Learning, Sharing, and Going Green: Hands-on cooperation in an Erasmus+ small scale project
The project Go Green: learning about sustainability and responsible consumption (2022-1-ES01-KA210-ADU-000082169) is a small-scale project funded by Erasmus+. The project aims to create and learn small green practices that everyone can implement in their daily life. The leading organization is Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Loja (Spain), and the partners are Ljudska univerza Ormož (Slovenia) and Valo-Valmennusyhdistys ry (Finland).
In a world increasingly conscious of environmental issues, initiatives promoting sustainable practices have become essential. One such initiative is an Erasmus+ small-scale project within the realm of adult education, focusing on green practices. This blog post takes you through the kick-off meeting of this project, where project staff and adult learners from three different countries converged to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and embark on a journey toward a greener future.
Accompanied by some snowfall, the project team, including adult learners, from three countries (Spain, Slovenia and Finland) came together in Jyväskylä (Finland) in early May 2023.
Day 1: Seeds of Inspiration
The kick-off meeting commenced with a buzz of anticipation and enthusiasm as participants from the three organizations and countries gathered in one place. The meeting offered a unique platform for participants to introduce their respective organizations and highlight existing green practices. Presentations were made by representatives from each country, providing insights into their projects, initiatives, and success stories, serving as inspiration for the collective endeavor ahead. Let’s explore some of the presented practices.
Some ideas for sustainable gifts
Spanish Team: Connecting with Nature through Hiking
The Spanish team shared their experience of organizing hiking expedition in their local area. By exploring nature firsthand, participants not only engaged in physical activity but also deepened their understanding of the local environment and plant life. This immersive approach allowed individuals to develop a profound appreciation for nature's beauty and reinforced the importance of preserving and protecting it.
Spanish team introducing Escuela de Idiomas Oficial de Loja and their experience hiking
Slovenian Team: Seed Library for Sustainable Planting
The Slovenian team introduced an intriguing concept - a seed library. Functioning on the principle of reciprocity, the library allows community members to borrow seeds for planting, and in return, they are encouraged to save and return seeds from the plants they cultivate. This sustainable approach to agriculture promotes seed diversity, fosters community engagement, and ensures the preservation of traditional and heirloom varieties for future generations.
Seeds from Slovenian seed library
Finnish Team: Guide to Green Practices
The Finnish team presented a comprehensive guide to green practices that they had developed prior to the project. This guide served as a foundation for the project, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for sustainable living. The guide would serve as a basis for the project development work, enhancing the collective understanding of sustainable practices.
By showcasing these remarkable initiatives, the kick-off meeting exemplified the richness and diversity of green practices across different countries. The Spanish team's focus on nature exploration, the Slovenian team's innovative seed library, and the Finnish team's comprehensive guide all contributed to a wealth of knowledge that would shape the future trajectory of the project.
Apart from sharing achievements and existing practices, the meeting also addressed important administrative matters. Discussions focused on project goals, timelines, resource allocation, and coordination between participants. The goal of discussion of the administrative issues is to build a solid foundation for collaboration and enable the project team to work seamlessly together as the project unfolds.
Simultaneously, the adult learners participated in a cooking workshop in which they made a delicious meal on low cost out of waste-food.
A delicious meal was cooked in a sustainable and economical way using waste food
Day 2: Exploring Green Practices Hands-On
The second day of the kick-off meeting brought participants together in an interactive and practical session led by a local co-counsellor. The goal was to engage participants in sustainable practices by demonstrating how to create reusable cotton pads using two techniques: crochet and sewing.
The co-facilitator guided the group through the step-by-step process, encouraging collaboration and sharing of knowledge among participants. The crochet technique demonstrated how yarn could be transformed into soft, reusable cotton pads, while the sewing technique showcased the art of repurposing fabric to create durable and eco-friendly alternatives to disposable products.
This workshop was also a practical demonstration of the co-counsellor’s professional knowledge and skills, one of the co-counsellors in Valo’s Jyväskylä team. The process consists of work-based learning and a final stage of demonstration of the skills which is evaluated by the work-place instructor. As a result the learner will get a vocational education qualification unit.
Sustainable cotton pads in making
The hands-on activity on the second day exemplified the project's commitment to practical implementation. Participants not only gained valuable skills but also experienced firsthand the positive impact of adopting green practices.
Discovering new technoiques
As the project progresses, the knowledge and experiences gained during the kick-off meeting will lay the groundwork for future endeavors. By nurturing a international network of individuals and organizations dedicated to sustainable living and adult education, this project promises to be a catalyst for positive change, not only within the participating organizations but also within the wider community. By bringing together diverse participants from three countries, the kick poff meeting created a platform for cross-cultural learning and collaboration. Through presentations and discussions, participants shared valuable insights and ideas, fostering a spirit of innovation and commitment to sustainable practices.
Jaana Härkönen, international coordinator, Valo-Valmennusyhdistys (Finland)
Kommentit
Lähetä kommentti