Our development and lifestyle have resulted in changes to the environment and human populations, consequently leading to drastic global issues (hunger, poverty, environmental degradation, etc.). The United Nations have been trying to address global problems by defining 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) targeted at ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Sustainable Development Project

As part of the LORA project, in which Biom participates as a partner, educational programmes for sustainable development will be designed and developed, and subsequently implemented in 21 primary schools and in 3 partner associations. All programmes will be highly collaborative, they will involve intensive cooperation with the local community, and will be tailored to each school’s specific needs. The project’s special feature is that it will be implemented across the Republic of Croatia, with one school from each county included in the project.

Schools as partners and associates

In the preparation phrase, the project was joined by the Borovje Elementary School from Zagreb, acting in the capacity of a partner. The school is already a holder of the International Eco-School status and the Microsoft Showcase School status thanks to integrating STEM into their extracurricular activities. The remaining 20 elementary schools will join the project as associated organisations who we will cooperate with on the establishment of educational programmes throughout the project duration, i.e. until March 2021.

LORA will also include teachers who will receive training via seminars and workshops, enabling them to work on their personal and professional development, develop skills and competencies, and improve working methods in the area of sustainable development. Teachers will also receive training in the area of key sustainable development components (society, economy and environment) in order to be fully capable of independently implementing sustainable development projects in both their school and local community.

Contemporary education

The planned activities will also include students who, mentored by their teachers and with professional support from the associations, will design and implement their own projects which will involve the local community and volunteers, helping them acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge of values, processes and practices of sustainable development.

Also, participation in the project will enhance the integration of informal learning methods into the formal school curriculum. By encouraging practical, research and project-based classes, students will be motivated to learn and develop a sense of team work and mutual respect, while also building their confidence.

Project Manager: Association Bioteka

Project duration: 1 June 2019 – 31 March 2021

Total project value: HRK 1,276,856.40, of which HRK 1,149,170.76 is financed by the Office of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Cooperation with NGOs through the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme.