2017

LVM Continues Supporting Cultural Development in the Regions

"Development of cultural life in regions is very important not only for the regions concerned but also for the whole country. Every effort should be made to protect the historical values and traditions of each region, and employees of JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” are proud that the money earned by the company allows supporting cultural life in the regions," says Tomass Kotovičs, Head of JSC "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM) Communication Unit. Last year, the State Culture Capital Foundation (SCCF) received 990 000 euros in targeted donations, of which 602 683 euros were LVM donations for culture.

Donations were distributed among three special-purpose programmes:

• “Support for Major Projects of National Importance”;
• “Support for Cultural Programmes in the Regions”;
• “Support for Development of Choir and Folk Dance Traditions”.

Also this year, JSC "Latvia's State Forests" has already announced the opportunity to submit projects for the programme "Support for Cultural Programmes in the Regions". The aim of the programme is to support development of a balanced, diversified and full-fledged cultural life in regions, preserving and developing their values, traditions and culture.

“The concept "social responsibility" means different things to different companies - it is the company's language to address the society. For Latvia's State Forests it starts with top-quality forest management and provision of a regular wood flow to Latvian entrepreneurs, thus ensuring stable jobs in the regions and subsequently also social infrastructure in the regions. Our corporate social responsibility also includes almost 400 recreation sites in forests, which according to sociologist data are highly valued by 80% of the Latvian population. Social responsibility also means working so that the company would generate sufficient profit, which could be diverted by its owner to support the areas and sectors of national importance," says Tomass Kotovičs.

Information on project submission procedures and calls for proposals is available on the homepage of the State Culture Capital Foundation: www.kkf.lv. Within a month, the SCCF Council examines the submitted target-donation projects, based on an application filed by the respective project manager. A cultural project, for which a donor has been attracted, does not need to be previously financed in SCCF funded competitions, but it must comply with the purpose and tasks of the Foundation.

In distribution of donations, LVM cooperates with a number of non-governmental organizations. In social welfare and health promotion - with the foundation "Ziedot.lv", the Latvian Children's Fund and the association "Latvian Samaritan Association"; in environment, education and science promotion - with the Forest Development Fund; in cultural and art promotion - with the National Culture Fund; and in sports promotion - with the association "Latvian Sports Federation Council."