Ecological Initiative “Inclusive environmental management by inclusion of Grodno resident in the development and implementation of measures aimed at improving the quality of the environment and monitoring environmental risks in an educational multi-center of integrated support for the environmentally friendly lifestyle of local communities "URA Grodno!"

The ecological initiative won the Contest of ecological initiatives for funding and is funded in the framework of UNDP project “Civic engagement in environmental monitoring and improving environmental management at the local level”

Project Duration: 07.06.2019 – 07.12.2020

Project Members & Partners

Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno (Belarus)

State Educational Institution “Secondary school №12 of Grodno” (Belarus)

State Educational Institution “Kindergarten №45 of Grodno” (Belarus)

THE AIM OF THE INITIATIVE

Stimulate efficient and inclusive environmental management through civic engagement in the development and implementation of measures aimed at improving the environment and monitoring of environmental risks, which includes sharing environmental information, in particular in the field of ambient air quality.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

1. 1.Preparation and agreement of a regional plan for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities. Monitoring of the changes in attitudes of residents of Grodno city to the problems of ecology of the region. The plan consists of ecological educational activities integrated into the work plans of educational institutions, which are involved in the implementation of ecological initiatives, as well as ecological educational activities from the work plans of educational institutions and public organizations, which are additionally engaged into the implementation of ecological initiative.
2. 2.Equipping of the educational multi-center for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities “URA Grodno"

2.1   establishment of the educational mini-centre "Environmental Monitoring Laboratory" at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno

2.2   organizing 5 educational mini-centers “Green workshops", "Green class" with the installation of a garden house," Green foyer", "Energy" , "Water " at Secondary school №12 of Grodno

2.3   organizing 2 educational mini-centers "Little meteorologist" with a seclusion pavillion and "Ecology and health" with equipping of the territory with stands, phyto-garden beds, organization of tracks at “Kindergarten №45 of Grodno”

1. 3.Education activities of the educational multi-center for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities “URA Grodno"

3.1 7 practical workshops with using of the equipment of educational mini-center ”Environmental Monitoring Laboratory" at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno

3.2 6 theoretical trainings with demonstration of the work of the created educational mini-centers “Green workshops","Green class", "Green foyer", "Energy", "Water" at "Secondary School No. 12 of Grodno"

3.3 5 workshops in the created educational mini-centers "Little meteorologist" and "Ecology and health" at Kindergarten №45 of Grodno

3.4 5 workshops in the created educational mini-centers "Little meteorologist" and "Ecology and health" at Kindergarten №45 of Grodno

3.5 The organization of the ecological session of the school recreation camp at "Secondary School No. 12 of Grodno"

3.6 Seminar-training for teachers - organizers of educational practices "Modern approaches to the organization practices of education for sustainable development in the context of informal education"

3.7 Educational visit to Humboldt University in Berlin and institutions of secondary and preschool education in the structure of the University

3.8 Support of carrying out of the Summer Methodical School of Association "Education for Sustainable Development" (partner of ecological initiative)

3.9 Round table "Together along the path of sustainable development. Prospects for cooperation"

4. Conducting a series of information events on the territory of the ecological initiative in the framework of an educational multi-center for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities “URA Grodno"

4.1 Forum of ecological Initiatives

4.2 Regional Forum of Education for Sustainable Development with the participation of representatives of local government and authorities

4.3 Ecological educational campaign "Clean business"

4.4 Information campaign "Mini-project "Energy-efficient planet: define your position"

4.5 Inclusive Eco-bikequest, that is dedicated to Earth Day

PROJECT RESULTS

• Creation of an educational multi-center ensuring continuity of ecological education at the stages “kindergarten-school-university” and involving a large number of Grodno residents into the implementation of environmentally significant activities and actions.
• Activities to involve residents of the city of Grodno into the ecologically friendly lifestyle of local communities of Grodno are included in the annual work plans by Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, School №12, and Kindergarten №45. The annual work plans are approved by the Department of Education of Grodno City Executive Committee.
• The regional plan for the complex support of the ecologically friendly lifestyle of local communities of Grodno is drafted and approved by Grodno City Executive Committee.
• Orders for the approval of creation of additional jobs are signed: at least 3 jobs (full or part-time) are modified, not less than 8 specialists are additionally engaged (part-time work for an additional fee) /
• At least 1,470 people are interviewed during 2 questionings in Grodno. The survey covers two thematic areas: environmental education and environmentally ethical behavior and is aimed at identifying thematic areas where there is the potential to improve the environmental literacy of the population. The results are discussed at the meeting of the Public Environmental Coordination Council of Grodno region.
• Created and equipped the educational multi-center for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities “URA Grodno". The center will include the educational mini-centre "Environmental Monitoring Laboratory" at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, 5 educational mini-centers “Green workshops", "Green class" with the installation of a garden house," Green foyer", "Energy" , "Water " at Secondary school №12 of Grodno, 2 educational mini-centers "Little meteorologist" with a seclusion pavillion and "Ecology and health" with equipping of the territory with stands, phyto-garden beds, organization of tracks at “Kindergarten №45 of Grodno”
• 5 practical workshops conducted with the use of equipment of educational mini-center ”Environmental Monitoring Laboratory" at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, and not less than 2 field practical workshops in other institutions. At least 300 people are trained in monitoring techniques
• 6 theoretical trainings conducted with the use of equipment of the created educational mini-centers “Green workshops", "Green class", "Green foyer ", "Energy", "Water" at "Secondary School No. 12 of Grodno". Not less than 150 people in total are trained in ecological monitoring
• 10 practical workshops conducted at "Secondary School No. 12 of Grodno" with the use of educational mini-centers “Green workshops", "Green class", "Green foyer", "Energy", "Water", during which not less than 250 people are trained in monitoring techniques.
• 5 practical workshops are conducted in the "Kindergarten №45 of Grodno", using educational mini-centers "Little meteorologist" and "Ecology and health", during which not less than 140 people are trained in monitoring techniques.
• ecological session conducted during the school recreation camp at "Secondary School No. 12 of Grodno", including 5 environmental campaigns, two trainings, a game-trip along the ecological path, an exhibition of environmental posters, an information campaign and a flash mob in the micro district. As a result of the events, more than 500 residents of Grodno are engaged into eco-friendly lifestyle
• training seminar conducted for not less than 50 teachers of educational institutions and specialists of non-profit organizations. Not less than 50 participants got an insight into modern approaches to the organization of practices of education for sustainable development and materials from the work experience of partner institutions.
• 1 joint ecological action held by the representatives of the multi-center "URA- Grodno" and Humboldt University.
• Summer methodological school of the Association "Education for Sustainable Development" supported by the educational multi-center for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities “URA Grodno". As a result of carrying out of summer methodological school: the forms and areas of cooperation of teachers from various institutions in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection are defined for further including into the work plan for the multi-center “URA-Grodno” for the period 2021-2025.
• Developed work plan for the educational multi-center for the integrated support of the eco-friendly lifestyle of local communities “URA Grodno" for the period 2021-2025.
• Information materials (posters and booklets) published and distributed. The topics are: “Basics of energy saving”, “Responsible consumption”, “Ecological monitoring for everyone”, “Sustainable development in action”, “Education for sustainable development”, “Earth Day” , "Secondary Resource Consumption", etc.
• Forum of Ecological Initiatives held.
• ecological educational campaign "Clean business" conducted, consisting of several events connected together. The possibility of motivated participation of at least 3,000 Grodno residents in ecological practices is provided in total for all events of the ecological educational campaign.
• the information campaign "Mini-project "Energy-efficient planet: define your position" conducted, consisting of several events connected together. As a result of these activities a motivated participation in the ecological friendly lifestyle for at least 1000 residents of Grodno and students is provided and at least 2000 people (see breakdown below) are acquainted with the benefits and ways of energy-efficient lifestyle and the possibility of leisure activities with the benefit and without harm to the environment.
• an Inclusive Eco-bike quest held, timed to coincide with Earth Day (April 22), consisting of several interrelated events.