2019

LVM is Launching an EU Fund Project on Developing Digital Learning Tools

Within the next two years, JSC “Latvia's State Forests”(LVM) will implement a project co-financed by the European Union Funds (EUF) aimed at developing a competency-based general education content by introducing a digital learning and methodological tool for sustainable forest management. The tool is intended for successful implementation of the interdisciplinary theme “Forest Research” for grade 8-9 students to be used in geography, biology and mathematics and computer science.

Līga Abizāre, LVM Communication Project Manager: “This is an important step in developing a partnership between the forest industry and schools. Latvia is among the first EU Member States to develop a National Bioeconomy Strategy for the period up to 2030, which pays special attention to increased use of renewable resources and adequate education. These nationally defined goals are also reflected in the new standard of basic education in the field of science competences, as well as transversal competences for the development of student entrepreneurship. However, there is currently a lack of methodological and teaching materials in schools to ensure that school students acquire competences in sustainable forestry. The project will offer solutions to this problem.”

The project involves three partners: Riga Teika Secondary School, Riga Anniņmuiža Secondary School and Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium, which will approbate the developed digital medium. The total funding of the project is EUR 59 040.00, of which the EUF funding amounts to EUR 41 328.00. Planned project implementation time: 05.11.2019 - 04.11.2021.

In 2005, JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” entered into a memorandum of cooperation with the National Centre for Education, which offers various environmental education programmes for schools (more information at www.lvm.lv/skolam). Each year, around 20 000 students and teachers participate in these programmes. The company cooperates with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Educational Innovation of the University of Latvia and other partners in the education and forestry sector and participates in the activities of the School 2030 project. As a national representative of the Global Forest Environmental Education Fund (FEE) programme “Learning about Forest”, JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” regularly participates in international exchange of experience.