The PEDIA project reflects the targets and implements the outcomes of COP 26 of 2021 and COP 27 of 2022, UN SDG 4.7, the UNESCO Framework for Education for Sustainable Development, the EU 'Green Deal', and most recently the Declarations of the 9th Ministerial Meeting on Environment in Europe of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, hosted in Cyprus last October, regarding 'Sustainable Infrastructure' and 'Education for Sustainable Development'.
Further, it aligns and implements the objectives of the UNECE's Education for Sustainable Development Strategy 2030, moving from planning to practice in terms of the elements of the Holistic School Approach, focusing on the creation of a positive environment in schools through the design of school building features (thermal comfort, ventilation, lighting) as important components in shaping the environmental and energy awareness of all participants in the educational process, but above all as determinants in ensuring the quality of learning and improving learning outcomes.
PEDIA is added to the chain of initiatives of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY), and each school participating in the programme is part of the systematic, integrated and consistent implementation of the Ministry's integrated strategic plan for Education for Sustainable Development and Green Transition which is based on the operation of a permanent horizontal structure for Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development which has a wealth of work to present which is not limited to the narrow context of Cyprus. It is no coincidence, moreover, that Cyprus, through the Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, plays a leading role in the development of policy and strategy on Education for Sustainable Development issues at regional and international level, culminating in the Chairmanship of the UNECE Committee on Education for Sustainable Development and the Chairmanship of the corresponding Mediterranean Committee. A recent evaluation of the European Commission regarding the integration of Education for Sustainable Development in the education policies of the member states, highlighted Cyprus as an example of reference and a model for other countries, ranking it at the top.
For the implementation of PEDIA, which is funded by the EU, a methodological tool for the application of ranking criteria specific to schools in Cyprus was developed [BY THE ENERGY OFFICE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICES OF THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE ENERGY SERVICE OF THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF DEVELOPMENT], the application of which can reflect the actual energy upgrade needs of each school building. In the call for expression of interest, 162 schools from all educational levels applied for energy upgrading, of which 144 were eligible. All schools were assessed and ranked. Today we announce the first five schools to be included in the PEDIA programme.
8 months from today, these will be model green schools in Cyprus for an investment of about €2m. More schools will follow since, in agreement with the General Directorate of Development, the project is included in the Thaleia funding programme to leverage another €20m and significantly increase the number of green school buildings in Cyprus within a total investment of €30m.
The project, obviously, becomes an iconic project for Cyprus, but also a benchmark for Europe.
The project, obviously, becomes an icon for Cyprus, but also an example for Europe. A 'showcase' project for the Ministry of Education, green schools of creation for the Sustainable Development Education Unit, spaces that systematize within the educational process life attitudes for teachers and students in the field of sustainability and sustainable development.
Thanks to all those involved in the project. We all look forward to seeing measurable results of the green transformation of school buildings, which we will use both for the enrichment of the educational process and for the formulation of strategies concerning counselling for vocational training and retraining programmes in the context of Lifelong Learning.
(AF/EXP)
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