Centre, Gdynia Pomerianian Science and Technology Park, Gdynia Design Centre, International Design Center Berlin, Swedish Industrial Design Foundation.