Description

In Croatia there are about 500.000 pupils – future citizens and decision makers, who are not receiving proper education about climate change issues, even though they will be strongly impacted by climate change and will be obliged to adapt. The proper education in this area would enable today’s students not only to be decision makers in the future but also to become responsible citizens of tomorrow, to understand the world that surrounds them and to be active and involved citizens, engaged in their communities. It  is necessary to provide them with education that introduces them to causes and dangers of climate change, mitigation possibilities, adaptation options and clearly demonstrates the importance of critical thinking.

Schools are not tackling this issue because the teachers are not receiving previous training and are unprepared to lecture and teach on this topic, funding they receive is insufficient and curriculum is not being updated. Climate related topics should be tackled in a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral manner – an approach currently underutilized in Croatian schools. Attempts to modernize the school curriculum and to introduce intra-course approach have been present for several years however no major steps have been made.

We are looking for a novel approach to educate pupils about climate issues, a solution that preferably includes building critical thinking, empowerment and practical-oriented education, a model that includes a financial self-sustainable mechanism (either a proven one or in the initial stage) preferably not dependent on external grants.

Target

The target group consists of Croatian pupils (approx. 500.000) because they represent future citizens and decision makers, who will be greatly affected by climate change but the previous schooling will not prepare them for this.


It is therefore necessary to educate pupils about climate change issues, to rise their knowledge on the issue and enable their critical thinking. Society for Sustainable Development Design (DOOR) the challenge owner, is permanently involved in educational activities about climate change causes, effect and mitigation measures, by developing educational materials for pupils, supplemental materials for their teachers, holding lectures and involving them in various competitions to increase visibility of the topics. To enable continuous education of pupils and involvement of their teachers, it is necessary to identify and implement the best self-sustainable educational methodology that will not depend on external grants. 

Competencies

DOOR envisions a low carbon society without energy poverty. As a key organization in Croatia for advocacy and awareness raising for sustainable energy development, DOOR has been demonstrating a strong link between organizational vision and results achieved.


DOOR is very active in youth education and awareness with the production of educational materials for pupils and teachers about sustainable energy use and climate change since 2006, equipping two schools with didactic material for renewable energy use, established a course about renewable energy sources, which was made available to all technical vocational schools in Croatia and organized the first national intra-school competition in energy savings and energy efficiency, plus and an art competition related to climate change. A financial self-sustainable novel approach to educate pupils would be supported by DOOR’s Internal climate expert person plus the educational expert acting as lead persons for the challenge.

Innovation

All educational activities previously implemented have been funded through grants, within projects applied at public calls launched for NGOs. As such calls are sporadic and scarce, the activities are not self sustainable and permanent.

We believe that for the education to be permanent, a sustainable source of funding not depending on grants is necessary, as well as an innovative approach to teaching. We believe that innovative tools and approaches to educate pupils about climate issues is extremely necessary, a model that includes a sustainable financial mechanism not depending on grants (e.g. via crowdfunding, parents paying directly, corporates funding as part of CSR programs) would be more feasible for a long lasting period

Commitment

Organizational resources that have previously been utilized are information and data about climate change, excellent connections with schools around Croatia and wide promotion of the educational activities. This will also be the case once the educational model enters its permanent stage (regular or periodic educational sessions for example).

A financial self-sustainable novel approach to educate pupils would be supported by DOOR’S Internal climate expert and education expert, two persons from the organization acting as lead persons for further development of the solution. They will add pro bono time and guidance, connecting the solution provider with the resources and necessary connections to adapt as much as possible the solution.

DOOR has a number of ideas for climate related projects that could benefit from the approach to be developed in providing a solution to this challenge. The organization therefore expects that the cooperation with the SP could be permanent, based on its interest and capacities.

Compliance

The challenge complies 100% with the ethical standards of the project agreement and does not raise any ethical issue at societal level.

The Challenge Owner

Society for Sustainable Development Design

DOOR is the organization promoting sustainable energy development by raising awareness, advocating and inspiring all segments of society, at the local, regional and national level.