Be Smart, Be Green!

"<< Background >>The project started from the need to make the students from the partner schools take responsibility towards the environment and contribute to sustainable development and protection of the environment. It is a very complex matter and the actions with a noteworthy impact often come from the central decision-makers (governments, major polluters etc.). However, educating the younger generation at an early age on environmental issues and raising their awareness about pollution, biodiversity and even their own person can make a significant contribution to solving these problems.The awareness of all citizens about the problems caused by pollution is extremely important, because many of the environmental problems (water pollution, soil pollution, improper waste disposal) are the result of a wrong attitude, which is mostly based on either indifference or on the lack of knowledge. The implementation of this project, which means the involvement of 530 students and 82 teachers from six countries located in different geographical areas with various environmental problems, will have a favorable impact on the local communities involved.<< Objectives >>The overall aim was to help students acquire key European skills through the use of outdoor learning tools and ICT, familiarizing them with environmental issues around them and making them aware of the responsibility we all have towards nature and natural resources. As the project addressed a widespread and important problem identified at EU level, we was not be able to find solutions to all problems, but we aimed to make a deliberate effort to educate young people to be more aware and responsible citizens.The proposed objectives of the project were:O1. Developing a responsible behavior of school communities participating in the project towards environmental protection;O2. Raising the awareness of the students involved in the project regarding climate change and its effects on the environment and human life;O3. Increasing students' responsibility towards their own health and well-being, by involving them in specific activities in the project.O4. Improving the digital and linguistic skills of students and teachers participating in the project;O5. Developing the civic, participatory and responsible attitude of students as a result of involvement in the project.<< Implementation >>During the two years of the project, each partner school organized 45 activities on sustainable development, mobility and dissemination activities:- the logo contest; - the establishment of the Eco Patrol;- the consumer's diary;- workshops with an environmental specialist;-two workshops with school management teams;- Christmas in a sustainable way;- the green competition (selective collection campaign);-ideas for a green city;-workshops organized by members of the Eco Patrol with colleagues;- the old seasons (interviews with older memebers of the families, essays);-workshops with specialist doctors (allergist);-natural disasters nowaday and future scenarios;- the movie ""What if?"";- the out-door week;-Christmas for animals;- sports competitions;- The fruits and vegetables week;- natural reserves in the local horizon - virtual exhibition;- plays performed by students;-workshop with a nutritionist;-workshop with a psychologist.Dissemination campaigns were organized on the occasion of Erasmus Days, Earth Day, etc.Four student mobility activities were organized: in Italy, Spain, North Macedonia and Lithuania, a teacher mobility in Romania and a project management meeting in Turkey were held.<< Results >>During the two years of project implementation, the following final results were achieved:- a guide to reducing the consumption of resources in homes;- action plans to reduce the consumption of resources in schools;- The book with literary creations made by students ""Nature in words""-""Old Seasons"" interviews with older members of the community, about the differences between the current seasons and the old seasons;- Education Program for Sustainable Development - guide with proposed lessons for different subjects;- public policy recommendations for local authorities;- a medicinal plant guide;- a guide with recommendations for a healthy lifestyle;- virtual exhibitions with students' projects, on the topic of local biodiversity;- the movie ""What if...?""- the book ""Biodiversity in roles"" with plays written by students, on the topic of biodiversity;- Projects made by students on the theme ""Ideas for a green city""-exhibition of products made by students from recyclable materials (sustainable Christmas gifts);- shelters for animals made from recyclable products;- the e-book of the project;- a web page and a Facebook page;"