EKO SMART

<< Background >>THE MAIN OBJECTIVE of the project was to develop innovative methods and materials for working with youth in the field of environmental education. Needs for the use of new tools, including multimedia solutions, in non-formal education for youth workers were identified. These factors are driven by youth expectations and have challenged educators who previously had difficulty adapting content and form to the needs of youth. Therefore, the project provided direct support to educators, providing them with new scenarios and working tools that effectively encouraged young people to care about the environment in which they function. The project's assumptions responded to the real needs identified by all partners (survey IV.2021, group of 80 educators), which made it possible to identify the most important problems in Poland, Ireland and Lithuania, which largely coincided. The project leader, based on his activities and contacts with youth organizations, had knowledge of the need to create materials, guides and games in the field of environmental education, which was fully implemented.<< Objectives >>The specific objectives of the project were achieved by increasing knowledge and competence in sustainability among teachers, youth workers and young people themselves. The project also contributed to the development of non-formal education related to sustainable development. Reported needs for youth work materials were met through the creation of an open library of materials, scenarios and games that significantly strengthened environmental knowledge in partner countries and across Europe. These materials were targeted at children, youth and youth workers, ensuring a wide reach of the project's audience. Based on the experience gained at COP24 (a competition for elementary schools to develop an environmental education program), key thematic areas were defined: closed-loop economy (including food waste), waste segregation, climate change and biodiversity.<< Implementation >>The project realized the development of results of a universal nature, which are applicable at least on a European scale. The involvement of international experts made it possible to create products that are useful to users regardless of where they live, which is particularly important in the context of contemporary economic and environmental problems.<< Results >>During the implementation of the project, the following results were achieved:- thematic areas for environmental education of youth were developed;- scenarios for environmental workshops in each of the developed areas were created;- individual work sheets for each environmental topic were developed;- ppt presentations were created for each scenario;- interactive graphics were developed;- 3 international project meetings were held to share experiences and develop the results of intellectual work,- monthly teleconferences were held, which effectively supported the coordination and implementation of the project.