Until 10 September we invite applications for the prestigious “Zelta čiekurs” forest sector annual award, which aims to highlight and honour the sector's most outstanding representatives and their contribution to the development of the Latvian forest sector. Each year, the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Forest Owners' Association and the Latvian Forest Industry Federation, honours the best foresters, timber industry professionals, scientists and other representatives of the forest sector.

This year, applications can be submitted in the following categories:

• “For lifetime achievement”,
• “For innovative enterprise”,
• “For contribution to public education”,
• “For contribution to the development of the sector”.

The winners of the “For sustainable management” category are determined by the Forest Owners' Association competition “Sakoptākais mežs”, which is already under way and has reached its second selection round.

Applications for the “Zelta čiekurs” annual award may be submitted by state and local government institutions, as well as by companies, organisations and sector professionals. We invite everyone who cares about the achievements of the forest sector to put forward their candidates for the award.

The regulations, application form and category assessment criteria for the “Zelta čiekurs” forest sector annual award are available in the “Meža nozares gada balva “Zelta čiekurs”” section of the Ministry of Agriculture website.

Please send applications for all categories to the email address pasts@zm.gov.lv, or by post as a registered letter, by 10 September this year (date of receipt).