<< Objectives >>By implementing the project, we follow several motivations. First, we would like to increase awareness about microplastics among young people, teachers, and educational institutions. Second, we would like to offer the teachers some quality teaching material that may be used in schools as curricular or extracurricular teaching resources. Thirdly, we would also like to foster discussion on the topic in the general public, possibly leading to reflection about possible solutions to the problem.<< Implementation >>Development and execution of webinars dedicated to spreading theoretical knowledge and general understanding of microplastic pollution and prevention. Developing and availability of online courses on the topic of microplastics and pollution with many shareable digital media learning materials.Delivery of dissemination events to spread ideas and raise awareness of the problematics among youngsters and teachers. Encouragement of reflection among students and teachers by organising the contest.<< Results >>Development of 5 online courses on microplastics serving as an awareness-raising media.Development of high-quality didactic materials and digital learning media.Activation of young future experts to identify innovative ideas on how to tackle the problem of microplastics.Promotion of the microplastics problems and problem-solving solutions in the context of education and training.Introduction of new learning approaches with a transfer of knowledge and good practices to education and training.

<< Background >>The project addresses the PROBLEM of insufficient education and awareness of adults of harmful substances in cosmetics, cleaning and washing products (further referred as: cosmetic products) and their incorrect selection and use, which leads to negative impact on their health, health of their families and the environment. Our project is in line with the “EU's chemicals strategy for sustainability towards a toxic-free environment” (2020) which is a part of the EU's zero pollution ambitions (being a key commitment of the EU Green Deal). The strategy aims at better protection of citizens and the environment and calls for actions which would promote the EU's resilience, establishing a simpler “one substance one assessment” process for the risk and hazard assessment of chemicals and increasing the awareness and education of consumers. Thus, our project shows a high relevance to the current strategic focus of the European Union which reflects in strategies of particular EU countries. Our aim is to fill the gaps where industry and government do not efficiently act. Companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they wish. Czech, Slovak and Slovenia Governments don't review the safety of products before they're sold. Some dangerous ingredients are prohibited but many of them are used anyway. By educating adults we can prevent use of harmful cosmetic products, positively impact their health and protect the environment. The CAUSES of the problem lay in:1/ Lack or insufficient offer of reliable and quality adult education regarding harmful substances in cosmetic products and their responsible use;2/ Lack of methodological support and training for adult educators in the field of healthy and responsible use of cosmetic products by adults;3/ Insufficient ability of consumers to distinguish harmful substances in products and lack of time to find out information about the product ingredients;4/ The absence of a freely accessible platform of educational character where consumers could find all the necessary information about the composition and effects of the products and educate themselves. The CONSEQUENCES of insufficient solving of this situation lead to increase in allergies, diseases and consumer hypersensitivity to certain substances in products and increased environmental pollution due to the use of products containing harmful substances.<< Objectives >>OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:1/ The main objective of the project is to raise awareness and increase the education of adults about harmful substances in cosmetics, cleaning and washing products and to create an innovative learning content and related tools through which adults will acquire knowledge and skills to correctly select and use healthy products. By 31.10.2023 we aim to train min. 90 adults via pilot testing and expect min. 75% successful graduation rate related to final assessment of substantial increase in their knowledge, skills and competences. Plus another 1,800 adults using the final products.2/ The project also aims to increase the knowledge and professional skills of adult educators who lack methodological tools which would enable them to provide targeted education to adults in this area. By 31.10.2023 we aim to produce min. trained and skilled 15 adult educators, plus another 30 using the products. TARGET GROUPS are:1/ Adult learners: especially mothers, mothers on maternity or parental leave or potential mothers who are the primary purchasers of cosmetic products for their families. Secondarily the project's results will be useful also for people with health problems such as allergies, skin diseases, hypersensitivity and young professionals who are actively interested in a healthy lifestyle and environment and wider adult audience. In total we will involve min. 90 adult learners in 3 partner countries (ca. 40 in CZ, 25 in SK, 25 in SI) in full pilot testing. Besides, we will reach another 1,800 adult learners in 3 partner countries (ca. 1000 in CZ, 400 in SK, 400 in SI) who will download the app and access and use the educational platform and related tools. 2/ Adult educators: active in providing education, counselling and training for adults in the field of healthy and responsible use of cosmetic products, healthy lifestyle, environmental education, environmental ethics etc. In total we will involve min. 15 adult educators in pilot testing (ca. 5 in each country) who will participate in face-to-face/online training and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to the project expert team. We expect to attract another at ca. 30 adult educators through our dissemination activities.<< Implementation >>The ACTIVITIES are planned in a logical chronology to achieve the objectives and deliver expected results efficiently. Reaching the objectives will be assessed by impact assessment in 9-10/202311/2021: Start of the project, Preparatory work for the kick-off meeting.12/2021: TPM1 Kick-off meeting (Prague, Czech Republic) - Setting up guidelines, procedures, work breakdown structure, time schedule etc. regarding project management and implementation, communication, monitoring and evaluation.1-4/2022: IO development - online work.5/2022: TPM2 Progress meeting (Bratislava, Slovakia) - Revising IO progress development, plan for further IO development. Plan for recruitment of project participants.9-10/2022: IO development - online work, Preparation and recruitment of project participants.11/2022: TPM3 Progress Meeting (Velenje, Slovenia) - Revising IO progress development. Review of recruitment process for piloting. Elaborating plan for pilot testing, discussing pilot implementation details and its ongoing monitoring.12/2022-5/2023: Piloting of IO. Further development of IO based on continuous feedback from participants.6/2023: TPM4 - Progress and Evaluation meeting (Prague, Czech Republic) - Evaluation of pilot results and incorporation of feedback into IO. Discussing preparation of multiplier events. Discussing reached results and impact, dissemination and sustainability plans.7-8/2023: Further evaluation of pilot results, finalisation of IO, dissemination.9/2023: Dissemination and finalisation of IO. Preparation, implementation and evaluation of Multiplier events. 9-10/2023: Dissemination, final evaluation, reporting.<< Results >>The planned RESULTS of the project ACTIVITIES include:1/ INTELLECTUAL OUTPUT GreenGate - consisting of:-Educational portal with interactive learning content-Mobile app and database of products and ingredients-Methodological toolkit for adult educators-Blog-B-Book 22/ MULTIPLIER EVENTS (3 events in CZ, SK, SI - in total 150 participants)3/ TRANSNATIONAL PROJECT MEETINGS (4 TPMs in CZ 2x, SK, SI)4/ PILOT TEST OF DEVELOPED TOOLS5/ PROJECT DOCUMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION RESULTS The expected IMPACT on adult learners will result in increased awareness, knowledge and skills to distinguish harmful ingredients in cosmetic products, increased ability to find reliable sources of information and choose healthier products, increased environmentally friendly behaviour, reduced health problems etc. Adult educators will be positively impacted by enhanced didactic and methodological skills and increased ability to design and implement their own training programmes. The project will also positively impact participating partner organisations through broadened contacts, increased quality of their educational offer and risen public awareness. Positive impact will be also visible by involved stakeholders who will be given high-quality data and ready-to-use tools for their educational, awareness-raising and advocacy activities regarding environmental education and ethics.

CURIOSOIL ambition is to trigger Soil Curiosity and create connections between people and soil. In line with the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, CURIOSOIL aims to contribute to transforming the way soil is valued, perceived, taught and communicated. The project will build upon actual knowledge and will work to change the vision of soil from mere substrate to an ecosystem that should be researched and protected. This will be achieved through the development of multisensorial Soil Experiences to raise soil literacy, building of a Soil Optimism narrative and through the co-creation of a set of educational products, curriculum standards, and teacher’s training programmes. The co-design and multi-actor approach will promote student and citizen engagement in the Mission Soil as well as in other European, national, and international soil health initiatives and will incentivise behavioural change towards an increased perception of soil value and its sustainable use. CURIOSOIL will promote multilingualism and work in soil educational settings across 15 European countries. In order to address the expected outcomes and deliver impact beyond the project’s lifetime, CURIOSOIL will work across four impact pathways: IP1. Triggering soil curiosity; IP2. Prototyping multiple educational journeys to increase soil literacy; IP3. Empowering communities and initiatives dedicated to soil education; IP4. Influence policymaking through a soil optimism narrative.