Networking and supporting ecological work

We applied for this project with the aim of promoting ecological awareness and sustainable practices in everyday life. Our main objective was to question the use of natural resources and consumption habits and to develop environmentally responsible activities in both private and professional settings. The project aimed to create local initiatives and platforms where these ecological practices could be implemented and involve a wide range of social groups. To achieve these goals, we focused on the target audience that already had access to relevant environments and educational institutions and direct access to individuals with limited opportunities, such as teachers, educators, NGO staff, and social workers. We addressed the specific needs of this target group, learned and applied various methods for conveying ecological values, visited "green" organizations and places, conducted professional knowledge exchanges, and connected participants on both local and international levels.

With the implementation of the project, our main intention was to enhance the participants' awareness of environmental conservation. This was accomplished through training sessions where methods for conveying ecological values were learned and practically applied. Another objective was to connect the participants on both a local and international level, enabling them to identify ecological issues in their respective local contexts and collaboratively seek solutions in the form of small projects. As a result of this initiative, the goal was to initiate and implement up to 30 follow-up projects by the participants in their work environments. These measures were aimed at reaching individuals with limited opportunities and actively involving them in the projects. The most successful projects were intended to be presented to the public at various local and international events and published on different internet platforms. The project outcomes were to be multiplied within the context of educational and nonprofit organizations and made accessible to the broader public.

As part of our project, we conducted the following activities: Kick-off Meeting on April 19, 2022. Training in Germany from June 30 to July 4, 2022. Training in Greece from August 25 to 28, 2022. Results assessment from September to November 2022. Dissemination activities, including events on September 14, 2022, in Berlin, on November 1, 2022, in Athens, on November 4, 2022, in Athens, and on November 25, 2022, in Berlin. Additionally, regular activities were carried out until February 2023.

Two training sessions were conducted with 46 German-Greek participants. The results include: 1. Implementation and assessment of educational approaches, including the fundamentals of nature and experiential learning, creative crafting from recycled materials, and movement and interaction practices. 2. Conveying the basics of project management to assist participants in carrying out their projects and identifying necessary resources. 3. Implementation of 18 group projects in schools, refugee accommodations, NGOs, kindergartens, and public spaces both in Germany and Greece. 4. Dissemination of knowledge and results in the social and professional environments of the participants. 5. Acquisition of intercultural competencies by employees from more than 10 institutions in Germany and Greece. 6. Networking and knowledge exchange with various organizations such as Nature Companions, La Foresta, Kulturschafft e.V., NachbarschaftsEtage, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelterziehung ("Environmental School in Europe"), Greenpeace, Save Your Hood (GR), Floating University, Haus der Materialisierung, Kmop: Greek Civic Society. 7. Hosting local presentation and networking events, including the "Make Smthng Event," the "Fest Osloer Strasse,"