Act eco-locally to change into eco-globally

🇭🇷At the 5th Symposium on Biology Education, held as part of the 15th Croatian Biological Congress with international participation, teachers Katarina Medić and Adriana Ivandić delivered a presentation titled “The role of practical ecological workshops and local activities in developing students’ environmental awareness.”

They presented the results of the two-year Erasmus+ project “Act eco-locally to change into eco-globally” (2023–2025), which involved 159 students and 46 teachers from six European countries. The presentation focused on practical workshops and local environmental activities that proved highly effective in fostering students’ ecological awareness and responsibility.

Activities showcased in the presentation included making candles from waste cooking oil, creating eco-accessories from old T-shirts, designing 3D ecosystem models, crafting a sustainable Christmas Eco-Tree, creatively restoring old school chairs, participating in reforestation through the Šumoborci (Forest Fighters) programme, and contributing to the national environmental clean-up campaign “Rezolucija Zemlja.”

Project evaluation conducted throughout the two-year period showed a significant increase in students’ interest in environmental protection, greater engagement in local ecological initiatives, and a stronger willingness to adopt sustainable everyday habits.

Participation in this important scientific and professional event represents a notable recognition of the teachers’ work and highlights the importance of involving students in hands-on, experience-based activities that connect the school with the local community.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNDcu2rNF_X/?img_index=5&igsh=MTRiNnkzbTExYXZsbQ==

🌿 Our Eco Garden: A Story of Growth, Learning, and Environmental Impact! 🌱 What started as a small green corner in our school has now turned into a thriving Eco Garden — all thanks to the dedicated efforts of our students and teachers, as part of our Erasmus+ project “Act Eco-Locally to Change into Eco-Globally.” Over time, our garden has developed step by step. Students not only planted seeds, but also prepared compost at home and brought it to school, applying it to the soil with their own hands — a truly hands-on and meaningful experience. ♻️🌱 Our drip irrigation system, powered by rainwater collected in our school tank, was also designed and implemented through a student-led project — proving that young minds can bring real, sustainable solutions to life. 💧👏 Today, our garden is full of fresh, chemical-free vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, onions, purslane, parsley, rocket, and lettuce. But this is more than just a harvest — it’s the result of months of care, collaboration, and commitment. 🌍 Environmental impact – Reduced food waste through composting – Lower water usage thanks to rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation – No chemicals or pesticides — just natural, healthy growth – A living classroom where students experience sustainability in action Although our project is nearing its end, the seeds we’ve planted — both in the soil and in our students’ minds — will continue to grow, inspire, and contribute to a greener future. #ErasmusPlus #EcoGarden #Sustainability #StudentAction #GreenFuture #EnvironmentalEducation #CompostPower #RainwaterHarvesting #ActEcoLocally #ChangeIntoEcoGlobally

🇹🇷✨ TPM 2 –

Day 3: A Journey Through History, Heritage & Celebration 🌍🎉

On July 16th, the third day of our Erasmus+ TPM 2 mobility, we took a deep dive into Turkish history and culture during an unforgettable trip to Ankara and Beypazarı.

🇹🇷 At Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, we paid our respects to the founder of the Republic of Türkiye — a powerful moment of reflection on leadership, independence, and civic values.
🏺 We continued to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where we explored thousands of years of rich heritage — from Neolithic tools to ancient Hittite artifacts.

🌸 In the evening, we headed to the charming town of Beypazarı, where we had the chance to experience a truly unique cultural tradition: a traditional Turkish henna night (kına gecesi)! With music, symbolic rituals, and joyful dancing, it was a lively and emotional celebration of unity and heritage.

Through every step — from ancient ruins to folk songs — we were reminded that understanding each other’s past is key to building a shared, sustainable future. 🌿🤝

🌿💧 TPM 2 –
Day 2 in Düzce: Nature, Reflection & A Taste of Turkish Hospitality 🇹🇷✨

On July 15th, our Erasmus+ TPM 2 mobility in Akçakoca continued with a meaningful visit to Düzce’s breathtaking waterfalls — a perfect example of how natural beauty and biodiversity go hand in hand.

Surrounded by ancient trees, crystal-clear waters, and fresh mountain air, we took a moment to reflect on the vital importance of protecting our natural ecosystems. These waterfalls are not just scenic spots — they are living habitats, home to countless species and essential to the region’s environmental balance. 🌍🍃

Our visit reminded us that environmental education doesn’t only happen in classrooms — sometimes, it happens beside a rushing stream or under a canopy of leaves.

🌇 As the day turned into evening, we gathered for a warm and welcoming barbecue dinner, where our guests enjoyed authentic flavors — including the iconic Turkish baklava!

It was a beautiful blend of environmental awareness and cultural exchange — proving that sustainability also means building human connections and honoring local traditions.

Let’s keep learning from nature, and from one another. 💚

🇵🇱 The final activity of our project was the closing conference, which took place between 14-16 July 2025, in Akcakoca, Turkiye. The conference was attended by 17 coordinators and teachers from 5 partner schools. During the conference each coordinator presented the results of their two years of work. As the project coordinator Agnieszka Stańczyk-Jabłońska prepared basic project information, participation statistics and monitoring results: All project goals were achieved and most indicators were higher than planned. There were 240 mobilities instead of 210. More teachers and students (205 instead of 180) from 6 partner schools participated in the project raising their awareness of European citizenship and ecological thinking. 159 students (9 more than planned) developed key competences such as interpersonal skills, digital and linguistic competences, civic engagement, entrepreneurshi, and cultural awareness. 27 teachers (instead of 18) wrote scenarios using innovative teaching methods. 31 project team members from 6 partner schools (1 more than planned) improved their digital, interpersonal and professional skills during the project.
Our project was a huge success. It enabled 159 students from 6 partner schools to travel to a foreign country, learn about its culture, meet peers and work together on practical tasks. The project spread environmental awareness among young people and engaged the local community in environmental protection initiatives.
THANK YOU coordinators and teachers from the partner schools for your commitment and hard work. This experience brought us closer together, helped us grow and made a real difference in our schools and communities. WE ARE A GREAT TEAM. We will keep on working on ecological activities to save our planet. We look forward to future projects and continued cooperation!

🇭🇷 From July 13 to 17, 2025, our teachers participated in the final conference of the Erasmus+ project Act eco-locally to change into eco-globally, held in Turkey. The conference brought together representatives of partner schools from Croatia, Poland, Greece, Romania, and Portugal, with the host school located in the town of Akçakoca.

The main conference activity took place on July 14, during which participants presented the project results, evaluated the achieved goals, and agreed on the final steps regarding dissemination and reporting. The conference was followed by a series of cultural and educational activities aimed at deepening intercultural cooperation and sharing good practices.

During the five-day stay in Turkey, we visited the natural beauty of Düzce, took part in a joint gathering with traditional Turkish barbecue, and, as part of a full-day excursion, explored the cultural and historical heritage of Ankara – the capital of Turkey. Particularly impressive were the visits to Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk), the old parliament building, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

We thank our partners for their excellent organization and warm hospitality. The experiences, ideas, and new acquaintances gained during this project will undoubtedly enrich our future work and strengthen our school’s international cooperation.

🌍 Act Eco-Locally to Change into Eco-Globally Project Update 🇪🇺
📍 Akçakoca, Türkiye | 🗓️ 14 July 2025

We are proud to announce that the Second Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) of our Erasmus+ project Act Eco-Locally to Change into Eco-Globally has officially started in Akçakoca!

As part of this meaningful gathering, we successfully held the Final Conference, with the participation of representatives from 6 partner countries and the District Directorate of National Education.

During the event, 6 comprehensive presentations were delivered, focusing on:
✅ Project data
✅ Dissemination
✅ Benefits and Impact
✅ Local eco-friendly practices and student-led activities
✅Project Evaluation
✅Project Results

At the end of the conference, certificates of participation were presented to all attendees in recognition of their valuable contributions throughout the project. 🎓🤝

It was a pleasure to share our journey and results with our local stakeholders and international partners. Together, we continue to grow greener—starting locally, thinking globally! 🌱🌎

Tree planting activity in the park at the Târgoviște Swimming Complex, organized by the Târgoviște City Hall, "Târgoviștea verde". Students from grades IX E, XII D, XII E participated in the activity, coordinated by prof. Roșoiu Anita, Radu Andra

🌍 World Environment Day – June 5
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5, having been initiated by the United Nations (UN) in 1972, on the occasion of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.
It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues and encouraging action to protect the planet. Each year has a different theme and an official host country.
The theme of World Environment Day 2025 is "Block Plastic Pollution". The initiative emphasizes the importance of combating plastic pollution and encourages collective action for a sustainable future.
The students of grade IX E coordinated by teacher Roșoiu Anița Georgeta and Radu Andra marked the environment day by debating the topic of responsible consumption and recycling.
Be the hero of the planet! Every gesture counts!

GREENING ACTIONS
During the period 26-30.V.2025, the Green Week program was held in our school. During this week, several ecological activities were organized.
The purpose of ecological activities is to protect and preserve the environment, promoting responsible behaviour towards nature and natural resources.
These activities pursue several important objectives:
-Increasing awareness among the population regarding environmental issues.
- Forming a responsible attitude towards nature, especially among young people.