Game On for Climate Action
Young leaders of change
The goal is to create a new generation of aware, prepared, and motivated citizens ready to confront the climate crisis. This is achieved through innovative methodologies and a strongly collaborative approach. The ambitious objective: build a European network of young people committed to tackling climate change.
CLIMATIC: a role-playing game to understand climate
With CLIMATIC, students engage in a role-playing game that guides them through the dynamics of global climate systems. Through simulations, strategic choices, and realistic scenarios, they develop critical thinking and decision-making skills related to climate change.
Training those who teach: a program for educators
A dedicated training program for teachers aims to innovate environmental education and bring more experiential and participatory approaches into the classroom.
From theory to action: co-designing sustainability at school
Students and teachers work side by side to implement concrete sustainability actions within their schools: initiatives that improve spaces, change behaviors, and strengthen the role of the school community.
Connected with Europe: transnational exchanges
International exchanges offer students valuable opportunities for dialogue, alliance-building, and experience-sharing, strengthening collective action. They also transform schools into hubs of innovation, participation, and experimentation with sustainable practices.
2025-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000357540
Multiple Disciplines, One Goal
We use a multidisciplinary approach encompassing archaeology, geoarchaeology, and paleoenvironmental studies to reconstruct the history of ancient settlements and landscapes. Excavations and soil analysis aren't just for understanding the site's history; they also help protect it from illegal interventions. The aim is ambitious: to enhance its potential to strengthen its candidacy as a site of cultural and natural interest.
Multiplying Knowledge
We believe that knowledge must be shared. That's why we promote the exchange of know-how between local experts and international researchers. We organize advanced training courses, seminars, and workshops to transfer skills and enrich the Lebanese university system with new, cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. We want to train a generation of professionals capable of protecting and valorizing the heritage with innovative approaches and tools.
Living Heritage for the Community
Qalaat el-Hosn is more than just an archaeological site; it's a piece of the territory's identity. Through educational activities in schools, guided tours for students and tourists, and the training of new local guides, we want to give this heritage back to the community.
Moreover, round tables with institutions, protection agencies, and local operators help define guidelines for integrated territorial development, one that successfully combines cultural valorization, environmental protection, and economic growth. This is a model of sustainable tourism that doesn't just invite observation, but encourages participation, storytelling, and the reliving of Lebanese history, nature, and culture.
An ancient fortified city, a monastery deep in the woods, a landscape shaped by both history and nature. The area within the Local Park of Supra-municipal Interest Rile Tenore Olona holds an extraordinary cultural and environmental heritage: the Castelseprio Archaeological Park and the Monastery of Torba are two unique testimonies of the Lombard past. We are working to enhance the entire area and promote sustainable tourism.
A Path to Rediscover
We aim to restore continuity to the UNESCO site of Castelseprio–Torba by uncovering the ancient route that once connected the Castrum to the Monastery. An immersive itinerary weaving together history and nature, integrated into the RTO Park’s trail network and accessible to all.
Safer paths, scenic viewpoints, and rest areas will offer new perspectives on the landscape, while forest restoration will improve soil stability and habitat quality.
A New Space for Welcoming and Discovery
The former school of Torba will become a visitor hub—a place to get oriented, dive deeper, and experience the area through cultural and educational activities.
Sustainable Mobility and Green Connections
The entire visitor system will be integrated with the Olona Valley cycling and pedestrian path. Our goal is to link the trail to key points of interest through new safe crossings, making access easier and more enjoyable for hikers and cycling tourists.
Thanks to collaboration with the Province of Varese, we are also strengthening sustainable mobility services, with bike rental stations and e-bike charging points, for a more complete and eco-friendly visitor experience.
A Project for the Community
This project is the result of a shared effort among public institutions, local associations, and engaged citizens who care about the future of the Olona Valley.
Through a permanent working group, we promote a participatory approach to land management, actively involving local communities in the stewardship of shared resources.
The goal? To foster more conscious forms of tourism—environmentally respectful and capable of creating new opportunities for the region.
A project by Parco della Pineta di Appiano Gentile e Tradate, in collaboration with Istituto Oikos, FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano, and the Province of Varese.
The goal is twofold: to protect and regenerate the unique ecosystem of Sebkhet Soliman, and to strengthen the capacity of local communities to live in harmony with it.
Regenerative agriculture
We aim to promote a new way of farming—one that respects rather than exploits the land, that uses resources wisely instead of wasting them. We will provide training programmes for farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices that exclude pesticide use and support biodiversity-friendly techniques. Farmers will be supported in the creation of an Agricultural Development Group—a collaborative tool for sharing resources, reducing costs, and encouraging peer-to-peer exchange of knowledge and innovation.
Water, an essential resource
We will implement phytoremediation systems to naturally treat wastewater, making it suitable for irrigation. This will help reduce dependence on aquifers, protect soil fertility, and preserve the ecosystem. Continuous monitoring of biodiversity will ensure that the environment is not only protected—but actively regenerated.
An informed community is a stronger community
We will bring environmental education into schools, involving students and teachers in activities that build awareness of the links between climate, agriculture, and health. At the same time, we will launch public awareness campaigns to shine a light on the impact of plastic pollution and the crucial importance of wetland ecosystems. Because lasting change begins with knowledge and the engagement of those who live the land every day.
No one left behind
We prioritize the involvement of unemployed youth and vulnerable groups—not just to include them in project activities, but also to create safe spaces for information and dialogue on issues like irregular migration, which are often shaped by fear and misinformation. The environment can—and must—be a tool for social inclusion and a source of concrete hope for the future.
We’re working with 3 upper secondary schools in the Province of Varese to provide engaging training and career orientation activities that make STEM subjects more approachable and stimulating. Around 500 students are involved in programs that connect science and sustainability. The pathway helps them understand the value of ecosystem services and explore how technology can be used to protect the environment. The methodologies used encourage creativity, active participation, and critical thinking.
Training and career guidance
Approximately 360 students are taking part in training sessions delivered by industry experts, combining lectures, scientific labs, and hands-on exercises to promote active, engaging learning. Another 500 students are joining meetings with professionals, site visits, and educational outings to discover the environmental and tech careers of the future up-close.
Work-based learning experiences
Each participating school will develop a PCTO (Paths for Transversal Skills and Career Guidance), involving small groups of students (6–7 per group) in practical field activities. These experiences allow students to apply what they’ve learned, develop professional skills, and strengthen soft skills essential for their future.
Teacher training and co-design of learning paths
The student training programmes are co-designed with teachers to reflect the unique features of each school, their academic focus, and class-specific needs. Teachers from partner schools take part in blended training (online and in-person) aimed at providing up-to-date educational tools and effective methodologies for integrating STEM into everyday teaching. The goal is to leave a lasting impact through the creation of educational kits, manuals, and teaching materials to make the project sustainable and replicable in the future.
A project open to the community
STEM-ES also reaches out to the wider community to create a supportive environment for spreading scientific culture and promoting STEM education. Outreach events, science-theatre performances, nature walks, and citizen science activities are planned to bring science into everyday life, strengthening dialogue between schools, families, and citizens, and fostering more informed, active citizenship.
The Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale (Digital Republic Fund) is a partnership between the Italian government and the association of banking foundations (ACRI). It supports the digitalization goals outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the National Complementary Plan (PNC), and is financed through contributions from banking foundations, which benefit from tax credits in return. The fund selects and supports digital training and inclusion projects for various population groups, including NEETs, women, unemployed and inactive individuals, workers at risk of job loss due to automation, secondary school students, social economy workers, people in prison, and vulnerable individuals. Its aim is to evaluate the impact of supported projects and scale the most effective ones to inform future national policy.
For more information: fondorepubblicadigitale.it
Nurturing the future in Piedmont
A Network for Sustainability and Inclusion
In close cooperation with a strong network of local organisations, we are working to transform the Social Garden into a welcoming place open to everyone. Here, we cultivate not only plants but also relationships and opportunities: a community hub for educational activities and support for vulnerable individuals, helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable society.
Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity
To improve crop quality and enrich the diversity of plants, we adopt agroecological practices. The project includes the creation of an orchard with ancient and local varieties, five themed beds with herbaceous and shrub species that promote biodiversity and attract pollinating insects, and a hedge to provide shelter for urban wildlife. We are also installing a rainwater harvesting system and a community composter to reduce waste and improve soil quality: a simple model that can be replicated at home.
Hospitality and Social Inclusion
The Social Garden aims to become a gathering place accessible to all, with special attention to people in vulnerable situations. The construction of a shelter, a changing room and a drinking water point will make the space usable year-round and provide a safe place to meet. We encourage community participation through recreational activities and educational events designed to strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of belonging.
Environmental Education and Healthy Living
Workshops, cooking classes focused on reducing food waste, and social theatre activities — the project offers a variety of opportunities for garden users, local residents and students. With the help of students, we plan to turn the garden into a storytelling path, enriched with messages about biodiversity and the importance of caring for one’s environment. Everyone is invited to take an active role, to learn new skills and to try out practical, eco-friendly habits.
The E.T. Esperimenti Territoriali project, in collaboration with Se.Mi ETS APS and the Municipality of Castellamonte, has received funding from the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo under the “Simbiosi II: Insieme alla Natura per il futuro del Pianeta” call for proposals. This initiative supports projects that protect and enhance natural heritage and biodiversity, while raising public and individual awareness of the impact that environmental degradation has on human health.
Nature as a common ground
To build a bridge of peace between Beirut’s Christian minorities and the hosting community, it is essential to focus on what unites us. We engage 750 students from 15 schools in activities that promote peaceful coexistence and environmental protection as a meeting point for diversity: caring for the environment is a mission that concerns us all, regardless of religious belief or ethnic background.
Students are encouraged to create works of art from recycled materials, conveying messages of peace and environmental sustainability. Alongside teachers, they also participate in creating an interactive digital map that highlights Lebanon’s cultural and religious diversity as a strength.
Cultural exchange events and summer camps for 300 children from different religious communities aim to foster friendships among students of various backgrounds, while also raising environmental awareness.
Access to Social and Healthcare Services: A Priority
Following an update of existing databases to identify the most vulnerable families, we commit to providing basic and specialized healthcare services: general medicine, health screenings for children, and psychological support at a multifunctional center in Karantina, particularly for people with disabilities, single mothers, and the elderly. Community medical centres will be equipped with photovoltaic systems to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Vocational training
In the context of severe economic and social crisis, job opportunities are nearly nonexistent. We offer unemployed youth and women professional courses in agriculture and crafts—such as soap making, tailoring, and food preservation. We also assist participants in accessing both physical and online markets, enabling them to start informal businesses to sell their products.
To combat the food and healthcare emergency, we distribute food packages to 250 vulnerable families, along with hygiene kits that ensure basic health needs are met.
Training and activation: the heart of the project
Thanks to our network of partners, we engage 750 young people in educational activities at both national and international levels, including climate awareness workshops, leadership training, advocacy activities, and international exchanges. In Italy and Slovenia, students participate in National Youth Workshops—training days focused on understanding climate change, local and European environmental policies, and developing advocacy and public speaking skills. These topics are also addressed during a National Youth Training Camp in Bulgaria: a three-day experience that emphasizes training and youth collaboration.
Beyond borders: international events
The project fosters connections among young people from partner countries. An international workshop in Kyustendil, Bulgaria, is designed to delve into youth empowerment and participation in European policies through a simulation of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This is followed by an online training event on advocacy and leadership, open to all young Europeans, and a Youth Summer Leadership Camp in Slovenia, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage in a COP simulation, stepping into the shoes of real leaders.
Collaboration between youth and decision-makers
The dialogue between young people and policymakers is at the core of Power Up! We collaborate with local institution representatives and international professionals to facilitate a mutual exchange of experiences and knowledge. In Milan, a group of 100 students, together with the city’s municipality, initiates a pilot project: the Youth Climate Assembly, which concludes with the presentation of a Resolution Report to the Permanent Citizens' Assembly on Climate. The Assembly is a civic participation body established by the City of Milan two years ago to give citizens a voice in activities related to combating climate change, improving air quality, and promoting ecological transition. Our goal is to gather insights into young people’s expectations, perspectives, and ideas, and integrate them into the work plan of the Permanent Citizens' Assembly on Climate.
Similar actions in four other European cities enable young people to participate in consultation and deliberation processes, actively contributing to decisions on climate and energy transition.
A network of cities for citizen participation in climate policies
We believe that exchange is key to facilitating mutual learning among European municipalities. Together with the City of Milan, we are building a digital platform and organizing a series of eight webinars for 150 participants, including institutional representatives and public authority professionals. This will be followed by a two-day International Forum in Milan, where experts and professionals can deepen the topics discussed online, enhance youth engagement strategies, and share their experiences.
Dissemination and sharing
An international conference in Bulgaria will be an opportunity to present results and best practices to educational institutions, civil society, and local authorities, while in Milan’s schools and youth centres we will organize peer-to-peer initiatives to raise awareness about climate change and disseminate information on the most useful participation tools and platforms. An important exchange opportunity will be the International Youth Summit, with 150 participants, including students, stakeholders, and international guests. At the end of the Summit, the voices of the youth will converge into a single document, which will then be shared at the European level.
Power Up! is a project by Istituto Oikos, realized with the support of the European Union and in collaboration with WWF Bulgaria, No Excuse Slovenia, and the Municipality of Milan.
Find all the latest project updates on the dedicated landing page.
With the PURE project, we tackle the most urgent challenges related to uncontrolled urbanization: access to clean and safe water, environmental degradation, poverty, and gender inequality. We do this by enhancing the services provided by local ecosystems, working across five key areas.
1. Improvement of sanitation services.
We rehabilitate wells, train local authorities on the proper technical and economic management of water, and improve sanitation facilities in schools and health centres. A broad awareness campaign aims to highlight the importance of proper hygiene practices to 12,000 students and their families through interactive workshops and street theatre.
2. Waste management.
One of the main environmental impacts associated with increasing urbanization is pollution caused by waste. To manage this emergency, we set up separate waste collection points in 16 schools and composting systems for school gardens, initiate awareness campaigns on the risks associated with poor waste management, and conduct a feasibility study for the management of biomedical waste.
3. Sustainable urban development.
We offer local authorities practical and strategic skills for effective urban planning that sees the local community as an active part of the process. In parallel, we conduct climate risk assessment studies, useful for defining the most effective management and adaptation strategies. Particular attention is given to the physical and mental well-being of the population: we focus on the redevelopment of public spaces, green areas, and recreational areas.
4. Women empowerment.
After specific market skills training, we aim to develop a participatory design process with a selected group of women: the goal is to enhance the infrastructure and furnishings of markets to improve their commercial activities.
5. Enhancement of natural heritage.
The Ngezi-Vumawimbi Forest is an ecological resource with great educational potential. We aim to revitalize this green area by making it a reference point for the community: we organize field visits for public officials and students, with activities that emphasize the importance of protecting this precious resource. The forest will also host a training centre for organic waste composting, available to schools and communities.
With the AlleLanza project, we support the Land Association with an important goal: to prevent and oppose land abandonment and disruption through the activation of community management of abandoned land.
The project intervenes on three fronts:
1. Capacity building for public administration
We want environmental issues to become an integral part of municipal activities. Therefore, we offer a training course focused on forest management and enhancement of ecosystem services, but also on problems and opportunities that the land can offer, with a view to improving its management.
At the same time, we support the drafting of the Land Association Management Plan, which defines criteria and solutions for managing the areas in a way that is both sustainable and profitable.
2. Networking with companies
The involvement of local companies is indispensable during the process of green employment revival. The Land Association will be supported in the creation of a network of companies, operating particularly in the forestry, agricultural, tourism and recreational sectors, in order to create partnerships that strengthen the economy on a local scale.
3. Communication and active participation
To expand the Land Association network of members and make itself known throughout the territory, it is necessary to define its positioning and recognisability in the local context. So we will support it in defining an effective communication and promotion strategy.