Project Information

PROJECT aims to inform involve educate young people on sustainable way of living!

Below you can find a timeline blog where you can see and read by day what we done prior, during and after main project activity :)


This project is currently financially supported under Erasmus Plus Programme of the European Union

NEWS FEED

Project presented to Kaunas IN

Mano Europa team visited Kaunas Tourism Information Center "Kaunas IN" and presented the project. During the meeting we aimed to promote the project and with the help of Kaunas city tourism office to inform visitors about the new tool which they can use for free in order to contribute towards a more sustainable way of living, exploring the city while traveling and doing business. Future cooperation opportunities, as well as development of additional features were discussed during the meeting.

NOVEMBER 2023

Green challenges coming soon!

The lack of involvement of young people in local activities for environmental change is a concerning trend that often stems from a combination of factors. Busy schedules, limited awareness, and a perceived disconnection from the impact of individual actions on the environment can contribute to this disengagement. Bridging this gap requires not only raising awareness about the importance of environmental initiatives but also creating accessible and appealing avenues for youth participation. That’s where the initiative of Green Compass for Europe plays its role. It aims to address this gap with a specific action, engaging youth in so-called Green Challenges, that make environmental involvement not only accessible but also enjoyable for the younger generation. The Green Challenges will be embedded in the City Compass app, creating a dynamic and engaging platform for the local youth to actively participate in the journey towards sustainability. The Green Challenges serve as a call to action for youth. These challenges are designed to make sustainable living a fun and interactive experience. From reducing single-use plastics to promoting green commuting, each challenge is a step towards cultivating positive habits. By participating in these challenges, young people not only contribute to their city's environmental well-being but also connect with a community that shares their passion for a greener future. The Green Challenges are more than just tasks; they are opportunities for the youth to engage with and support local green initiatives. These challenges provide a platform for young individuals to actively shape the eco-friendly landscape of their city. By doing so, they become ambassadors of change and may inspire others to become greener. The Green Challenges embedded in the City Compass app transform sustainability from a distant goal to a tangible and exciting adventure for youth. As they rise to the challenges, these young individuals not only make a difference in their daily lives but also play a crucial role in shaping their local realities. The goal of Green Compass for Europe initiative is not just fostering change: it's nurturing a generation of environmental stewards.

The City Compass App is landing in Perugia!

Navigating the landscape of environmental sustainability can be a challenging task for today's youth. In a world bombarded with information, discerning which places genuinely promote sustainability and which do not can be problematic. The lack of a clear guide often leaves young individuals uncertain about the eco-friendly practices of businesses and initiatives. That’s why the City Compass app was born: specifically tailored for cities that have a lot of green opportunities to offer, like Perugia, Italy, (soon available in the app). The app becomes a great tool, simplifying the process for the youth by providing a curated guide to environmentally conscious establishments. The City Compass app can become the ally of every young person of Perugia passionate about sustainability. One of the app's standout features is the city map, offering a virtual tour of Perugia's sustainable hotspots. From eco-friendly cafes to community-driven initiatives, the map serves as a guide to local businesses and projects committed to sustainability. For the youth of Perugia, this map can become a treasure towards eco-conscious choices, empowering them to make informed decisions that align with their environmental values. The Green City Map transforms Perugia into a playground of sustainable opportunities, inviting young individuals to explore and support businesses dedicated to a greener future. The youth of Perugia, armed with information and resources, are empowered to shape their city's green identity. As they explore and adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives, they contribute to a cultural shift towards sustainability.

OCTOBER 2023

Our environment is in danger and small actions matter!

Here’s one disturbing fact: scientists claim that on average, a person eats a credit card worth of plastic every single week. This is caused by plastic pollution being out of control: single-use plastic, littering, plastic packaging are few of the factors that contribute to this particular result. In Lithuania, we may have less polluted air and cleaner streets, but we can’t deny the fact that environment is in real danger and it is crucial to understand the importance of small actions. Let’s dive into our action – “Green Compass for Europe” project, which aims to spread awareness about climate problems that we are facing. Moreover, it informs and educates youth about domesticating sustainability one step at a time, so it would become a daily habit. Moreover, this project seeks to inspire and empower youth to take action actively, develop a positive change in everyday behavior and motivate others for more sustainable living. How are we going to reach these goals? First of all, we are updating the heart of the project, the “City Compass” app with Green Challenges. We all know that it’s easier to develop a positive habit if you have company and system, so it will be a great opportunity for young minds to express their creativity, knowledge and find communities with similar goals. It will be fun and engaging way for youth to develop greener routines. Moreover, our app will provide three Green City Maps – Vilnius, Athens and Perugia, which serve as guides to sustainable living in urban environments. These maps will be great resources for those who seek more eco-friendly practices in their daily lives as it will be full of sustainable places to try out! We believe, that with active participation of youth, this project will be a boost towards more sustainable and green living, raising an environment conscious generation.

Current status update on activities in Greece

In this article, we take a look at what has been done so far in Greece. But first, a little back story. Our journey is fueled by the ambition to achieve a climate-neutral continent by 2050, fostering sustainability and empowering the youth to play a crucial role. In this endeavor, we aim to raise awareness about climate change, engage youth actively in sustainable living, and develop three comprehensive "Green Compass Maps." These maps, a culmination of eco-friendliness, will be shared amongst the public, contributing to the European Climate Pact's mission. What Has Been Done So Far The project has successfully gathered a diverse array of effective sustainable practices from various organizations in Greece. Noteworthy initiatives include the Seed Bombing Athens by THE BEE CAMP NGO, an ongoing effort since 2019. Through interactive environmental workshops, participants create and distribute seed bombs, fostering urban biodiversity and supporting the vital role of bees in ecosystems. The Vegan Life Festival, occurring annually since 2016, has emerged as the largest vegan festival in Europe. It promotes veganism, combats food waste, and builds a community of environmentally conscious youth. Additionally, the Kerkini Lake Clean Up, conducted 2-3 times per year since May 2021, engages local communities in cleaning up areas near the lake. This initiative combines environmental awareness with festive celebrations. Another commendable practice is Zero Waste Athens, an online community supporting zero waste lifestyles. The community organizes activities like swap bazaars, cooking workshops, and a zero waste music festival. Glyptopia is an educational experiential workshop on natural building, reusing of building materials, climate change adaptation, and alternatives for energy efficiency. Participants craft building models with an emphasis on participatory design, using natural materials like straw, soil, and wood. This initiative educates youngsters on circular economy experientially and is easily replicable. The Center of the Earth, operating since 2012, is an award-winning hub for environmental education. It serves as a functioning organic, urban, social farm, offering nature-based educational programs. The center engages young people in cultivating plants, cooking, and non-formal education activities, contributing to resilience to climate change. These initiatives showcase the breadth and impact of sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and youth involvement in environmental stewardship. Our next steps will include the finalization and launch of “Green Compass Maps” an online database housing green practices and eco-friendly organizations among the local communities of the consortium. As we resume this journey, we express our deepest gratitude to our partners and the European Union who have made this possible. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in shaping the future!

MARCH 2023

Youth Going Green youth meeting

From 19th-25th March 2023, Mano Europa coordinated a youth meeting "Youth Going Green" in Nea Makri,Greece as one of the activities in the frame of "Green Compass for Europe" project. ️️Youth from Lithuania, Greece and Italy met together with the purpose of 🗣 raising awareness about environmental challenges and climate change, acquiring new knowledge and brainstorming ideas about environmental awareness raising campaigns🥇 that will be implemented during the 🚦World Environmental Week in June 2023.

JANUARY 2023

Green guide for students coming to University (DK)

Today we present you a very nice initiative from Aarhus University. It is a so called “green guide” for a more ecologically friendly and sustainable stay of students in the Aarhus. In the Aarhus University (AU) Green Guide, you can find more inspiration on how you can contribute to a greener university and have a “greener” stay while at AU. This guide was first qualified by employees and students from the AU Green Network, then by various AU researchers, and, finally, it was collated into this guide. All of the ideas presented in this guide will have an impact to current and future students. But the greatest potential for CO2 reductions is in the transport and food areas.
FIND OUT MORE INFO

DECEMBER 2022

GUIDE TO ORGANIZING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY EVENTS

Tartu 2024, created an environmental strategy, which aims to place the environmental activites of the European Capital of Culture into the wider global and European context and to identify the most important environmental aspects in Estonia based on the example of Tartu and Southern Estonia. In order to leave a lasting positive environmental impact, Tartu 2024 involved the Tartu City Government's Culture Department and the Environment Department, the Tartu County Development Association and the cultural managers in the City of Tartu in the drafting of the strategy. Already this summer, the City of Tartu will abide by the Guidelines for Organising Environmentally Friendly Events when organising the Car-Free Avenue. This means that the organisers will take into account requirements in seven categories: materials and purchases; catering and the use of water; transportation; energy and resource efficiency; surroundings and community; waste management; and communication. Tartu 2024 strives towards four large goals, which we believe can be reached and we encourage Tartu and Southern Estonian cultural managers to contribute to reaching the goals in cooperation with us:
● By 2025, a cultural management inventory pool has been created in the municipalities of the Tartu 2024 region (affordable services), which can be rented and shared with others (decorations, frames for trash cans, dishes and so forth) and which allow to organise public and cultural events without using single-use solutions (in 2022 a clear numerical goal will be confirmed).
● By 2025, environmentally friendly food (organic and local) will be offered and redistributing leftover food from the events has become a norm (in 2022 a clear numerical goal will be confirmed).
● By 2025, separate waste collection has become a norm at events (this means that 90% of events have been organised in a way that waste is collected separately).
● By 2025, more environmentally friendly energy and transportation solutions will be used at events compared to 2022.
CHECK OUT GUIDELINES FOR ORGANISING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY EVENTS
CLICK HERE

Meet the PARTNERS

Passignano sul Trasimeno ITALY Associazione Kora was founded in 2015 in Passignano sul Trasimeno, in the region of Umbria, to promote sustainable ways of living and social inclusion among young people. Kora is cooperating side by side with “La Buona Terra”, an educational farm located on the hills above the town of Passignano sul Trasimeno. At the farm, Kora manages several types of projects, hosts volunteers and helps to involve local and international youngsters in educational paths. The activities that Kora organises are: Long and short term volunteering periods in Italy and abroad, Youth mobility, Summer camps, Internships, Cooking workshops, Workshops on sustainable practices, Facebook Website
ATHENS GREECE To be added Facebook Website

Digital maps