Vocational pathways are now recognized as vital assets in addressing sustainable development demands. This importance stems from the fact that many industries crucial for transitioning to a green economy are closely linked with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Institutes. To cater to this emerging requirement, the everGREEN_In initiative was established, aiming to empower VET Institutes to lead the way in sustainable development by embracing eco-friendly practices and aligning with the evolving needs of today’s workforce.
The heart of the everGREEN project came alive during the recent training event in Nice, transforming it into a vibrant hub of sustainable ideas and practices for educators and vocational training professionals. This pivotal moment marked a significant step towards greening vocational education. Held from January 30th to February 1st, the event gathered a diverse group of educators, staff, teachers, and professionals for an immersive experience in sustainability.
The opening day set the tone with a warm welcome and introductory session, delving into the status of Vocational Education Institutes across Europe and France and highlighting green strategies. This introduced participants to key concepts and future visions for sustainable vocational education. The afternoon was dedicated to crafting Greening Plans, with participants brainstorming in groups to formulate actionable ideas, using interactive presentations to chart their journey towards incorporating green practices into their institutions.
Day two continued with the implementation phase of Greening Plans, emphasizing effective strategies to ensure the sustainability of new practices. Participants engaged deeply with practical methodologies, brainstorming individually and in groups on various topics, from sustainable digitalization to student engagement in green projects. They worked together to develop project drafts, simulating transforming their educational environments into sustainability hubs. Collaboration and experience sharing were vital, with networking moments strengthening professional and personal bonds among participants. The afternoon session introduced monitoring and evaluation techniques, providing essential tools for assessing the impact of green initiatives.
The third day took participants outside the classroom for a practical excursion to the “Lycée hôtelier Jeanne et Paul Augier”, showcasing the real-world integration of sustainable practices in education. The afternoon focused on forming the everGREEN Alliance, discussing the benefits of being part of a network dedicated to education and sustainability. The closing session reflected on the journey taken and concluded with the presentation of participation certificates, celebrating the achievements and progress made.
Visit https://evergreen.bupnet.eu/ to learn how we can foster a sustainable future in the Vocational Education and Training sector. You will find access to the training materials and the opportunity to join the everGREEN Alliance Network there. Follow us on Linkedin and Facebook to remain in contact with us.
About everGREEN IN
everGREEN_In – Empowering VET Institutions towards Greener Initiatives is a project funded by the program Erasmus+ KA220- VET – Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training.
Partners
- BUPNET BILDUNG UND PROJEKT NETZWERK GMBH (Germany, coordinator)
- EUROTRAINING EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION (Greece)
- CESIE (Italy)
- NOVEL GROUP SARL (Luxemburg)
- ARDITEC ASSOCIATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT D’INNOVATIONS ET DE TECHNOLOGIES POUR LA PROTECTION DE L’HERITAGE ENVIRONNEMENTAL, SOCIAL ET CULTUREL (France)
- CSS SLOVENSKI GRADBENI GROZD, GOSPODARSKO INTERESNO ZDRUZENJE (Slovenia)
- EVTA – EUROPEAN VOCATIONAL TRAINING ASSOCIATION (Belgium)
For further information
Read more about the project, visit https://evergreen.bupnet.eu/ and follow us on Linkedin and Facebook.
Contact Fabrizio Di Spezio: fabrizio.dispezio@cesie.org.