The “Empowering Children for Environmental Sustainability through E-STEM – EcosySTEM Project” is being implemented by IDEA Universal with the support of the European Union’s Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme.
Project Number: BSB00354
Overall Project Budget: €1,627,759.24
EU Funding: €1,464,983.28
Start and End Date of the Project:
02.07.2024 / 01.07.2026
The Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme is a program that promotes cross-border cooperation between countries located in the Black Sea Basin. Funded by the European Union, this program develops projects in areas such as environmental sustainability, economic development, and cultural and social integration. Its objectives include protecting nature and biodiversity, reducing pollution, developing green infrastructure, and combating climate change.
Under this program, projects like EcosySTEM focus directly on environmental education, sustainable development, and increasing environmental awareness among younger generations. The EcosySTEM Project aims to develop innovative educational modules and establish educational centers to enhance environmental awareness among children and young people aged 8-11 and 12-15 in the Black Sea Basin. Through this effort, the project seeks to empower the younger generation as active contributors to environmental sustainability and make a positive impact on addressing environmental issues in the Black Sea region.
The EcosySTEM Project brings together institutions from Turkey, Greece, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. Project partners share best practices according to their expertise to develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The project, which will be led by the International Development and Environment Association – IDEA Universal from Turkey, includes contributions from DUTH – Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, UABSC – Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centers in Ukraine, and IO-BAS – Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Bulgaria. This international collaboration for environmental protection will enhance the impact and reach of the project by sharing resources. Thus, a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to common pollution and environmental protection issues in the Black Sea Basin can be followed.
EcosySTEM Projesi, Türkiye, Yunanistan, Ukrayna ve Bulgaristan’dan kurumları bir araya getirdi. Proje ortakları, uzmanlıkları doğrultusunda en iyi uygulamaları paylaşarak çevre sorunlarına yenilikçi çözümler geliştiriyor. Türkiye’den Uluslararası Kalkınma ve Çevre Derneği – IDEA Universal’in liderliğinde yürütülecek projeye Yunanistan’dan DUTH – Democritus University of Trace, Ukrayna’dan UABSC – Ukrainian Association of Business Support Center, Bulgaristan’dan IO-BAS – Institue of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences katkı sağlıyor. Çevre koruma için yapılan bu uluslararası iş birliği, materyal paylaşımını sağlayarak projenin etkisini ve erişimini artıracak. Böylece Karadeniz Havzası’ndaki ortak kirlilik sorunu ve çevre koruma konularında daha kapsamlı ve sürdürülebilir bir yaklaşım izlenebilecek.
Bulgaristan’dan IO-BAS – Institue of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences katkı sağlıyor. Çevre koruma için yapılan bu uluslararası iş birliği, materyal paylaşımını sağlayarak projenin etkisini ve erişimini artıracak. Böylece Karadeniz Havzası’ndaki ortak kirlilik sorunu ve çevre koruma konularında daha kapsamlı ve sürdürülebilir bir yaklaşım izlenebilecek.
E-STEM Based Content Will Raise Environmental Awareness
The EcosySTEM Project will adopt a STEM education approach that integrates the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a holistic way. The comprehensive content prepared on environmental protection will be integrated with STEM disciplines and will include modules on ecosystems, water, air, soil, and waste management. Thanks to this innovative education model, children will develop their knowledge and skills in areas such as ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution, global warming, scarcity, erosion, deforestation, renewable energy, waste management, recycling, and composting.
Four Centers Equipped with State-of-the-Art Technology Will Be Established
In line with these objectives, the first step will be to create innovative educational modules and content materials to promote environmental education and STEM disciplines. These resources will be accessible to educators, students, and educational institutions in the Black Sea Basin, reaching a broad audience. This will provide educators with quality and engaging content, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues and encouraging sustainable practices. Additionally, the project will establish four centers equipped with state-of-the-art technology that will focus on environmental education. These centers, where all partners will conduct synchronized activities, will be able to train at least 300 students. During the project implementation period, awareness campaigns and activities designed to inform and engage young people about environmental issues in the Black Sea Basin will also be carried out.
Çok yönlü proje çocukları çevre korumada güçlendirecek
EcosySTEM Projesi, Karadeniz Havzası’ndaki çocuklar, gençler, eğitmenler, aileler ve yerel topluluklar da dahil olmak üzere çeşitli paydaşlara fayda sağlayacak. Çocuklar ve gençler, çevresel sorunları daha iyi anlayacak ve çevresel sürdürülebilirliğe aktif katkıda bulunmak için gerekli beceri ve bilgiye sahip olacaklar. Eğitmenler, öğretim yeteneklerini geliştiren profesyonel kaynaklara erişim elde edebilecek. Aileler ve yerel topluluklar, artan çevre bilinci ve sürdürülebilir uygulamalardan fayda sağlayacak. 2026 yılında tamamlanması öngörülen proje sonrasında edinilen kaynaklardan, proje ortakları, sivil toplum kuruluşları, eğitmenler ve yerel halk yararlanabilecek. Bu sayede çevre koruma ve sürdürülebilirlik alanlarında çocukların güçlendirilmesini esas alan proje, sadece kendi zaman dilimiyle sınırlı kalmayıp gelecek nesiller üzerinde de güçlü bir etki bırakacak.
A Multifaceted Project to Empower Children in Environmental Protection
The EcosySTEM Project will benefit various stakeholders, including children, young people, educators, families, and local communities in the Black Sea Basin. Children and young people will gain a better understanding of environmental issues and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to actively contribute to environmental sustainability. Educators will have access to professional resources that enhance their teaching abilities. Families and local communities will benefit from increased environmental awareness and sustainable practices. The resources acquired through the project will be available to project partners, NGOs, educators, and local residents even after the project’s scheduled completion in 2026. Thus, the project, which is designed to empower children in the fields of environmental protection and sustainability, will not be limited to its own timeframe but will leave a lasting impact on future generations.
IDEA Universal (International Development and Environment Association) is a transparent and independent non-profit organization founded in 2017. Continuously creating developmental programs in Turkey, Africa and Asia. Relentlessly working nonstop to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and counting. File number: #34-237-193