The 3-year-long project “Naturally Sustainable” has concluded
The 3-year-long project “Naturally Sustainable” has come to an end. Three years ago, the implementation of the project “Naturally Sustainable” began with the goal of making sustainable learning more creative and dynamic through gamification and innovative educational tools. Six countries were involved in the project: Latvia, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Finland. A wide range of materials has been systematized to help educators and students better understand global issues and promote sustainable actions.
Various activities were carried out as part of the project: research was conducted, workshops were organized, an IT platform was developed, and evaluation tools were created. Special attention was given to the development of digital materials that motivate students and educators to change their daily habits. Changes do not always have to be global; sometimes small actions are enough – riding a bicycle instead of using public transport or a car, or walking a few kilometers each day. If one person does this, it may not make a difference, but if thousands or millions do, noticeable changes are achieved. That is why one of the project’s goals was to create materials that would encourage as wide an audience as possible to at least think about how we impact the environment. Once the situation is understood, it’s clear that change is necessary. Moreover, the materials developed during the project addressed global problems in simple and comprehensible language.
As a result, materials were created that educators and teachers can use when discussing climate change, resource management, and sustainable solutions. One of the project participants, J. Christophe Wells, emphasized that although the media provides a wealth of information on the topic, materials that present the information clearly, simply, and concisely are often lacking—exactly the type of resources that can help young people develop understanding and a desire to engage.
One of the most significant outcomes of the project is the creation of a multilingual learning platform. Now, materials are available in multiple languages, offering support to educators worldwide. Additionally, a handbook and interactive tools have been developed, making the understanding and application of sustainability ideas in personal life more accessible and attractive.
The three years of work culminated in a conference held on September 25 at the RISEBA premises, which was streamed live on several digital platforms. During the conference, the tools and methods developed as part of the project were presented. The discussions went beyond the achievements, with speakers emphasizing the need to continue the work to expand understanding of the importance of sustainable development.
J. Christophe Wells and RISEBA have been collaborating for five years. During the project implementation, RISEBA University has become a leading collaboration partner. J. Christophe Wells highly appreciated the work done during his visit to Riga. He praised RISEBA’s excellent work culture, emphasizing that RISEBA University is a progressive educational institution that not only allows students to grow and change but also encourages them to change the world around them.