Qatar’s Eco-Schools programme is fostering youth-led environmental action.

Operated in the country by the Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future, the Eco-Schools programme was launched by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in Europe in 1994.

Extending from kindergarten to universities, the programme is the largest international network of students and teachers in the world. It involves 51,000 schools and institutions, and more than 19,000,000 students in 67 countries. The programme is called EcoCampus at university level.

Since its launch in Qatar in 2018, this international initiative has been dedicated to empowering students to spearhead sustainable change within their communities.

The programme plays a pivotal role in cultivating environmental awareness among Qatari youth, with its most recent milestone being successfully engaging with 20 public schools in Qatar.

“In the academic year 2023-2024, we worked with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and welcomed onboard 20 public schools and trained 67 teachers,” said Ruba Hinnawi, Technical Lead at Earthna.

“This milestone reflects the Ministry’s eagerness to integrate education for sustainability in the educational system in Qatar. To equip students with environmental knowledge and hands-on activities to lead positive climate action for the sustainability of our communities.”

Ruba added that the Eco-Schools programme is making a key contribution to the future of environmental sustainability in Qatar.

“Through student-centred events such as the Eco-Schools Congress, a biennial congregation where all registered schools and Green-Flag awarded schools network, Earthna offers the youth a platform to showcase their achievements as stewards of the environment to inspire others to follow suit,” she explained.

The 2023 Eco-Schools Congress had a thematic focus on marine and coastal ecosystems to coincide with the recent Earthna educational publication titled Qatar’s Unique Marine Ecosystem.

“At every congress, we try to offer students an opportunity to leave a legacy,” Ruba continued.

“During the congress this year, students designed reusable bags made from leftover fabric to replace plastic bags to protect our environment from plastic pollution and to increase biodiversity in Qatar.”

In a shift from the traditional education model to a more hands-on learning model, students took on the role of eco-entrepreneurs and created the bags from wasted fabric.

The bags, which help in community engagement and environmental advocacy, are now being sold at Qatar Foundation’s Education City Gift Shop branches.

The revenue from sales is donated to a tree planting activity in the Education City under the QF Park and Plant initiative. All buyers are eligible to participate in this activity.

The last Eco-Schools Congress saw 29 schools, eight of which were QF schools, come together to not only celebrate their achievements but also to foster a culture of collective learning, innovation, collaborative action and knowledge exchange, reflecting how, together, their students can shape a sustainable future.

“We’re thrilled to back this initiative, aligning with our mission for sustainability at the Education City Gift Shop,” said Maryam Ansari, Creative Studio Specialist at QF Marketing.

“Beyond retail, we champion innovative sustainability ideas and support educational initiatives that share our goals.”

GO: Visit www.qf.org.qa for more information.

Extending from kindergarten to universities, the Eco-Schools programme is the largest international network of students and teachers in the world. It involves 51,000 schools and institutions, and more than 19,000,000 students in 67 countries. It is known as EcoCampus at university level.