Think Globally, Act Locally

"<< Background >>We applied for this project to address the urgent need for environmental awareness and education, particularly among children. We believe it is our responsibility as educators to cultivate environmentally sensitive individuals who can contribute to a sustainable future.The project targeted several critical needs, including the enhancement of environmental knowledge and skills among students, especially those with special needs, immigrants, refugees, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, we identified a need for improved pedagogical and digital competencies among teachers to support inclusive education.Our initiative aimed to create an international open education environment to enhance the environmental knowledge, skills, and attitudes of our target group. We have established a partnership with organisations committed to environmental issues and experienced in working with disadvantaged students, ensuring that we could effectively meet our goals.The project partnership consisted of institutions dedicated to both environmental sustainability and inclusive education. << Objectives >>By implementing the project, we aimed to achieve several key objectives. First, we sought to make environmental education engaging and relevant, moving beyond the limitations of the standard curriculum to foster eco-friendly behaviours among students. Our focus on the green theme was intended to create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment.Second, we aimed to improve the educational experience for disadvantaged students, including those with special needs, immigrants, and refugees. By enhancing inclusivity, we wanted to ensure that learning is accessible, productive, and interesting for all pupils.Finally, we focused on developing the pedagogical and digital competencies of staff at partner institutions. This professional growth is essential for effectively delivering inclusive and innovative environmental education, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.<< Implementation >>In our project, we implemented a variety of activities designed to enhance ecological awareness and foster inclusive education. Each partner carried out initiatives tailored to their local context, focusing on two main issues: the relationship between our daily habits and ecology, effective waste management, and the introduction of outdoor education, particularly in relation to teaching students with special needs.We organised two transnational project meetings (TPMs)—one conducted virtually by the Turkish team and the other held physically in Estonia. These meetings included discussions and hands-on workshops on creating inclusive educational environments, applying effective methods for working with children with special needs, and addressing our project's main themes of sustainability and environmentally friendly habits.Additionally, we carried out two student mobilities, one in Poland and another in Lithuania. During these mobilities, students engaged in hands-on activities such as setting up school gardens and participating in environmental-related events, plays, and competitions focused on environmental protection and ecological practices.<< Results >>We established school gardens and integrated elements of outdoor education into school curricula, which enhanced ecological awareness and provided practical learning experiences. These gardens served as a hands-on resource for teaching Ss about sustainability and the importance of conserving natural resources.We encouraged Ss to reflect on their roles in environmental protection and introduced alternative recycling methods, promoting a culture of sustainability within the community. This initiative also motivated staff to broaden their methodologies in line with the project's goals.School leaders were empowered to adopt a European perspective, fostering long-lasting relationships among Ss from different countries. The international exchanges provided Turkish and Estonian Ss with first experiences abroad, allowing them to engage in lg learning and teamwork in diverse environments. Ss with special needs transitioned from staying in hotels to living with host families, further enriching their intercultural experiences.The project not only assisted in achieving the EU's goals of ""Environmental and Climate Action"" but also equipped Ss with essential lifeskills enhancing their motivation to learn and collaborate internationally."