The Paola Scout Group recently participated in an Erasmus+ funded project on environmental sustainability, joining scouts and organizations from Malta (Lija Scout Group, Siggiewi Scout Group, Żebbuġ Scout Group and Żejtun Scout Group), Georgia, Turkey, Lithuania, and Finland. The initiative aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable practices through educational activities and hands-on initiatives.
The project’s first mobility, in Lithuania (July 2023), highlighted clean energy and waste reduction, with participants visiting a wind turbine farm and a campsite utilizing eco-friendly practices, of which water and waste recycling. Participants also participated in a river clean-up initiative. Inspired by these efforts, the Maltese participants organized a sea clean-up and beach clean-up upon their return. Additionally, they took scouts to visit the Salina Bird Park, which like the Lithuanian campsite incorporates water recycling within its facilities.
In Georgia (September 2023), participants joined a street clean-up campaign, promoting a culture of cleaner public spaces. The visit to Georgia introduced participants to an innovative initiative where collected waste is exchanged for mobile cables and ports, highlighting creative approaches to recycling. In line with Georgian efforts to recycle waste, during the Maltese mobility (April 2024), participants attended a workshop by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to learn about local waste reduction initiatives in line with EU policies. Additionally, participants were taken to visit Green Skip Malta Ltd., a local organization that collects and exports waste abroad, showcasing Malta’s efforts in sustainable waste management.
During Finland’s mobility (July 2024), participants explored sustainable farming at JALOTUS, a communal farm. This inspired Paola and Żebbuġ Scout Groups to plant produce in their respective gardens. Finland’s emphasis on recycling clothes and household goods also motivated the Paola Scouts to encourage volunteering at the Inspire Charity Shop, which promotes the reuse of second-hand items.
The Turkish mobility (September 2024) introduced participants to innovative recycling at Antalya’s Innovation Centre, where waste materials are transformed into art. The Paola Scout Group adopted these practices by making recycled paper crafts, later shared as Christmas decorations at Dar l-Annunzjata care home. Inspired by Turkish sea conservation efforts, the scouts collaborated with the NGO Saving Our Blue to deliver workshops on local marine ecosystem preservation.
Other activities included visits to the Salina Nature Reserve, where scouts learned about bird conservation. They also launched a battery recycling campaign, collecting used batteries for Batteries Hospice, and participating in a workshop led by this NGO on safe battery disposal.
Through these initiatives, the Paola Scout Group showcased its commitment to fostering environmental awareness and action, empowering scouts and their families to lead sustainable lifestyles.