Riga’s New Urban Resource Centre is Born
Nestled in the heart of Riga, Sadarbnīca was born out of the CURE+ project, based on the research and studies of similar cases in different EU countries. Designed as a multi-functional community space, it welcomes citizens, organisations, and experts eager to explore new ways to reduce waste, extend product life cycles, and rethink consumption habits.
A Community Hub with a Purpose
At the opening on 6 December 2024, representatives from the Riga City Council, Ministry of Climate and Energy, local businesses, and community activists gathered to celebrate this milestone. The event wasn’t just about speeches – it was an interactive experience. Guests witnessed live demonstrations of material reuse, learnt about the development history of the centre, and enjoyed a unique musical performance where instruments were crafted from reclaimed objects.
But Sadarbnīca is more than just a local initiative – it is a space where several EUKI projects have met and aligned their activities. We are particularly glad to welcome the “Young Energy Europe“ project as a “sister initiative” of EUKI, facilitating the exchange of ideas and paving the way for exciting collaborations. This synergy strengthens Riga’s role as a leader in circular innovation and climate action, making Sadarbnīca a living lab for sustainable solutions.
A Space Designed for Circularity
Walking into Sadarbnīca, you immediately notice something different. The space itself is a manifestation of circular economy principles, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated to extend the life cycle of materials and minimise waste.
- 80% of the interior elements are made from reclaimed materials, repurposed to create a modern yet functional design.
- Old furniture sections, discarded fire hoses, electrical wiring covers, and broken chandelier shades have been given a second life as tables, shelving, and decorative elements.
- Modular workstations and flexible layouts ensure the space can quickly transform from a community meeting room to a hands-on repair workshop.
This design was made possible thanks to students and young designers from Latvian universities, who contributed their creativity and expertise. They used an “adaptive reuse” approach, ensuring that the space can evolve with the changing needs of its users. The goal? A space that is dynamic, inclusive, and constantly innovating.
One of the most striking features of Sadarbnīca is its ability to blend aesthetics with sustainability. The furniture is a mix of refurbished vintage pieces and new elements created from industrial leftovers, while lighting solutions integrate salvaged components from various sources. The result is a warm, inviting atmosphere where people feel inspired to engage, collaborate, and create.
More Than Just a Workshop
Sadarbnīca is not just a venue – it’s an ecosystem for sustainable action. The space is equipped with a woodworking makerspace, where people can repair furniture, upcycle materials, and learn new crafting skills. It also serves as a meeting point for discussions, seminars, and knowledge exchange, fostering a collaborative approach to circular living.
The activities at Sadarbnīca are designed to empower citizens. Whether it’s a young entrepreneur testing a business model based on reuse, a local school organising an educational session, or a retiree restoring an old chair instead of discarding it – this is where small changes lead to a bigger impact.
The centre also provides a collaborative platform for businesses, bringing together local enterprises that are pioneering circular economy practices. Meetings take place in the form of thematic “circular economy breakfasts”.
A Step Towards a Greener Riga
Riga has set ambitious climate goals – to reduce CO2 emissions by 53% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. However, energy efficiency alone is not enough. Reducing resource consumption and waste is equally important, and Sadarbnīca is a key tool achieving this.
As Viesturs Zeps, Chairman of the Riga City Council Housing and Environment Committee, noted at the opening:
“No major project succeeds without collaboration – between municipalities, citizens, and businesses. Sadarbnīca is a tool to bring these efforts together and turn ideas into action.”
The creation of this Urban Resource Centre is just the beginning. With its doors open to all who wish to learn, create, and contribute, Sadarbnīca is set to become a driving force in Riga’s circular transition.
The concept, design, arrangement and kick-start of the operations of the first Riga Urban Center were made possible within the framework of the project “Centres for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture (CURE+)”. Riga Energy Agency is implementing EUKI project CURE+ in cooperation with the Tartu City Government, Municipality of Kavala, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Elisava Barcelona School of Engineering and Design. The project aims to improve the management of construction and demolition waste generated by households through reuse and repair respecting the principles of the circular economy.
More information about the preparation of the Center can be found in the article.