Eco Escuelas

©Elena von Sperber, FEE

AN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD FOR SCHOOLS

FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

PROGRAMME

Eco-Schools

CONTENTS

1 Eco-Schools International Programme 2 Starting Eco-Schools in a New Country 3 HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative 4 Environment and Innovation Project

03 06 09 10

Contact Information
International Eco-Schools Coordination Ed. Vasco da GamaRua General Gomes Araújo Bloco C Piso I, sala 1.26/1.27 1350-355 Lisbon - Portugal

Websites
www.eco-schools.org www.donationshop.org www.fee-international.org

Tel. + 351 21 394 27 44 Fax. + 351 21 394 27 49 coordination@eco-schools.org

01
ECO-SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME
Eco-Schools is an international programme for environmental education and management, with the aim of raisingstudents' awareness of sustainable development issues through classroom study as well as school and community action. The programme encourages children and youths to take an active role in running their school for the benefit of the environment, and participating in the discussion and decision-making process, thereby making Eco-Schools a useful tool for citizenship education. Practical steps are takento reduce the environmental impact of the school, following a process based on environmental management systems, such as EMAS (Environmental Management and Auditing Scheme) and ISO14001 (for more information please see http://www.iso.org). The Eco-Schools programme began in 1994 as a response to needs identified at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro,1992. The programme was developed and piloted by FEE – Foundation for Environmental Education with the support of the European Commission. Management and implementation of the programme is carried out by national non-governmental organizations that become members of FEE. Through active participation of representatives at the organizational level, each national Eco-Schools campaign contributes to theoverall value of the programme. The present level of success of the Eco-Schools Programme is primarily due to being based around a strong core process, and permitting a level of flexibility regarding implementation that acknowledges a variety of environmental, educational and socio-economic national contexts. While covering various aspects of sustainable development and building ties with thecommunity, the programme extends learning beyond the classroom and develops responsible attitudes and commitment, both at home and in the wider community.
03

How does co-Schools ork? the E gramme w Pro
The Eco-Schools Programme is designed for primary and secondary schools, however, other schools and education related organizations can be included. The heart of the Eco-Schools Programme is the7 Steps Methodology:

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7

Establishment of the Eco-Schools Committee Environmental Review Action Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Curriculum Linking Informing and Involving the Wider Community Eco-Code

04

©Elena von Sperber, FEE

After one year of implementing the Programme and reaching a high level of performance in complying with theseseven elements, among other mandatory criteria, a school is then awarded the Green Flag. In some countries, the Green Flag is the culmination of a multi-level system such as the one that includes bronze, silver and the Green Flag. Before receiving their first Green Flag, a school is assessed through a site visit. In subsequent years, after receiving the first Green Flag, other means of assessment areallowed, although visits are always recommended. An assessment should be carried out annually. The National Operator is free to decide the term of the Green Flag Award, ranging between a minimum of one year and a maximum of 2 years. Schools are encouraged to continuously improve their environmental performance, namely through the adoption of environmental working themes.

THE ECO-SCHOOLS...