REFE – Reducing Ecological Footprints through Eco-Awareness

Although environmentalism is on the rise throughout Europe, consumerism and mass production are still deeply rooted in large parts of society. In Romania, two recent documents – the 5^th National Report on the Convention of Biological Diversity and the National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS) – emphasise the need for more sustainable lifestyles. Both identify education and awareness raising among youth as key approaches in this regard. 

REFE complied with this through the development eight products that can be incorporated into Romania’s educational system. These supported the adjustment of the school system to the priorities of the 5th National Report on the Convention of Biological Diversity and the NSDS. The products consisted of the following: a tool to measure the ecological footprint; a planning guide for an educational summer camp on ecological footprints; a documentary; a grade-6 curriculum, teaching material; a theatre script; e-learning modules; a report. The products provided young people in Romania with the fundamentals of ecological thinking and with practical options to make their lifestyles more sustainable. REFE ensured to monitor all products throughout the project life cycle and adjusted them as needed. Translation into multiple languages makes them accessible to and usable by a broad audience across Europe.

• Sustainability made tangible: In an educational summer camp, 20 young people aged between 12 and 22 years tackled topics such as ecological footprints and resource-saving lifestyles in a practical way. They reflected on their own behaviour and tried out specific environmentally friendly alternatives that they could transfer to their everyday lives. The experiences and learning processes were recorded in the documentary film "4 to 1 Earths - an Adventure in Ecology" and made accessible to a wider public. 
• Teaching materials strengthen sustainable behaviour in everyday school life: A workbook on sustainable behaviour developed as part of the project was introduced at five schools. To this end, 46 teachers were trained to use the material in lessons; a total of 223 pupils took part in the learning units based on it. The Romanian Ministry of Education has officially approved the teaching material - an important step that ensures its long-term use in everyday school life. 
• Structural anchoring in the education system achieved: Through the combination of direct educational work, teacher training and public visibility via film and online platforms, the topic of sustainability was both disseminated among young people and structurally anchored in the Romanian education system. The project thus has an impact beyond individual activities and strengthens awareness of ecological responsibility in the long term.