Implementing the Health Education Plan (HEP) in schools as a way to encourage connection with nature

By project GREENHEALTH

Published on 23 July 2024

Spain

Región de Murcia

About this good practice

The institutions responsible for Education and Health must implement effective common strategies aimed at improving risk behaviours of the educational community, mainly those related to the environment, nutrition, physical activity, the use of new technologies, addictions, etc. It is also necessary to support and motivate the activity of teachers to achieve the stable and effective development of the HEP. A joint legally binding instrument has been approved for the coordination of competencies related to health education in schools. Through it, a Coordination Commission on Health Education in Non-University Educational Centres was created (CCHE), which allows intersectoral coordination and facilitates the implementation and development of the HEP at schools. Since 2017 the CCHE has been launching calls for health promotion and education projects within the framework of the HEP. These plans allow Murcian educational centres to improve the health of the educational community. Eligible projects include those that seek to improve contact with nature and to carry out activities in parks and protected areas. This can be a way to promote green health and raise awareness of biodiversity protection among children.
The main stakeholders involved are the Regional Ministry of Health and the Regional Ministry of Education and Culture. The main beneficiaries are the school population and the educational community.

Resources needed

50.000,00 € for launching the yearly call for projects. Creation and operation of a Coordination Commission on Health Education in Non-University Educational Centres (CCHE) to encourage, promote, facilitate the development of the Health Education Plan and for establishing the funding mechanisms.

Evidence of success

Educational Centres have gradually joined the programme through annual funding calls. There have been 7 annual calls for HEP projects since 2017, including the last one, 2023-2024 course. 531 schools have participated in the programme for at least one school year, which represents 80.4% of the total number of beneficiaries in the Region of Murcia. Implementation of successful education projects at schools that include activities in nature (e.g. ECOPRINCIPE project, “Siente Mediterráneo”).

Potential for learning or transfer

Linking green health and education involves working on the interconnected relations of the interested stakeholders, so, it is crucial to establish a commitment of cooperation between them. In this case, the Regional Ministries of Health and of Education have done it through signing a common binding Order. Thus, it is a good example of stakeholders’ coordination, which has proved its success with hundreds of projects implemented throughout the life of the HEP, running since 2006 due to the interest of the educational community.
The signing of an agreement, setting out the interests and commitments of each party, is a best practice (and even necessary) 1st step for any region wishing to start working on the issue. Its model and content can be adaptable and replicable. The creation of a CCHE is recommended to facilitate the fulfillment of its objectives. The activation of a funding mechanism to promote projects in schools is considered necessary and has great potential for transfer.