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Latvia’s ‘Hemp School’ project wins the Green Skills Award 2024

The story of Andris Višnevskis, who initiated the Hemp School to promote sustainable farming and the ecological benefits of hemp, wins this year’s Green Skills Award. Türkiye and Madagascar came second and third, respectively.

Turin, 13 June 2024 – As a significant international endorsement, thousands of people worldwide voted for Latvia’s sustainable farming advocate, Andris Višnevskis, as the leading example in green skills development. Višnevskis’ innovative approach highlights the potential of hemp as a sustainable alternative to conventional crops, inspiring other communities to adopt greener practices. His “Hemp schooll” emerged as the winner among 10 finalists selected from nearly 316 applications from 53 countries. The winners were announced today by the European Training Foundation, which has organised the Green Skills Award since 2021.

“The fourth edition of the ETF Green Skills Award confirms that sustainable education is a global priority, with almost 18,000 votes cast worldwide. All applicants demonstrated exceptional dedication to green skills, but this year, the award goes to a project which has inspired several people: Latvia’s Andris Višnevskis and his Hemp School project. Congratulations also to the second and third winners, from Türkiye and Madagascar, for their outstanding initiatives – and to all applicants, for their commitment” said the Director of the ETF, Pilvi Torsti.

Latvia: Andris Visnevskis’ “Hemp School” – Promoting hemp as a greener alternative to cotton and sustainable farming (1st winner)

Andris Višnevskis and his colleague, Débora Paulino are making a difference in sustainable farming through the Hemp School in Obeliškas, a rural village in the east of the country. Through their project, they teach the sustainable benefits of hemp, a plant with versatile applications - from organic concrete to paper and textiles. Since its foundation, the Hemp School has trained over 10,000 learners in sustainable farming practices, promoting the awareness and adoption of green practices. "Motivated by our discovery of the vast potential of hemp, in 2017 we began cultivating the plant and experimenting in product innovation. The school promotes awareness of the uses and benefits of hemp,” Višnevskis said. “Through hemp education, we see a future where our Hemp School plays a major role in promoting sustainability and contributing to a greener, more prosperous, and more resilient future for all.” 

Türkiye: Nilufer Günay’s ‘Always New’ project – Promoting sustainable fashion in an all-female vocational high school (2nd winner)

Turkish fashion and design teacher, Nilüfer Günay, leads the ‘Always New’ project at an all-female vocational high school in Zonguldak, northern Türkiye. This initiative addresses the environmental impact of the fashion industry by repurposing old clothing and promoting eco-friendly fashion practices. Günay’s project not only reduces textile waste but also educates the community on sustainable consumption. Through seminars and workshops, the project has inspired many women to make environmentally conscious choices in fashion, highlighting the potential for broader application and impact. “Always New is about repurposing clothing destined for landfill sites, reducing the footprint of fast fashion on the environment,” Günay declared. “But it is also about sharing our knowledge to inspire others to make eco-friendly choices.” 

Madagascar: Matthews Wafula’s “Green TVET” initiative – Creating green jobs and combating global warming (3rd winner)

In Madagascar, the Don Bosco Colleges’ “Green TVET” initiative, led by Matthews Wafula, makes a huge contribution to environmental conservation and green job creation in the country. The project involves students in Green Clubs that advocate for sustainable practices, organise awareness events, and implement eco-friendly projects. These efforts resulted in improved waste management and the adoption of renewable energy sources. The initiative’s impact is evident in the improved environmental practices and livelihood opportunities for local communities. “Since 2021, we have reached over 3,000 students and more than 6,000 community members,” explained Wafula. “Through their involvement, we have installed waste recycling facilities, water tanks to collect rain and planted thousands of trees.”

Green Skills Award 2024 finalists

Finalists included stories from the following countries:

The ETF Green Skills Award

The ETF Green Skills Award is a global initiative that was first introduced in 2021. It provides ideas and inspiration from all over the world about innovation happening thanks to individuals and institutions. The initiative has become a source of good practice that can inspire people everywhere to make real change in creating circular and carbon-neutral economies and societies.

Background

The European Training Foundation is the EU agency supporting the countries neighbouring the EU to reform their education, training, and labour market systems. In line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the European Year of Skills, it actively supports progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economies and societies through skills development.

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