ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Transforming education for a sustainable future 

Ibda L-Bidla is an initiative by Kopin in Malta, designed to integrate sustainable development, migration, and inclusion into the education system. The project aims to equip primary and secondary school teachers with resources and training to raise awareness about food security, environmental issues, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. It creates opportunities for meaningful learning and encourages acceptance of migrant and minority backgrounds. 

Empowering educators and fostering inclusion 
The programme specifically targets migrant children, low-income families, and children from minority groups who are often victims of bullying and xenophobia. Teachers are provided with educational tools that focus on sustainable development and inclusion, fostering a supportive classroom environment for all students. The resources are freely available on Kopin’s website to increase accessibility. 

Collaboration with local communities 
Kopin works closely with local schools and authorities to ensure the success of the project. Local authorities contribute with resources, funding, and knowledge, while the project coordinates efforts with other community initiatives to expand its reach. Social learning and trust-building are integral to the programme’s approach, ensuring that it complements and strengthens existing community efforts. 

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Tackling food waste and food insecurity to help low-income Serbians

The Serbian initiative “Spasimo Hranu” (Save Food, Save Humanity) raises awareness about food waste and food donations; donates food surplus to vulnerable people; and aims to improve laws concerning food donation. This way, the initiative addresses the issues of food insecurity, food sharing, and food waste in Serbia, while considering practical, legal, and societal aspects. It also addresses the environmental impact of food destruction in terms of generated emissions.

Media campaign
A campaign launched by Save Food, Save Humanity aimed to increase public awareness of the problem of food waste and insufficient food donations in Serbia, and thus increases food donations. Food donations are increasing and food producers and merchants want to donate surplus food. Yet, the donated food makes up only a small portion of the total surplus food available. The initiative therefore aims to enhance a closer cooperation of all stakeholders for food surplus to be available to humanitarian organisations.

Improving the legal framework for food donation
In November 2020, the initiative helped to submit a proposal to abolish Value Added Tax on food donations close to the expiration date. This proposal was supported by the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and the City of Belgrade. Save Food, Save Humanity then contributed to a proposal stating that all food donations should be exempt from VAT. 

For Serbians with low-income
The at-risk-of-poverty rate in Serbia was 21.7% in 2020, and most people within this category are exposed to food insecurity. In face of this challenge, the main vulnerable group targeted by the initiative is the low-income population in Serbia.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Healthy and sustainable food policy in Flemish schools

The Belgian initiative ‘School Food Labs’ guides pilot schools that go through a two-year process to make the food provided at school more sustainable. This happens under the guidance of GoodFood@School, which is a collaborative project by Rikolto, GoodPlanet and Fairtrade Belgium to help all Flemish schools integrate a healthy and sustainable food policy. Indeed, the outcomes of the initiative will be used to inform and inspire similar ways of promoting sustainable food policy on a larger scale, in schools across Flanders.

The initiative is carried out in eleven different schools, spread over four Flemish cities: Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Leuven. The schools carry out a variety of actions to improve food sustainability, provide healthy food, and raise awareness about sustainability in general. This includes the following examples: making the school cafeteria a more attractive place to be, visiting rooftop farms and biological farms, organising ‘fair food festivals’ at school, and other creative ways of influencing children’s food values.

For children, including those with low-income and migration backgrounds
The School Food Labs initiative targets children, primarily between 12 and 18 years old. Some involved schools also have an attached elementary school and/or kindergarten, so the age range is in some cases below 12 too. Some of the involved schools are largely attended by children from a low-income background, often going to school without having had breakfast and/or without bringing any lunch. In some of these schools, the initiative also focuses on classes that are tailored towards recently migrated children who do not speak Dutch.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Connecting diverse groups of people through sustainable cooking

‘Samenkeuken’ (‘Kitchening Together’) is a project initiated across Flanders, Brussels, and (to a lesser extent) the Netherlands by the non-profit association Velt. Citing the power of cooking in groups to connect people with each other and their environment, this initiative aims to stimulate culinary get-togethers among diverse groups of people and provide guidance on ecologically sustainable cooking by professionals.

Each group is advised to meet up at least once per season to maintain social bonds and to have the opportunity to work with seasonal ingredients. Participants are encouraged to improvise based on taste combinations and not rely on recipes, to limit food waste to near-zero, and to learn about ways of storing food for later (i.e., drying, fermenting, …). ‘Samenkeuken’ cooking groups are kick-started under the guidance of Velt’s so-called eco-chefs, who have a lot of experience and knowledge in ecological cooking and are skilled at coaching groups of people.

Durable social connections for vulnerable people
Velt is an independent non-profit pluralistic association that aims to promote ecological living, cooking, and gardening. It has been around for 45 years in both Belgium and the Netherlands, connecting people and initiating as well as guiding ecological projects. Velt not only provides its ‘Samenkeuken’ services to groups of people that approach them, but it also collaborates with organisations that work with vulnerable people. This introduces people who are marginalized, excluded, and/or socially isolated to ecologically sustainable (and healthy) food and creates durable social connections among the participants. This initiative thus emphasises the importance of community and cooking together, especially when it comes to connecting people from diverse vulnerable groups.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Distributing food to those in need with Zero Food Waste Cyprus

Zero Food Waste Cyprus (ZFWC) is a team of young volunteers who aim to reduce food waste by collecting food that would have been thrown away and distributing it to people in need. The volunteers also aim to inform and provide methods for the prevention of food waste in people’s daily lives.

This initiative was developed for the refugees and people in need in the city of Nicosia, Cyprus, and first took place in February 2018. Local vendors at the “OXI” food market were willing to donate food that would have otherwise been wasted. Through the involvement of young volunteers who dedicate their Saturdays, food gets collected from the market and redistributed to anyone in need. The volunteers have recently expanded their operations and now cover two markets: one in Nicosia and one in Kyrenia.

Against climate change and food inequality
Through its activities, this voluntary organization works on the United Nations sustainable development goals of food security, well-being, sustainable cities, responsible production-consumption and climate action.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Large scale food waste reduction in the Czech Republic with ‘Safe the Food’

Since its initiation in 2013 in Prague, the initiative Zachraň Jídlo (Safe the Food) has conducted several awareness-raising campaigns, participated in research projects and sought systemic changes to reduce food waste. It aims for the Czech Republic to reduce food waste with 50% between 2020 and 2030. For this to happen, consumers, farmers, retailers and restaurateurs need to radically reduce the amount of food discarded and at the same time make food waste socially unacceptable. The initiative also strives to motivate the state, cities and municipalities to take concrete measures to reduce waste. Saved food is given to vulnerable groups, such as homeless people and migrants.

Changing the system
Safe the Food combines research, activism, awareness-raising activities and active engagement of volunteers while cooperating with a large numbers of actors, such as firms, local authorities and NGOs. As such, it manages to achieve systemic changes. Because of its campaign ‘I am ready’ in 2016, huge supermarket chains started to sell “ugly” vegetables and fruit. Another example of significant change is that in 2013, Safe the Food initiated debate on a 15% tax imposed on food which supermarkets give to charities or food banks. A year later the tax was cancelled.

Serving those in need
Safe the Food actively works with people without homes, migrants, people with low income, single parents, including mothers, and seniors. It organises workshops for them, maps their needs and provides them with food and meals. For example, the initiative organised a workshop about how to cook sustainably and for ‘few crowns’. Safe the Food shared recipes with participants, cooked together and taught them how to store food. Another significant happening was the Lunch in Need (2021), when 162 lunch leftovers from various canteens and restaurants in Prague were delivered to vulnerable groups.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Empowering people to live and work ecologically (Czech Republic)

Ekologický institute Veronica (Ecological Institute Veronica), located in Brno, Czech Republic, aims to protect nature through education, trainings and consulting. The association is registered under the Czech Union for Nature Conservation since 1991. Yet, it already started in 1986 as a local activity publishing a journal connecting culture with nature protection and raising awareness about ecology.

Focus areas
The institute focuses on protection of nature and landscapes, including protection of animals and land in both urban and rural areas; sustainable consumption; ecological operation of enterprises and institutions, pertaining to energy efficiency and biodiversity in and around buildings; and finally ecological constructions, such as passive houses, sustainable energy, energy self-sufficient towns and natural gardens.

Accessible learning about ecology
As one of their projects, the institute built an ecological training centre in Hostětín where they provide educational activities about climate protection for people with disabilities, seniors, children and the general public. The institute develops their relationship with nature, motivates them to protect the environment and shows possibilities for applying a more ecological approach in their households. In order to be accessible to anyone, the centre is adapted for people with disabilities. The institute also employs people with disabilities and others who are disadvantaged on the labour market, thus helping those who are socio-economically vulnerable.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Czech mother and son inspire local communities to produce and consume sustainable food

Bio Pekárna Zemanka (Bio Bakery Zemanka) is a producer of fair homemade organic biscuits and crackers. The bakery was founded in 2006 in a Czech town called Sedlčany by a son and his mother, who is a professional baker. They also opened a shop in Prague where they sell their freshly baked goods. The duo bakes for anyone who wants to eat healthy and sustainably and dedicates special efforts to children, including those with allergies, and vegans.

The business focuses on sustainability and environmentally friendly production. The founders purchase raw materials from Czech suppliers and local organic farmers, and process raw materials that have already been used in line with circular economy principles. They pack their products in easily recyclable packaging to minimise packaging waste, and deliver their products to packaging-free stores using shared transport to minimise carbon footprints. Thanks to this, they saved hundreds of kilos of foil and paper. Moreover, they use energy only from renewable sources.

Workshops for children
To educate, inspire and motivate children, the Bio Bakery organised online workshops in schools about its work and more generally about sustainable food production and consumption. The workshops included an introduction to the team and a virtual tour of the bakery.

Employing locals
Motivated to be more involved in the development of the Sedlčany region, the bakery owners support local projects and employ local people. They apply a progressive attitude towards their employees, having Code of Ethics, Chart of diversity, and voluntary programs for employees to participate in two days a month. The mother and son also educate their employees on ecology and sustainability. Their aim is to inspire other companies and individuals to develop sustainable businesses as well. Thanks to their efforts, they received a Green Brands award in 2021.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

From festivals to board games: Czech NGO inspires sustainable lifestyles

Na Mysli is a Czech non-profit organization founded in 2019, dealing with issues of global sustainability, climate change and related environmental aspects. They try to restore the relationship between the urban population and the environment, support and motivate individuals on the way to a responsible lifestyle and simplify these steps for them. Based in Malotice (Czech Republic), the NGO’s vision is for all residents to adopt a lifestyle based on mutual respect between the community and the environment, for a prosperous planet and a sustainable future.

Sharing knowledge
The organisation is mainly engaged in educational work in the field of climate change, food security, sustainable agriculture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The NGO organizes screenings of documentary films, debates with experts and thematic workshops. They tailor-make interactive training for employees, students and the public, where participants assimilate environmental topics in a fun way. Another activity is offering sustainable lifestyle consultations for individuals and organizations.

Activities for all age groups
Activities focus on kids and young people, but are also made accessible to other vulnerable groups, such as elderly and people with low income. Some of their activities are free of charge to be attractive for various groups. Examples include playing climate-themed board games and attending a film festival called ‘The Earth on a Plate’ (2021).

LGBTQA+ community
Na Mysli actively participated in the Prague Pride festival as they helped with its sustainability and provided awareness-raising activities. The organisation also makes visible women experts, politicians, activists, hereby interconnecting climate topics and human rights. Worth mentioning is that the NGO uses gender sensitive language and is led by four women.

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ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

The appreciation of ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables in Denmark

The Danish initiative EatGrim puts ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables which would otherwise be thrown away in boxes and sells these at affordable prices. The food is supplied by farmers in Europe and delivered to people in Denmark every week. The main objectives are to reduce food waste and change attitudes around food values. For instance, the initiative teaches people that bad-looking food is perfectly fit for consumption. Moreover, the initiative has a clear mission of reducing climate impact. Since the war in Ukraine, food security has also become an important focus.

By women, for farmers
Two young Danish women, Carolin and Petra, founded and lead EatGrim. The initiative empowers European farmers as they are paid fair wages: a large part of what is paid for the vegetable boxes goes directly to the farmers. EatGrim’s motto shows that inclusion lies at the heart of the initiative: ‘we celebrate all colors, shapes and sizes – with both people and food’.

Raising awareness
EatGrim also carries out actions such as awareness raising and advocacy. Through Instagram they share info graphics with facts and numbers about food waste around the world and attempt to raise awareness about climate change.

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