Case study: Vilnius City Programme for Development of Environmental Competences
Photo acknowledgement: https://aplinka.vilnius.lt/
- Primary, Secondary
- Indoor & Outdoor
- Experiment, Gardening / school garden / allotment, Hands-on activity
- Lithuania
Vilnius City Programme for Development of Environmental Competences
In 2021, the Vilnius City Municipality in Lithuania launched the “Environmental Education of Institutions Subordinated to the Municipality” programme. This initiative aimed to fund environmental education projects in kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools throughout the city, with a significant focus on soil through interactive educational activities.
Participants included kindergarten teachers, children, and their parents, as well as teachers, pupils, and their parents at other school levels. Environmental professionals also contributed to the programme.
Objective
The primary objective was to raise environmental literacy among pre-school and school-age children and to support teachers by integrating environmental aspects into biology, chemistry, and physics lessons.
Approach
The programme covered various topics related to soil, such as soil structure, compost production, and the ecological importance of soil and its organisms. Mini-gardens (raised beds) and composting facilities, along with visual aids on soil structure, were established in kindergartens and schools. Activities included observing plants in different soils, testing soil pH levels, and using microscopes to observe soil microorganisms. A methodological toolkit for exploring soil in educational settings was also developed. Additionally, seminars were organised for teachers on how to integrate environmental aspects into biology, chemistry, physics, and technology lessons.
This case demonstrates how a municipality, independently of a centralised national programme, can effectively promote environmental competence development in educational institutions, with a particular emphasis on soil education.
