CZYSTE MIASTO GDAŃSK EDUCATIONAL PROJECT- Program for the Development of Ecological Competencies
About this good practice
The programme applies education ranging from the issue of conscious consumption to the methods of final waste management and its impact on the environment.
Knowing the rules of waste segregation and applying them on a daily basis is our starting point. Responsible behaviour aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources means, above all, conscious shopping, waste prevention and minimization, giving away unnecessary items to those in need, reusing, repairing, proper transfer of non-standard waste and many other pro-environmental attitudes.
The programme pursues four closely related strategic goals:
1. Comprehensive education of entire age groups of Gdańsk students in the field of proper waste management, in accordance with the principles of the closed-loop system - circular economy
2. Implementation of a long-term pro-development process aimed at reversing the process of lowering the competencies of students in senior classes in relation to the level developed at the earlier stage of primary education
3. Developing a high level of ecological awareness and sensitivity to motivate to act in protecting the environment
4. Preparing the young generation for independent and natural application of the principles of responsible and conscious waste management in adult life
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries are schoolchildren, as well as their families and the people to whom they pass on the acquired knowledge.
Resources needed
The resources contributing include an experienced team of educators and appropriate locations of classes (environmental education workshop + waste sorting structure at the Recycling Plant).
Programme implementation gross cost from 2019 r.: 300.358,22 PLN paid from the own funds of Municipality.
Evidence of success
The programme has been running since 2019. After the introduction of III levels of the Programme (I–dedicated to pre-grade &2nd-grade pupils, II–to 4th & 6th-grade, III- to 8th-grade), we see the need to further expand the Programme by adding level IV, addressed to 2nd-grade students of secondary schools. Classes will be held at the Clean Energy Port in Gdańsk and will be based on the operation of a waste incineration plant.
Over 20,000 students have been educated under the Programme to date.
Potential for learning or transfer
During the implementation of smaller and larger projects, it was confirmed that children and teenagers are hungry for knowledge, easily assimilate it, ask questions about the global ecological crisis and, at the same time, bring their observations and new experiences home after school and share them with other family members. Kindergartens and schools are places we want to reach in order to educate entire age groups of Gdańsk students. In addition, our long-term observations indicated that the biggest problem is to maintain the continuity of the waste education process and to effectively reinforce pro-ecological habits. Young people often enter adulthood insufficiently formed in this area.
Many local governments initiate similar projects. Nevertheless, such comprehensive waste education as we implement does not function in the school core curriculum, nor is it extracurricular anywhere else.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
