Sustainable Environment project – Training course in Italy
The “Sustainable Environment: a key to sustainable life” project seek to develop key sustainability competences in the students and teachers involved in each partner country, namely Turkey, Spain and Italy. For the second international training course, partners and participants met in Fano (Italy). The training course was organized by Training 2000.
The activities planned for the training course in Italy were designed to teach the participants about sustainable development and eco-friendly practices as they were implemented in the Italian context. On the first day, participants visited the Technical-Agricultural Institute “A.Cecchi” in Pesaro where they were introduced to permaculture core concepts and techniques for economic and environmental sustainability. The international groups took a tour of the magnificent Villa Caprile, an example of Baroque residence of the Marche region now housing the Cecchi high school and its training programmes.
The second day focused on organic farming. Luca Colombo, secretary of the Italian Foundation for Research in Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture (Firab), described how local policies affect agriculture and entrepreneurship through the DiverIMPACT project (Diversification through Rotation, Intercropping, Multiple Cropping, Promoted with Actors and value-Chains towards Sustainability). Particularly, Colombo addressed Case study 22, the adoption of strip cropping in organic farms in the Marche region, in the Lubachi farm (Pesaro and Urbino province). Pupils and teachers had the chance to visit the farm as an example of local businesses that have implemented sustainable practices.
The activities planned for the third day aimed at exploring available sustainability-related projects able to raise awareness and support learners on green practices and eco-innovation. Main topics were rural tourism and organic agriculture, the Mediterranean diet for a healthy lifestyle, traditional food in Europe and eco-entrepreneurship. The circular economy concepts and main implications were presented to participants. The objective was helping to develop and implement sustainability projects in the participants’ schools and local communities. The e-learning course and its varied training material will help to create a lasting impact and inspire others to take action towards a more sustainable future.
Finally, as part of the training on sustainable waste management, attendees visited the collection and recycling plant and the Monteschiantello landfill in Fano, both managed by ASET (local public utility organization). The engineers and technical personnel working for the municipality of Fano explained the waste cycle implemented in the area (11 municipalities involved) and how dangerous byproducts are managed in the plant thanks to an innovative gas management system (including biogas recovery) and leachate management system.
In line with the project idea, on the last day students brainstormed on ways to create a their own permaculture garden and network with young people who are passionate about sustainability in their communities. The traning session was supported by the online course providing learning material and exercises on the topics discussed during those days.
The next international training course will be in Spain. Stay tuned for more updated!