Green Leaders For Sustainability

"<< Background >>We observed that there is a need for innovative methods to raise awareness about environmental and climate crisis among children and youth. The extreme weather events, forest fires, and decrease in water resources in recent years have prompted us to take action.Our research showed that young people do not have sufficient knowledge about environmental problems and have low motivation to take action. However, young people are one of the groups that will be most affected by climate change. There was a need for innovative methods that would increase young people's knowledge and awareness of environmental and climate issues and promote sustainable lifestyles. We thought that gamification and interactive learning techniques could be effective. We also identified that youth workers, trainers, and teachers needed up-to-date and engaging educational tools. To meet these needs, we developed the ""Green Games for Sustainability"" project. Our aim was to create games and educational tools that would raise awareness on environmental and climate issues, disseminate them, and mobilize young people.<< Objectives >>1. Increase environmental and climate change awareness among young people: We aimed to raise consciousness and encourage sustainable choices among youth through the games and educational tools we developed.2. Create innovative educational tools: With the ""Green Games Toolkit,"" we provided youth workers, trainers, and teachers with effective materials they can use in environmental education.3. Raise awareness about the Green Deal: We aimed to increase the knowledge level of civil society and public institutions about environmental policies.4. Strengthen international cooperation: By working with partners from different countries, we aimed to create a Europe-wide network.5. Promote the use of gamification and digital tools: We aimed to make our developed methods reach a wide audience.6. Encourage youth to active citizenship: We aimed for young people who become aware of environmental issues to approach societal problems with sensitivity.7. Contribute to the European Green Deal: We aimed for our project outputs to contribute to the EU's environmental goals.With these objectives, we aimed to achieve concrete outputs and ensure the long-term impact of the project.<< Implementation >>Within the scope of our project, we carried out the following main activities:- Project Kick-off Meeting: We came together in Istanbul with 2 people from each partner, totaling 6 people, to detail the project plan and determine our strategies.- Green Games Development Camp: In a 7-day camp in North Macedonia, 6 participants from each partner received training on gamification and environmental education, and developed new games.- Creating the Green Games Toolkit: Using the outputs of the camp, we prepared a comprehensive training kit containing games for environmental and climate change awareness.- Project Mid-term Evaluation Meeting: We evaluated the project's progress and made adjustments in Cologne.- Multiplier Event: In a 3-day event in Istanbul, we introduced the toolkit and experienced the games. Representatives from NGOs, public institutions, and schools participated.- Project Evaluation and Closing Meeting: In North Macedonia, we evaluated all activities and determined our sustainability strategy.- Dissemination Activities: We disseminated our project outputs through social media, press releases, and website.<< Results >>Concrete outputs and results of our project:1. Green Games Toolkit: Our main output containing 20 different environmental and climate change games. It includes detailed explanations, material lists, and learning objectives.2. Green Games Development Camp: 24 youth workers, trainers, and teachers improved their capacities in game design and environmental education.3. Multiplier Event: We held it in Skopje with 80+ participants and ensured that participants gained detailed knowledge about the games.4. Project Website: https://greenleaders.tugva.org/ An important resource for sustainability, containing all outputs and results.5. International Partnership Network: Strong cooperation among organizations from 3 countries.6. New Project Ideas: 3 new ideas that can be implemented in the future.These outputs demonstrated that our project achieved its goals and made a significant contribution to environmental education."