After a year of engaging in transnational exchanges and attending a national training course, our participants are now taking the lead in creating and implementing their own local initiatives. Supported by the Green Up Development project, these initiatives aim to address pressing environmental challenges in their communities. By putting the skills and knowledge they’ve gained into practice, these projects are bringing sustainability, awareness, and positive change to local areas.
Here are summaries of our three small-scale initiatives reflecting the values of the Green Up Development project and serving as a testament to the power of youth action
Vienna Trashtalk
Improper waste disposal and recycling confusion are major challenges in Vienna, leading to contamination of recyclables and inefficient waste management. Vienna Trashtalk project aims to address this issue by educating international residents about proper waste separation and sustainable recycling methods.
Objectives of the project are:
- Raise awareness about proper waste separation in Vienna, specifically targeting expats.
- Create engaging social media content (in cooperation with expat pages) to inform about recycling methods.
- Conduct interactive Kahoot quizzes to engage the community and collect data on recycling challenges.
- Develop clear recycling guidelines in English, focusing on commonly confused items.
- Map recycling bins across Vienna, providing an easy reference to help people dispose of waste correctly.
Through engaging social media campaigns, informative posts on social media pages, an incoming booklet in English on proper waste separation, and a Google Map initiative to locate recycling bins, the project strives to make waste management more accessible and understandable. By targeting Vienna expat residents, young people, schools, and local organizations, Vienna Trashtalk hopes to foster a culture of responsible recycling.
Follow Vienna Trashtalk on Instagram and Facebook for recycling tips, updates, and engaging content to help you master waste separation.
EcoWise Essentials Workshop
The EcoWise Essentials Workshop was created in response to concerns about the harmful effects of commercial cleaning products, their environmental impact, and their potential harm to human health. Despite growing awareness about these issues, many people struggle to take action and transition to eco-friendly alternatives. This workshop empowers young adults (ages 18–30) by teaching them practical skills to reduce waste and replace toxic products with sustainable, eco-friendly options. Participants will learn how to create reusable products and repurpose items, benefiting not only the environment but also their health and budgets.
This project offers a unique opportunity to learn sustainable living practices in a fun and interactive setting. Participants will engage in an informative session about the harmful effects of commercial products and explore the benefits of zero waste living. Through hands-on DIY activities, they will create eco-friendly, reusable products using simple, everyday materials. To support their continued efforts, a digital booklet with recipes and helpful tips will be shared with participants. The workshop’s impact will be amplified through social media videos showcasing the activities, with collaboration from local sustainability influencers to help spread the message and encourage others to adopt eco-friendly habits.
Battery Bridge – Battery and E-waste Disposal Initiative
The Battery Bridge initiative is a community-driven project designed to tackle the growing issue of improper battery and e-waste disposal in Graz. With families, especially those with children, being major contributors to battery waste through the use of toys and household devices, this project aims to educate and empower local residents to adopt sustainable disposal habits. By raising awareness and providing accessible solutions, the project seeks to reduce battery waste and foster a greener future for Graz.
Objectives of the project are:
- Develop and promote an online map highlighting battery and e-waste disposal sites.
- Raise awareness through social media campaigns, workshops, and the celebration of
International Battery Disposal Day. - Engage families and the broader community through competitions, giveaways, and DIY
activities. - Reduce battery waste by fostering sustainable disposal practices in the community.
The project will launch an online map highlighting battery and e-waste disposal sites, making it easier for residents to locate proper disposal locations. An engaging social media campaign will promote the map and provide useful information on how to dispose of batteries correctly. Interactive workshops will be held for families and children, including fun DIY activities like creating personal battery collection boxes. To further engage the community, a battery collection competition will be organized, with prizes for the most successful participants. The project will culminate in the celebration of International Battery Disposal Day, featuring community events, giveaways, and additional awareness-raising efforts.
Follow The Battery Bridge on Facebook to stay updated on upcoming workshops, community events, and proper battery disposal!
Be sure to check back for new developments, progress updates, and opportunities to get involved in our local initiatives. Together, we’re driving change and building a more sustainable future!