TOGETHER FOR A SUSTAINABLE EUROPE

The project was initiated in response to the need to inform, raise awareness, and educate young people about the responsible management of waste and the transition to a sustainable model based on the rational use of resources through the implementation of circular economy principles. It became evident that students need to understand and adopt practices for selective waste collection and recycling, given the limited perception of waste as mere worthless residues instead of resources with reusable potential. Our goal was to develop an ecological mindset, promote responsible environmental behavior, and prepare young people to acquire specific competencies related to the circular economy. We also sought to address the lack of a curriculum focused on this domain and the insufficiency of campaigns promoting sustainable models. We aimed to foster knowledge and attitudes that encourage the achievement of the "zero waste" goal and engage students in circular business initiatives. The project focused on strengthening collaboration between schools and the community while emphasizing the importance of disseminating sustainability concepts. It aimed to shape students as agents of change.

Through the implementation of this project, we aimed to address the need for education, awareness, and the development of skills essential for the transition to a sustainable model based on the principles of the circular economy. The project objectives reflected an ambitious vision of shaping a generation capable of understanding and tackling the complex challenges related to resource management, waste reduction, and promoting responsible consumption. We targeted the development of circular economy skills for at least 500 students from partner schools, thus establishing a solid foundation for fostering a global perspective on sustainability. At the same time, we sought to increase the level of awareness among participants and local communities by 30% regarding the production cycle, from raw materials to the final product, emphasizing the reduction of environmental impact. Creativity, critical thinking, and initiative were encouraged through the establishment of four circular economy-based companies, an endeavor that actively involved 50 students. The project also developed an innovative curriculum framework for teachers and students to integrate the concept of sustainability.

The activities carried out within the project included: Workshop for crafting various objects from recycled materials. Food waste management – a practical activity where students learned how to create compost. Soap-making workshop. School of the Future – architecture projects for environmentally friendly schools. Green Entrepreneurship/Sustainable Businesses – students designed and presented sustainable business ideas. They learned how to connect sustainable development with entrepreneurship and distinguish between conventional and sustainable entrepreneurship. Awareness campaigns: Students organized campaigns to raise public awareness about the environmental impact of production cycles and the importance of sustainable development. Calculating the environmental footprint. Creating a Kahoot quiz on responsible resource management. Visit to a paper production company to understand the paper production cycle. This activity highlighted the urgent need to reduce, reuse, and recycle paper. Developing four sustainable business plans based on circular economy principles. Creating the toolkit “Be the Agent of Climate Change.

Results of Work Package 2 - Developing Skills for Education for a Circular Economy 64 participants involved in activities: 44 students and 20 teachers 9 educational, practical, and awareness-raising activities conducted 4 "School of the Future" projects developed 1 Educational Guide on the Circular Economy 4 "Think Circular" clubs established Project website: https://t4se.ro/ Multimedia materials (videos, photos) Results of Work Package 3 - Reuse, Reduction, Recycling 2 awareness campaigns on sustainable production cycles Kahoot quiz on responsible resource management Objects created from recycled materials 1 eTwinning project 57 participants involved in activities: 41 students and 16 teachers Results of Work Package 4 - Green Circular Companies 4 sustainable business models designed and presented 1 project film created Project Facebook page 67 participants involved in activities: 52 students and 15 teachers Results of Work Package 5 - Be the Climate Change Agent Toolkit "Be the Agent of Climate Change" Green online game "AMELIA" 500 users of the toolkit and visitors to the project website