The programme is starting to deliver results, with Cyprus school children at the forefront of the effort
The environment and its preservation on our planet have been at the heart of coordinated efforts for many years now, by institutions and community groups as well as by individual citizens who hope they can, in some way, help address the climate crisis.
In Cyprus, an initiative by the Environmental and Sustainable Development Education Unit appears, after years of effort, to be bearing fruit. The Unit’s “I Go Green” project aims to mobilise communities of children and schools to plant greenery and trees as part of their educational activities, creating a pocket of green space within their neighbourhood.
"We want our schools to deliver climate resilient conditions that will improve both the learning performance and achievement of students, but at the same time provide them with interactive learning and entertainment," says Aravella Zachariou, Head of the Cyprus Environment and Sustainable Development Education Unit (CSEU).
The “I Go Green” initiative has been warmly embraced by schools and students, as well as by the families living around them. Parents and grandparents are drawing even closer to the children, working together for a better and greener future.
So far, 44 schools in Cyprus are participating in the programme, with selection based primarily on the project’s long-term sustainability.
Those in charge choose schools that have a plan for maintaining their green spaces, and they first conduct a study of the plants to be planted in each area to ensure they can thrive.
"Basically, after the first two years of operation, the programme is operating through national funds. It helps create communities that are more sustainable, more equitable and healthier," says Arabella Zachariou.
'Together for the Earth'
As part of Erasmus Week, the Agrokipia Primary School had the pleasure of hosting students and teachers from schools in Catalonia, Spain.
"I think these activities are very good for environmental protection and help the children involved to learn things from other schools and other countries. In Catalonia, we have similar initiatives; we go to the forest, participate in different activities and many other things," said young Arnaud Arxe.
"It is important to go beyond the boundaries of local communities so that other countries and schools can see your goals and be inspired by such ideas and movements. In this way, we can apply them in our own schools and families. In reality, it’s a goal that concerns the whole world," said the music teacher of the Catalan school, Maria Soler.
In a creative and collaborative atmosphere, the song "Together for the Earth" was born, a message of unity and environmental awareness.
These are the lyrics of the song:
Catalonia and Cyprus has planned,
caring for the Earth and land.
If we care, if we try,
we can keep the world alive!
Plant together, hand in hand,
save the Earth, protect the land.
One small step can change it all,
the little changes are powerful!
Interest in the project from countries and institutions
The UN, UNESCO, Greece, Serbia and the Netherlands, among others, have shown interest in the project, which costs around €500,000 per year.
The funds are secured in Cyprus through European grants, while volunteers offer their expertise in construction-related fields so that green spaces can be created in schools and neighbourhoods in a proper and sustainable way.
There is even hope that very soon the “I Go Green” initiative will expand through international organisations to many countries around the world.
See the photos of green actions in schools and neighbourhoods in Cyprus here.
Thank you to Konstantinos Patsalidis, George Avraam and Mrs Arabella Zachariou for providing the pictures.