What if students could help make their schools greener and more energy efficient? This is exactly what the Energieke Scholen (Energising Schools) programme is doing in the Netherlands.
It’s easy for schools to sign an energy contract and then forget about it. The Energieke Scholen (Energising Schools) programme aims to seize this missed opportunity to reduce their energy consumption, while also raising awareness and improving the learning environment in primary schools in the Netherlands.
Offered by local Environmental Education Centres and Dutch NGO Gemeenten voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling the programme adapts to the needs of each school and involves children at every step. The modular whole-school approach combines practical classes on saving energy and sustainable energy production, collaborations with guest teachers and on-hands energy workshops to install solar panels. To extend the programme’s reach into the local community, parents are also involved.
Energy savings and healthier learning conditions
Based on learning by discovery, the programme makes pupils responsible for their school’s energy consumption and helps them make greener choices. The result? The schools use 5-10% less energy and produce their own renewable energy (solar/wind).
In addition to significant energy savings, the programme is also having a positive impact on learning conditions. Improving the air quality leads to improved learning performance and lower teacher absenteeism.
The NGO is looking to widen its impact with more participants, partners and exposure. Would you like to help them raise to the challenge?
Elsie Gabriel wants to move towards a more ocean- literate society. This young activist has created the Ocean Schools program in India for young people and local communities.
Proper Strand Lopers is a Belgian citizen’s initiative born from a Facebook group. Education and awareness-raising about beach waste is central to this.
Allowing both land and people to flourish, connecting traditional communities in the Amazon area, researchers and environmentally engaged groups is the goal of the Meli Network project. A flourishing cooperation inspired by the Meliponini bees.
To get involved in a collective adventure:
Discover meaningful projects
Choose your preferred project to embark on
Contact the project owner
Discover inspiring initiatives around the world and find innovative solutions
Duplicate the proposed sustainable solutions
Establish new partnerships
Find inspiration and discover new ideas
Connect and share experiences with other innovators around the world
Contact us to propose your project
Discover the innovations carried out by citizens in your CSR fields of action and in the regions of your choice
Support through funding or by providing skills in your areas of expertise
Contact the project leaders
Find inspiring stories of engaged citizens to enrich your editorial work
Help local projects increase their impact and make them known to your audience
Contact the project managers
Discover citizen initiatives around the world
Invest in local projects aligned with your strategy for sustainable development
Contact the project managers