The role of non-governmental organizations in development and promotion of education for sustainable development initiatives in Ukraine (school process)
Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility initiated the process of supporting of national initiatives development process of education for sustainable development: Increase the number of schools covered by ESD until 2015. Within 3 years of Small Grants Programme in Ukraine 2 projects to support directly the national capacity for ESD were implemented, more than 10 projects on local level have components of ESD introduction in schools through capacity building of communities to solve global environmental problem (duration of a project is 1 year). On the base of 17 schools in Zhytomyr Region and 1 in Rivne Region Green Cinemas were opened, 12 green classes were created at schools of Chernihov Region, 5 NGOs to promote ESD initiatives were created, including 2 which are based at schools, the Board consists of children, about 4000 informational and educational materials were published, 1 international Children's Conference was organized Works in close cooperation and coordination with international processes and key national partners (Ministry of Environment and Natural Recourses, Ministry of Education and Science, the State Ecological Academy of Postgraduate Education and Management as Focal Point UNECE process )
GEF NGO network supports the implementation of ESD initiatives http://www.gefua.net It was established in May 1995 as a result of the decision taken by the GEF Council on the beginning of formal dialogue and partnership between NGOs worldwide and the GEF. It has been functioning since 2009 in Ukraine. It is composed of more than 35 NGOs from different regions of Ukraine The main objectives are: To enhance cooperation between civil society and the GEF by enhancing participation, policy formation and incentive activities To ensure community participation in projects on environmental protection including the component of education for sustainable development To disseminate knowledge on global strategies for environmental protection, sustainable development, education for sustainable development amongst local communities and other partners
Targets of NGO s sector for ESD process development Target 1 To create a platform for exchange of experience, knowledge, capabilities Target 3 To implement of instruments and elements of ESD in pilot schools Target 2 To attract different target groups through the establishment and activity Partnership Network for ESD on wide and broad-based approaches Target 4 Knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, promote and replication best practices
Target 1: To create a platform for exchange of experience, knowledge, capabilities The first in Ukraine specialized website on education for sustainable development http://www.ecoosvita.org.ua/ was created; It includes information, position, methodical materials (with the use of national and international experience). Мethodological and information materials of the Swedish project Lessons for Sustainable Development, the OSCE Green Package were included. Partnership Network for Education for Sustainable Development was created on wide and broad-based approaches. You can become a participant by filling out the questionnaire online http://www.ecoosvita.org.ua.
First specialized web-site on ESD in Ukraine http://www.ecoosvita.org.ua
Target 2: To attract different target groups In January 2014 a partnership network for sustainable development was established using a wide and broad-based approaches. Today Network is include more than 25 participants from five target groups (public authorities, research institutions, schools, NGOs), including the 10 NGOs from different regions. It is easy to become a member, having filled the questionnaire on our website and sending to a team of Education for sustainable development in Ukraine initiative The broad opportunities for participants: exchange of national and international experience (UNECE, GEF initiatives), participation in All-Ukrainian and international events (International Forum Environment of Ukraine 2014, GEF SGP Best Practice and Knowledge Fair, May 2014, Fifth GEF Assembly, May 2014 will participate member of GEF NGO Network and ESD Partnership Network of Ukraine NGO Parostok (Sarniy, Ukraine).
Target 3: Implementation of ESD instruments in schools Board environmental game Green Manager was created Dissemination of experience of environmental game is carried out in cooperation and partnership with the national initiative of Ministry of the Environment and State Ecological Academy "Green Class, initiatives and projects of GEF SGP. The main objective of ecogame: to find best solutions between necessity to increase financial recourses and natural recourses (water, energy, food) and to reduced CO2 emissions in country/region. Level of solutions is state. The first approbation (International Children's Forum, Sarny, Ukraine, October 2014). Final approbation (in January 2014, the spread in the pilot schools). A certificate as a means of encouraging participants was created. This certificate obtained 7 schools. A computer version of the game "Green Manager was developed. A test version was developed in May 2014. It includes elements of distance learning through specialized sections «Lessons for Sustainable Development» of the booklet Eco-game is my choice», ecological and economic dictionary and special sections on climate change in game.
Implementation of instruments in schools Participation in international events and festivals. Biodiversity Day under the slogan "One school - one tree" (Secondary School of Potievka village of Zhitomir region) was officially registered on the sites of the International Initiative «Green Wave» http://greenwave.cbd.int. 75 children participated. 40 trees and 50 flowers were planted. Day of Plants. Training courses at the Institute of Botany at the University named after T. Shevchenko (Kiev). It was attended by 20 children from two regions of Ukraine. Lithuanian Experience in frame of Euro-School Sustainable Development: community experience (Vilnius, November, 2013). Specialized articles in All-Ukrainian Newspaper Development and Environment : Ecological Education in force: Lithuanian Experience, Ecogame Green Manager was published.
Target 4: Knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, promote and replication best practices International Children's Forum in Sarny, 9-10 October 2013 International Environment Forum in Ukraine 2014 (23-25 April 2014) GEF SGP Best Practice and Кnowledge Fair (20-21 May 2014) Participation in international initiatives and practical actions (Biodiversity Day, Environment Day, Plants Day) Enhancement of capabilities and participants of Partnership Network.
Target 4: Knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships, promote and replication best practices Establishment of working group on the base of Partnership Network in accordance with the principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness: the exchange of existing facilities, avoiding duplication, joint plans with donors, recipients, beneficiaries. Work through specialized centers ESD Partnership Network in the Zhytomyr region, Kiev. Enable the integration and training of more than 50 teachers and 100 children on innovation in ESD per 1 training. Creation of courses and distance learning models of ESD into specialized site. Participation in public discussions and preparation of a draft of National Strategy for ESD, the Action Plan for implementation of the Strategy.
Thank you very much for attention! Open for Questions! http://www.ecoosvita.org.ua http://www.gefua.net http://dea.gov.ua E-mail osvita_development@ukr.net