Can education reverse the tide? How “Let it Flow!” brings hope amidst the climate crisis.
Environmental education can be exciting! Through a unique approach combining theatre-based tools, theoretical knowledge, and field research, the BESTbelt project “Let it Flow!” inspired students from a remote, borderland area in Greece to dive into experiential learning.
The Aoos River Basin, located in northwestern Greece at the southern tip of the European Green Belt, is a region of exceptional natural beauty. The transboundary Aoos/Vjosa River, known as the longest and last free-flowing river in Europe, serves as a crucial ecological corridor for iconic and endangered species. However, this unique environment faces significant challenges, including demographic and socioeconomic pressures, as well as environmental threats from planned small hydropower plants and other activities.
The EU-funded BESTbelt project “Let it Flow!” aimed to transform attitudes and behaviours within the local school community, promoting river protection through environmental education and capacity building. The project used a role-playing game inspired by theatrical techniques, immersing 140 students and 23 educators in an interactive experience where participants took on the roles of stakeholders debating the future of their region.
The educational curriculum of “Let it Flow!” has been widely shared in Greece and Albania, drawing the interest of numerous educational institutions. In a particularly rewarding outcome, the project was successfully implemented in a second-chance school for incarcerated adults in Corfu, demonstrating the transformative power of education to break down barriers and inspire change.
Contact info: Miranda Vatikioti, MedINA, miranda(at)med-ina.org
Project website: https://med-ina.org/project/let-it-flow/
Resources:
“Let it Flow!” curriculum (Greek, full version)
“Let it Flow!” curriculum (Greek, short version)
“Let it Flow!” curriculum (Albanian version)
Videos: