Latvian Rural Forum
Ilvija Ašmane holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Riga Technical University and serves as a Climate and Energy Expert at the Latvian Rural Forum and as a Project Manager at the Aizkraukle District Partnership, funded by EU EAFRD and national programs. She specializes in capacity building, effectively engaging local stakeholders such as municipalities, NGOs, and financial institutions. Renowned for her excellent communication skills, she simplifies complex technical concepts for diverse audiences, fostering collaboration and practical implementation. Her work encompasses managing international projects like Horizon and EAFRD, organizing focus groups, policy dialogues, and conferences, while promoting innovation and inclusive decision-making in rural energy systems. A certified Energy Community Espresso Trainer, she actively participates in international events on green transition, such as the European Rural Parliament and Smart Rural 27 conferences. Ms. Ašmane is passionate about sustainability, empowering communities, and advancing innovative energy solutions tailored to rural needs.
About Latvian Rural Forum
The Latvian Rural Forum (LRF), established in 2004, unites 87 member organizations, including 32 Local Action Groups, covering the entire territory of Latvia. For two decades, LRF has promoted rural and local development, strengthened civil society, and introduced innovative tools to empower rural communities and businesses. In the past three years, it has implemented over 20 projects, many funded by EU programs, addressing diverse rural development challenges. LRF has advanced energy community initiatives through projects like Horizon 2020’s COME RES and the DBU-funded program, 18 identifying pilot cases, addressing bottlenecks, and engaging stakeholders at local and national levels. Its efforts include international collaboration, such as German-Latvian policy dialogue on energy sharing and citizen energy funds, as well as regional awareness campaigns and capacity-building activities across Latvia. Since 2023, LRF has been piloting a renewable energy community in Sece, fostering stakeholder cooperation, conducting feasibility studies, and modeling rural energy solutions.