Environmental research

The project aimed to reduce air pollution by using renewable biomass fuel resources and to increase energy efficiency, to built the capacity of local communities and to promote its cooperation with governmental and municipal institutions, and to help in developing working skills of the Centre`s inhabitants and of the neighboring rural communities and finally to create additional sources of income. To satisfy the energy needs of the Centre 10ha of rapidly growing willows were be planted, 3 boilers based on biomass fuel of the total capacity of 67kW were be installed, energy efficiency measures were implemented, and a number of information dissemination materials were prepared. Profits received from this project is accumulated in an energy savings fund and reinvested into implementing energy efficiency measures at other subdivisions of the Centre. Inhabitants of the Rehabilitation Centre received training on weaving and basketry techniques as well as encouraged to develop other skills. Their products will be sold in Lithuania and Germany. The project gave so positive economical effect to the center, that there are plans to purchase extra 10ha of land and to plant them with energy forest as well. This project introduced a model of effective cooperation between a scientific NGO and a social group, which will provide young scientists with an opportunity to address social exclusion issues.

Lithuania