Connecting Europe and Latin America for Darker, Healthier Nights: VET EcoLume Sustainable Lighting Summit in Envigado
From 5 to 9 October 2026, the VET EcoLume project team gathered in Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia, for the Sustainable Lighting Summit, an international event bringing together partners from Europe and Latin America. Hosted with the Municipality of Envigado, the summit focused on a challenge that is often overlooked: light pollution and its effects on ecosystems, fauna, flora and human health.
The week opened with an academic session at Uniremington University. Partners were welcomed with an institutional presentation, followed by a session on the project’s digital curriculum for sustainable lighting education. The morning continued with a creative LEGO Serious Play activity, where participants built and shared ideas for the future of green skills in vocational education and training.
The second working day moved to the CAM building in Envigado and was dedicated to institutional dialogue. Local authorities opened the day by presenting the municipality’s environmental progress, and an international master class by Fundación Cielos de Chile explored the global impact of artificial light, the importance of nocturnal protection and best practices from Chile. The day concluded with the workshop “Nudging the Night”, in which participants worked together on a joint manifesto with ideas for reducing the impact of artificial light on ecosystems and communities.
The programme culminated with the 10th Symposium of Protected Areas. Experts and institutions presented on light pollution, its challenges and obstacles, the ecosystem services and biodiversity of Envigado, and the protection of dark skies, including international certifications and astrotourism. In the afternoon, the delegation and consortium members travelled to the rural area of Envigado for the experience “Tradition and Conservation”, meeting a local host and exploring how biodiversity conservation connects with local culture and heritage.
The summit showed how education, local institutions and international cooperation can work together to protect the night. VET EcoLume continues to build training resources that equip vocational education professionals with the knowledge and green skills needed to promote responsible and sustainable lighting.
We thank the Municipality of Envigado, all speakers and every partner for a week of learning, exchange and inspiration.
Learn more about the project: https://vet-ecolume.eu/
