Green Skills Award

PRESS RELEASE: Lebanon’s ‘Zero waste’ project for student empowerment wins the Green Skills Award 2023

The story of Faten Sleem, a public-school educator from Lebanon who initiated a waste management initiative, focusing on education to empower students, wins this year’s Green Skills Award. Morocco (with Spain) and Kenya came second and third, respectively

Turin, 27 October 2023 – In an inspiring display of international support, thousands of citizens from all corners of the globe endorsed Lebanon’s public-school educator, Faten Sleem, as the best practice in teaching and learning of green skills. Faten’s story highlights the power of bottom-up initiatives that serve as an inspiration for reducing waste and encourage other schools and communities to follow suit. This scheme emerged as the winner of 10 finalists selected from almost 600 applications from over 70 countries. The three winners were unveiled today by the European Training Foundation, organiser of the Green Skills Award since 2021.

“The third edition of the ETF Green Skills Award confirmed that sustainable education is close to the heart of people, with more than 6,000 votes worldwide. All applicants are winners in terms of commitment and engagement for green skills, but this year, the award goes to a public-school educator whose dedication and work in the field of green skills have not only impressed us but have also resonated with people from all over the world. My congratulations go to Lebanon’s public school educator Faten Sleem, with the Zero Waste project from Lebanon. And my congratulations also to the second and third winners, Morocco with Spain, and Kenya,” said ETF Director, Pilvi Torsti.

Lebanon’s ‘Zero waste’ project: Educating for waste reduction and student environmental empowerment (winner)

Lebanon is grappling with a severe waste management issue characterised by piling waste and environmental pollution. To combat this, a public-school educator, Faten Sleem, launched a 'zero waste' initiative, focusing on education to empower students and the wider community. The project is establishing a model for waste reduction and inspire other schools and communities. The methodology involves developing a waste reduction plan, promoting reusable containers, collaborating with local businesses and parents, involving students in awareness campaigns, and establishing partnerships with local farmers and NGOs. They have achieved reduced waste generation, promoted sustainable behaviours, developed leadership skills, and improved the school's environmental footprint.

 

 

Morocco (with Spain) training for marginalised youth, and Kenya’s skills for waste management (second and third place)

  • Morocco (in partnership with Spain): Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI, providing green vocational training for marginalised youth. The Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School is a vocational training centre in Salé, Morocco, that provides green employment opportunities for marginalised young people. Managed by FUNCI-Morocco, it offers free training and focuses on ecological gardening practices. The school is located on a rehabilitated landfill site and promotes sustainable development strategies in alignment with national environmental policies. With a three-year curriculum, it trains up to 90 learners annually and supports their integration into the job market. The school also serves as an environmental education centre for the public and generates income through plant production and various activities.
  • Kenya: E-waste management, promoting skills development opportunities for sustainable e-waste management. Kenya’s project "Promoting Demand-Driven Skills in E-waste Management and Recycling in Kenya" aims to address the challenges posed by e-waste. Currently, only 1% of e-waste generated annually in Kenya is recycled, leading to environmental pollution. The project focuses on building the capacity of local institutions to train technicians with the necessary skills to process and manage e-waste. Through the development of a curriculum, equipment provision, and training, the project has successfully created employment opportunities for young Kenyans while addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with improper e-waste disposal. The project's approach and outcomes make it a leading model for sustainable e-waste management initiatives globally.

Green Skills Award 2023 finalists

Finalists included stories from the following countries:

  • Armenia: TUMO Labs - Empowering youth to protect the environment through a climate change observatory.
  • Georgia: Construct2 - Developing a public-private partnership for the provision of training on eco-friendly building materials.
  • Indonesia: Carbon Addons - Enabling youth to become climate changemakers through a carbon academy.
  • Kenya: E-waste management - Promoting skills development opportunities for sustainable e-waste management.
  • Lebanon: Zero waste project - Educating for waste reduction and student environmental empowerment.
  • Morocco with Spain: Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI - Providing green vocational training for marginalised youth.
  • Serbia: The Green Art Incubator - Promoting sustainable practices in the culture and arts sector.
  • Türkiye: Birsen Tanrikulu, teacher - Fostering green skills and sustainability in education.
  • Ukraine: Taras Shevchenko National University - Equipping future professionals with green competences.
  • USA with Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe: WeCareSolar - Developing renewable energy solutions for remote communities and women's empowerment.

The description of their proposals can be found here.

The ETF Green Skills Award

The Green Skills Award is a global initiative that was first introduced by the ETF in 2021. It provides ideas and inspiration from all over the world about innovation happening thanks to individuals and institutions. The initiative has become a source of good practice that can inspire people everywhere to make real change happen in creating circular and carbon-neutral economies and societies.

Background

The European Training Foundation is the EU agency supporting the countries of the EU neighbourhood to reform their education, training, and labour market systems. In line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the European Year of Skills, it actively supports progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economies and societies through skills development.

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Press contact

Daria Santucci, +39 011 6302222, mediarelations@etf.europa.eu

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