Introduction

Environmental Protection through environmental knowledge and activation – Citizens environmental sensitization

Objectives and target audience

The objectives are as follows:-

• The increase in citizen engagement;

• Achieving an increase in environmental behavior and environmental knowledge;

• Environmental protection as tool for improve every day life;

• Adoption of eco-friendly behavior ;

• Skill development in environmental protection;

• Contribution and promotion of human civilization;

• Citizens activation and sensitization (Development of active citizens-formation of active behaviors) .

The target group that this project is aiming at are the citizens of the municipality of Amaroussion in partcular children, students and companies.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The Municipality of Amaroussion finances the entire project.  Scientists and several organizations are also co-participated partners in this project.

Process

• Localize the municipality’s environmental problems;

• Hold discussions between authorities on the appropriate solutions;

• To organise seminars so people get become motivated, more involved and learn.

• The arrangement of the volunteers’ office:  were seminars for volunteers will be held;

• To arrange an event in order to educate the municipality officers of the environmental initiatives;

• Dissemination of informative material (“green” consumption, eco-driving, saving water, recycling, etc);

• Announcement of project’s existence in the entire municipality through the dissemination of leaflets, spots, etc;

• The municipality also organise educational  programs to help increase environmental awareness and sensitization.  These take place within schools.

• The organization of colourful activities such bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions, tree planting, public events in parks, nature conservancies and activities in the gardens.

Results

Since the beginning, the project has been in a success.  People ask to be always asking to be informed about news on the project, or to participate voluntary in environmental activities.  It seems that citizens-members of the environmental clubs support eco-friendly initiatives.  Colourful activities such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, public events in parks, nature conservancies and activities in the gardens empower people to become motivated and active.  All these events and actions build public awareness.  We have also noticed that young people are becoming more aware and more environmentally friendly.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The key issues for success are:-

• Effective coordination and cooperation between the municipality’s services and the local environmental clubs, no-governmental organizations (NGOs), no-profit organizations, the ministry of education and other authorities.

• One major key issue for success is to the approach the public well and using the correct forms of raising public awareness and sensitization.  It appears that public participation increases when people become more aware of waste and recycling.  Children and students as target group appear to be more motivated after a briefing event.

• The continuation of making the municipality staff aware as in consequence this knowledge will be transferred to local society.

• The discussion- dialogue about problems and solutions.