Partnership in implementation of the project: “School Green Action for Better Future”

June 8, 2012- NDC Skopje in partnership with Analytica successfully implemented the project: “School Green Action for Better Future”. The project was coordinated by Mr. Veton Zekolli- Project Manager at NDC Skopje and Ms. Ana Stojilovska- Research Fellow of the Energy and Infrastructure Program at Analytica.

The project was financially supported by the Regional Environment Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) with support of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and the Ministry for Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia.

Project duration: 15 November 2011 – 8 June 2012

Target group: The target group of this project is pupils of I-V grade in the two primary schools “Rajko Zhinzifov” – Skopje and “Shemshevo”- Jegunovce and their teachers. Second target group is the remaining pupils in the two schools, the parents and civil servants in the municipalities Cair and Jegunovce working in the education domain. The goal of the project was to contribute to awareness raising among the pupils of IV grade and to support acquiring eco-friendly habits with the overall aim of contributing to sustainable development and developing greater sensitivity towards the environment from youngest age.

Green Pack Junior is a specially designed tool for education on environmental issues for pupils of I-V grade with the aim of increasing the awareness about sustainable development in the schools in Macedonia. It will be used as a learning material in the primary schools as of 2012/2013. Its draft version was used as a basis for preparing the classes and activities for this project with the aim of getting the target group’s feedback. The Pack is composed of 12 topics, each topic containing set of games, questions and various activities for the pupils of youngest age.

Project activities and outputs:

– Practical outdoor and class activities including materials and topics from Green Pack Junior.

– More than 50 such classes were held and total of 9 topics from the Pack were used.

– The teachers and pupils were supplied with materials from the Pack and other materials for the purpose of organizing and implementing the classes.

– Topics used from Green Pack Junior included Connections, Atmosphere, Water, Soil, Energy, Biodiversity, Resources, Consumption and waste and Health. The choice of topics was made in close cooperation with the teachers in accordance with their working programs and the needs and interest of the pupils.

Project results:

• The targeted pupils’ increased knowledge and practical skills on environmental issues;

• The targeted pupils’ increased eco-awareness and acquired eco-habits;

• The targeted pupils’ and teachers’ familiarization with the Green Pack Junior;

• Received the targeted teachers’ feedback for the Green Pack Junior;

• Improved cooperation between the targeted pupils, teachers, parents and the civil society organizations.