216 schools and kindergartens have declared their desire to introduce world-class environmental education this school year
Over 300 teachers and principals from all over Bulgaria attended the official opening of the third academic year of the program “Enter the green circle” of “Devin” EAD and the Bulgarian movement “Blue Flag”. The schools and kindergartens that will introduce the theme of eco-education in their curricula are 30% more than in previous editions of the initiative. The opening of the new school year for the Bulgarian “Eco-Schools” was attended by: Elena Mateeva, head of “Strategic Communications” in the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact; Marina Stefanova, Deputy Dean “Sustainable Development, Support and Engagement” at the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University; Rumyana Georgieva, expert “Conservation activities, donation, social entrepreneurship” at the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation.
For Devin, “Enter the Green Circle” is a long-term endeavor, and the company devotes time and resources to support its development and expand the “green circle”, and in addition to new educational institutions, the initiative attracts more and more supporters and like-minded people.
„It is very important to enrich the program with new topics and activities“, he notes Reni Ananievabrand manager “DEVIN Izvorna”. “This year we have planned two innovations – we are introducing ‘Climate Change’ as a new topic for ‘Enter the Green Circle’ and we will be running a series of online training workshops for teachers on the topics – ‘Waste and Pollution’, ‘Biodiversity’, ‘Energy‘ and “Water” together with partner organizations of DEVIN. The goal is to impart valuable knowledge and skills to educators so that they can lead children’s lessons more successfully and efficiently. We have invited proven experts from the relevant fields as lecturers for the online seminars. We cooperate with Ecopak, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and Energeo – GeoTechMin Group. The theme of water will be presented by us at “Devin” based on our over 30 years of experience in the responsible management of water wealth in the Rhodope region – our home“, she added.
The Bulgarian Blue Flag movement also highly appreciates the results of the implementation of the program.
„We are satisfied with the success of children and teachers in mastering new knowledge and skills in support of environmental protection“, he pointed out Stanimir Georgievchairman of the board of Bulgarian Movement „Blue flag“. „From an early age, even in kindergarten, children learn how to separate waste, save water and energy and help protect biodiversity. Thus, in partnership with “Devin”, we help the education system in our country to educate conscious citizens with care for nature“, he also said.
“Enter the Green Circle” is the largest initiative in our country for the large-scale introduction of eco-education in Bulgaria according to the methodology of the “Eco-Schools” global program. The project starts in October 2022 and is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Environment and Water. The work of educational institutions under the program will continue throughout the academic year. “Devin” will once again organize an “Ecocode” contest for the schools and kindergartens that have presented themselves most creatively in adopting the green methodology.
