|
| General Description |
| Title |
|
Eco-Schools |
| Status |
|
Ongoing |
| From |
|
1994 |
| To |
|
2005 |
| Country(ies) |
|
Belgium
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Malta
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Norway
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Türkiye
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Region(s) |
|
Africa
Central and Eastern Europe
Latin America and the Caribbean
Western Europe and Others |
|
| Participating Organization(s) |
| Lead Organization(s) |
|
Foundation for Environmental Education |
| Type of Implementing Agency(ies) |
|
Educational Institutions/Universities |
| Other Collaborating Organizations |
|
Private Sector Partners include: Bureau Veritas, Natura Pura, Papelaco Telematica and Pararede. Other institutional partners and sponsor include: UNEP, Scottish Executive, North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and the European Commission |
| Main Target Groups or Audience |
|
|
| Job Title |
|
Eco-Schools International Coordination |
| Organization |
|
Foundation for Environmental Education |
| Address |
|
C/o ABAE/FEE Portugal Edificio Bartolomeu Dias, 11, 1o Gab. 8 |
|
|
Doca de Alcantara |
| Postal Code |
|
1350-352 |
| City |
|
Lisboa |
| Country |
|
Portugal |
| Telephone |
|
351213942745 |
| Fax |
|
351213942749 |
| E-mail Address |
|
coordination@eco-schools.org |
| Web Site |
|
www.fee-international.org |
|
| Funding |
| Source of Funding |
|
Multilateral |
| Funding Agency |
|
A variety of partners including corporate and institutional sponsors |
|
| Goals and Objectives |
| Overall Goal |
|
The Eco-Schools Programme aims to raise students’ awareness of environmental and related sustainable development issues through classroom study together with school and community action, and provides an integrated system for environmental management of schools based on an ISO14001/EMAS approach. |
| Specific Objectives |
|
As a process of facilitating sustainable development at a local level, pupils are encouraged to take an active role in practical steps to reduce the environmental impact of the school. Eco-Schools thus extends learning beyond the classroom and develops responsible attitudes and commitment both at home and in the wider community. The Eco-Schools Green Flag, awarded to schools with high achievement in their Programme, is a recognised and respected eco-label for environmental education and performance. |
|
| Scope and Activities |
| National Level Activities |
|
The Programme incorporates seven elements which schools at any level can adopt as a methodology. These elements have been designed to be the core of the Eco-Schools process, yet the structure is flexible enough to be adopted in any country, and at any level of schools’ previous environmental achievement. Pupil involvement throughout the process is an integral and essential factor. The participation of other stakeholders in the school and community in the decision-making process is an important step towards dialogue and cooperation, providing a good basis for citizenship education. This flexible system, with its pedagogic and practical elements, has made Eco-Schools a very successful programme with clear and tangible benefits to schools and communities, and of course to teachers and young people. |
| International-Level Activities |
|
There are about 10.000 Eco-Schools in 27 countries in Europe, Africa, and in South America at present. This number is growing as more and more schools take up the challenge and work towards improving their environment through education and action. Newsletters, email news and the online projects keep schools in touch and aware of developments throughout the network, and periodic international events are organised for personal and direct contact. Eco-Schools programme may be known by different names in different countries, though they share the same methodology and concept, and are identified by the Eco-Schools logo and Green Flag. |
|
| Outcomes and Lessons Learned |
| Outcomes |
|
The Eco-Schools International Coordination is presently working together with its Partners on two main projects aimed at bringing schools together from around the world, and assessing the environmental effect of young peoples' and teachers efforts in and around the school area.
Eco-Schools Itinerary and Linking System - aims at providing an "Itinerary" where schools can visit each other virtually, and understand some of the characteristics of other schools within their regional contexts. The project can also be used to identify schools with similar projects or interests, and for creating "links" between schools in different countries.
Schools Environmental Performance Indicator Project-aims to measure schools' environmental performance, and can be used as a tool in the Eco-Schools evaluation strategy, both at the school and programme level. Initially web-based, the project allows schools, in a first phase, to submit data on energy and water consumption and view results at different scales. |
| References |
|
http://www.eco-schools.org |
| |
| |
