Eco-Schools Program

Tool/methodology name:

The Eco-Schools Program, part of the global Eco-Schools initiative, is widely implemented in Bulgaria. It engages students, teachers, and the community in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Schools that participate work on projects related to energy conservation, waste management, and biodiversity protection, integrating these topics into the curriculum. The program uses a whole-school approach, encouraging student-led activities, environmental audits, and action plans to improve the school’s environmental impact. It fosters hands-on learning and community involvement.

Location:

Global

Type of initiative:

Climate change

Target groups

The main target group of this program are students. The program is designed for students of all age groups, from early childhood education through secondary school. It aims to engage students directly in environmental activities and projects, fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness from a young age. But also involves other stakeholders such as teachers, school staff, school Community and families.

Objectives

Promote Environmental Awareness and Education: The program aims to educate students about environmental issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, waste management, and energy conservation, through hands-on learning and integrated curriculum activities.

Encourage Sustainable Practices in Schools: One of the core objectives is to transform schools into models of sustainable living. This includes reducing waste, conserving energy, promoting recycling, and enhancing the natural environment of the school grounds.

Empower Students as Environmental Leaders: By engaging students in the decision-making process and encouraging them to take ownership of environmental projects, the program seeks to empower young people to become active leaders in promoting sustainability within their communities.

Foster a Whole-School Approach to Sustainability: The program advocates for a comprehensive approach where the entire school community—including students, teachers, staff, and parents—works together to achieve common environmental goals.

Connect Schools Globally on Environmental Issues: As part of a global network, Bulgarian schools participating in the Eco-Schools Program are encouraged to collaborate with other schools worldwide, sharing ideas, successes, and challenges in environmental education.

Description

Based on the ISO 14001/EMAS methodology, the "Ecoschools" program suggests putting in place an integrated system for environmental management in schools. It promotes instructors' and students' involvement in hands-on learning experiences that lessen negative environmental effects and energy and water usage. The actual savings make maintaining municipal and school budgets much easier. In the initial years following the program's introduction, the following topics are prioritized: "Water," "Waste," "Energy," "Transport," "Noise," "Nature and biodiversity," and "Healthy school life."

The "Ecoschools" program covers 7 mandatory elements that every school can adopt as a working methodology:

1. Creation of an Eco Committee.

2. Environmental review - monitoring the environment and establishing its condition.

3. Action plan.

4. Ecocode.

5. Control and evaluation.

6. Popularization of ideas and activities through mass media.

7. The main topics and the activities related to them should be included in the educational content and should be offered to the students in the classes of the different curricula.

Results

The educational institutions with the best results are distinguished with the prestigious award of the "Ecoschools" Program - "Green Flag".

Innovative elements

Additional information

Website