Engaging the youth of today to protect the climate of tomorrow

Eco-Schools

What is Eco-Schools?

• Run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). FEE promotes sustainable development through 5 environmental education programmes (Eco-Schools, Learning about Forests (LEAF),Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), Green Key and Blue Flag

• International programme

• Aim: Encourage young people to engage in their environment by allowing them

the opportunity to actively protect it.

Where is Eco-Schools?

Important partners

It all starts in the classroom

• Include everyoneCombining learning with hands-on experiences, the whole programme is run according to an all-inclusive, participatory approach involving students,  teachers and the local community at large.

• Improve school environmentsThe Eco-Schools programme is an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path towards improving the environmental footprint of a school, a change which inevitably leads to a more sustainable, less costly and more responsible school environment.

• MotivateEco-Schools challenges students to engage in tackling environmental problems at a level where they can see tangible results, spurring them on to realise that they really can make a difference.

• Improve attitudes Eco-Schools instills in students a sense of responsibility and cultivates a sustainable mindset which they can apply on a daily basis. It equips those involved with the drive to really make a difference and to spread such proactive behaviour amongst family and friends, ultimately passing it on to future generations.

• Involve communitiesEco-Schools places great emphasis on involving the local community from the very beginning. By doing so, the lessons the students pick up are transferred back into the community where they take hold and lead to more sustainable, environmentally responsible behaviour patterns all round.

• Connect GloballyEco-Schools facilitates contact between participating institutions not just at the national level, but also internationally. These links provide an opportunity for schools to share environmental information, they can also be used as a means for cultural exchanges and for improving language skills.

Structure

Eco-Schools International Team

Bríd ConneelyInternational Eco-Schools DirectorE: brid@feeinternational.orgT: +45 6124 8084

Liesbeth PlovieInternational Eco-Schools AssistantE: liesbeth@feeinternational.orgT: +45 6124 8088

Why join Eco-Schools?

Advantages for students:

We know that Eco-Schools• inspires and empowers students• creates leaders of change in their

communities• widens learning beyond the lecture

room• develops responsible attitudes and

commitment• leads to increased levels of

confidence and motivation• increases participation in

environmental actions• improves skills and knowledge in

all subjects• improves mental and physical

wellbeing

Advantages for the schools

We have learned that the programme delivers• an improved environmental impact on

campus• involvement with the local community,

other institutions and organisations• financial savings• international connections• a method of embedding sustainability

into the curriculum• the capacity to nurture and support

intrinsic values (care, empathy, creativity, compassion)

• improved wellbeing of students and staff• lecturers and staff who are proud of their

third level institution

How Eco-Schools works

Seven Steps Methodology

The Eco-Schools Seven Steps methodology is a series of  carefully engineered measures  to help schools maximise the success of their Eco-School ambitions. The method involves a wide diversity of individuals from the school community - with students playing a primary role in the process. The most important aspect for schools to remember is that every school is different and it is therefore critical that a school fits the seven steps around its circumstances and situation and NOT try to fit the school into the seven steps.

Themes

While the Seven Steps and the Seven-Step methodology are the most important aspect of the Eco-Schools programme, we have found that working with Themes can also be a great help in giving the programme even more structure. For the purpose of the Environmental Review there are 10 main Themes.  These are: 

Biodiversity & Nature Climate Change Energy Global Citizenship Health & Wellbeing

Litter School Grounds Transport Waste Water

Green Flag Award

Green Flag Application

1. Before a school can apply for the first Eco-Schools Green Flag it must have carried out the following:• Registered with Eco-Schools International• Be working on the programme for at least one school year• Completed all Seven Steps of the Eco-Schools programme• Completed an Environmental Review for all 10 Main Themes• Have a current Action Plan, with future targets. Either Global Citizenship or Climate Change have to be a Theme which is addressed on in the Action Plan. 2. Fill in Application Form and send to Eco-Schools International

3. A pleasant on-site meeting, usually between the Eco Committee and the Assessor.  It generally takes about two hours.  

Note: Since the Green Flag is of extremely high standard, it will take the school at least one school year to be eligible for assessment, and generally it will take two years.Note: Once you have received your first flag you must renew it every two years. For this renewal we expect you to take on, at least, one new Theme in the Action Plan.

Costs

1. Registration Costs

600€ - 2 years

The registration levy will cover administration, support, resources & tools, mentoring and further development of the programme over a two-year period.

Note: We do believe that the savings in water and electricity alone as a result of implementing the Eco-Schools programme in your school will cover those costs.

2. Assessment Costs (Green Flag Assessment – every two years)

€400 + travel costs + accommodation for one night (if necessary)

Note: Eco-Schools International will designate an assessor as close as possible to the school to do the assessment to keep the travel costs as low as possible and avoid an overnight stay.

Global Action Days

As part of the Green Flag Applicationwe asks schools to organise at least one action as part of the Global Action Days campaign.

All information can be found on www.ecoschools.global/global-action-days

Organised twice a year (November – April)

Aim: Inform and Involve the wider community on the environmental actions of your school and share your good practices with other schools all over the world.

HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT ONE ACTION AT A TIME!

Good practice

Eco-Schools

You can do it too!!!!!

Any questions?

Please contactliesbeth@feeinternational.org