Database of Best Practices

River cleanup is a community-driven initiative focused on restoring and preserving the health of rivers, streams, and waterways by removing litter, debris, and pollutants from their banks and waters. This activity typically involves volunteers coming together to collect, sort, and properly dispose of waste found along the river, with the ultimate goal of improving the aquatic habitat, enhancing water quality, and promoting environmental stewardship. River cleanup is a dynamic and impactful community-based initiative that mobilizes volunteers to take direct action in protecting and restoring the health of rivers and waterways. Through collaboration, education, and collective effort, participants work together to make a tangible difference in their local environment and foster a culture of environmental responsibility and stewardship.

"An eco-garden in an urban setting for entire communities to enjoy". An eco-garden in an urban setting is a community-based initiative aimed at creating green spaces within cities where residents can come together to grow plants, cultivate greenery, and engage in sustainable gardening practices. Unlike traditional gardens, eco-gardens emphasize environmental consciousness, biodiversity, and community involvement. An eco-garden in an urban setting is a multifaceted initiative that combines environmental conservation, community engagement, and sustainable living practices to create vibrant and inclusive spaces for entire communities to enjoy and benefit from.

Urban beekeeping - the future of a sustainable city. With declining bee populations, urban parks and gardens have lost their most important pollinator. Urban beekeeping is a growing activity for city dwellers to bring bees back into the human world and contribute to sustainable and green urban development. Hives are already being placed on rooftops in major cities around the world, and the Urbanbee.lt team are the pioneers of this initiative in Lithuania.

Urban beehives give citizens the opportunity to get up close and personal with these special environmental scientists and to rediscover their relationship with nature. Interacting with bees has a positive impact on human well-being and provides an opportunity to strengthen your community. Keeping bees in one's own environment not only contributes to social and environmental well-being goals or to improving the city's biodiversity indicators, but also allows the city's inhabitants to cultivate awareness, productivity and a sustainable approach to the urban environment.

The ROOF GREENHOUSE Team is establishing a hydroponic greenhouse on their schools roof. It will be automated by programmed microcontrollers and sensors. This project will help make producing and purchasing organic food more accessible and the problem of erosion will not occur. Students are developing engineering skills and analyse the plant's life cycle.

Mariam, a conscientious 16-year-old from Georgia, has taken it upon herself to make a positive impact on the environment. Every day, rain or shine, she hops on her bike and pedals her way to school, choosing the eco-friendly mode of transportation over contributing to vehicle emissions. But Mariam's commitment to sustainability doesn't stop there.

With a fervent passion for environmental conservation, Mariam has become a beacon of change in her community. She tirelessly raises awareness about the importance of responsible garbage disposal, emphasizing the detrimental effects of pollution on local waterways and ecosystems. Through community outreach programs and educational initiatives, Mariam encourages her peers and neighbors to adopt eco-conscious practices in their daily lives.

One of Mariam's most impactful endeavors has been promoting the benefits of cycling as a sustainable alternative to driving. By sharing her own experiences and advocating for bike-friendly infrastructure, she inspires others to embrace greener modes of transportation, reducing carbon emissions and alleviating traffic congestion in her community.

As Mariam's efforts gain momentum, she witnesses a remarkable transformation within her community. Members who once thoughtlessly discarded garbage in rivers and public spaces now join Mariam in adopting eco-friendly habits. Together, they organize cleanup events and plastic recycling drives, working tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty of their surroundings.

Through Mariam's leadership and unwavering dedication, her community has undergone a profound cultural shift towards environmental stewardship. With each discarded plastic bottle collected and each mile pedaled on a bike, Mariam and her fellow advocates are paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.

Mariam Japaridze, a student of European Interdisciplinary Studies with a background in civil activism, has been dedicated to ecological activism in her hometown of Chiatura, Georgia, since the age of 14. Chiatura faces severe ecological issues due to unregulated manganese extraction, leading to significant environmental degradation and health problems for its residents. In 2023, Mariam, in collaboration with the Social Movement "Chiatura of the Future," launched the "New Steps for a Better Future of Chiatura" initiative under the USAID Civil Society Engagement Program. This project involves informational campaigns, strengthening the local Eco Club, and engaging the community in various activities to raise awareness and develop solutions for the environmental challenges. Mariam aims to use Georgia's EU candidacy status to bring attention to the country's ecological issues at the European Union level, advocating for stricter regulations and greater support for sustainable development in Chiatura.

Salome Tsikvadze is the visionary founder behind the innovative social enterprise known as 'Shh'. At the heart of their offerings lies 'One in one', a sensory board game that breaks new ground in eco-friendly entertainment, captivating players through its visually engaging gameplay.

The journey to bring 'One in one' to life was a testament to Salome's unwavering commitment to sustainability. Recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship, she set out to create a board game that not only delighted players but also minimized its ecological footprint. However, realizing this vision was no easy feat.

In the pursuit of eco-friendliness, Salome faced the challenge of finding collaborators who shared her values. It was ithen she discovered the social enterprise 7R Georgia.

The team at 7R Georgia poured their expertise and resources into transforming Salome's concept into a tangible reality. Through innovative thinking, they ensured that every aspect of 'One in one', from its materials to its production process, adhered to the highest standards of eco-friendliness and zero-waste principles.

The result of this remarkable collaboration is a groundbreaking board game that not only captivates players with its immersive gameplay but also serves as a shining example of sustainability in action. 'One in one' stands as a testament to the power of partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to building a more sustainable future.

As Salome reflects on the journey that brought 'One in one' to life, she is filled with gratitude for the transformative role played by 7R Georgia. Together, they have not only created a remarkable product but also sparked a movement towards eco-friendly entertainment, inspiring others to follow suit and embrace sustainability in all its forms.

In the region of Svaneti, Georgia, Irina and a group of youth embarked on a mission to address a pressing environmental issue: the harmful practice of burning leaves during autumn and summer months. Recognizing the detrimental impact of this common practice on both local ecosystems and community health, the youth initiative group took action.

Their first step was to engage with local government officials, advocating for the adoption of sustainable waste management practices, particularly composting. Armed with research, determination, and a commitment to positive change, they worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the benefits of composting and the dangers of leaf burning.

Launching an advocacy campaign, the youth initiative group set out to educate their community about the importance of composting as an eco-friendly alternative to burning leaves. Through workshops, informational sessions, and outreach efforts, they empowered community members with the knowledge and skills needed to embrace composting as a sustainable waste management solution.

Their efforts yielded remarkable results. Today, thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Irina and her fellow youth advocates, an impressive 80% of waste in Svaneti is being composted, significantly reducing the harmful environmental impact of leaf burning.

Dea & Mariam's The "Save Nature" initiative focuses on promoting responsible plastic use and environmental stewardship. This multifaceted approach includes educational campaigns in schools, teaching students about the importance of reducing plastic waste and adopting sustainable practices. Additionally, the initiative advocates for responsible plastic use at the local municipality level, working to influence policies and practices that support environmental conservation. A crucial aspect of "Save Nature" is the organization of cleaning activities for water reservoirs in Tbilisi, which not only help preserve natural water sources but also raise public awareness about the impact of pollution and the importance of collective action in protecting the environment. Through "Save Nature," the goal is to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainability within the community, emphasizing that every small action contributes to a larger impact on preserving the planet for future generations.

The Green Squad is dedicated to promoting a clean Georgia and preserving the biodiversity of the Caucasus region. Operating in the Samegrelo region of Georgia, the Green Squad conducts regular clean-up activities in various areas. Setting itself apart from one-off promotions, their initiative emphasizes the sustainability of waste management efforts. Additionally, it fosters community mobilization and encourages youth involvement in advocacy and information sharing.

The Green Squad equips volunteers with essential information and tools to support their efforts. Through ongoing clean-up campaigns and educational outreach, they aim to raise awareness about environmental conservation and empower individuals to take action for a cleaner, healthier environment.

HEEL Athens Lab has been a revolutionary fashion brand for more than 2 decades focusing on sustainability, recycling and equality from the very start. The brand has been creating garments with an exclusive signature of quality and moral production.Its facilities are located in Athens, Greece, and the entire production process is domestic while it ensures that its raw materials are certified and its suppliers comply with the rules and best practices for sustainability and ethical production.

The Greek Eco Project is an environmental organization founded in 2020 by a group of sensitized people of different
backgrounds with a common sense of love and respect for the natural environment and their base is in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Through their continuous environmental actions, they try to protect the environment. They feel the deep responsibility that falls
upon everyone and they believe that what you love, you must protect and keep it safe individually and collectively, as every little
act from everyone, is a big breath for the earth. Their vision is the creation of a multi-dimensional trans-Balkan ecological park in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, 100% autonomous in terms of energy. A park friendly and open to all, with gardens, akes, open playgrounds, specially designed areas for pets, which are a hive of knowledge and inspiration. Within this, the actions and what they advocate as values will be integrated and they will create a model for changing the mentality of today's society.

Their idea in this critical and fluid time was to create with their team, always with Love, a new Greek fashion brand, Line Planet, oriented to the values of sustainable and ethical fashion, with conscience and solidarity. Their desire is to fully express a stylistic vision, infused with the artistic flavour of greek culture and to create a connection between the past and the future. Ethical fashion means supporting the local community in every possible way, but at the same time showing respect and love for our bodies and the environment by wearing clothes that are friendly to both. The manifestation of sustainability with great style is related to the fact that everything that we choose to wear is meant to represent who we are and our values. Their philosophy starts with a change in the thinking about the way they design, with a sense of quality that lasts through every season.

Earthbound (MIRET) is the first brand in the world that creates a 97% ecological sneakers. Completely free of chemicals, the natural resistance against odor and bacteria of hemp is preserved. MIRETstarteds in 2009. from two brothers with an idea to create eco sneakers. All materials are made using technology without the use of dangerous chemicals and without the incorporation of plastic materials in any form. They use only natural materials, most from hemp, (without leather, plastic, and rubber) to make a sustainable product. All materials are certificated, and they get an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate for whole sneakers (usually producers get one for some parts of products.)

Čisteći medvjedići (Clenning bears) is a civil initiative that started in Covid pandemic when people started much more go to the forests and see how much garbage is in them. They start with the cleaning of forest and now they rise awareness about cigarette butts in cities, mainly in Zagreb.

Humana Nova is a socially responsible company founded in 2011 and the main activity is the disposal of textile waste. They collected textile waist and made new useful items from them. They are members of RREUSE network, an umbrella non-profit network that brings together social enterprises active in the field of reuse, recycling or repairs. They are not only eco-aware company, they currently employ 53 employees whom 30 are a people with disabilities and 18 from other socially marginalized groups whose challenges today's society does not have a high-quality response to.

Udruga za prirodu, okoliš i održivi razvoj Sunce (Association for nature, environment and sustainable development Sunce) is a non-goverment organisatio dedicated to environmental and nature protection. Its multidisciplinary team, along with volounters and other stakeholders work towards these goals.The organization's success has earned it recognition both nationally and internationally. Sunce's mission is to safeguard public interests regarding environmental health, promote conservation, and advocate for sustainable resource management. It envisions Croatia as a country with preserved natural values and sustainable development practices.One of Sunce's initiatives, Green Excursions, educates students about nature and ecosystems while fostering environmental awareness. These excursions, organized with tourist agencies, cater to students of all ages, providing outdoor learning experiences led by educators and volunteers. Additionally, Sunce supports Dalmatia Green, an eco-certification program for tourism accommodations committed to sustainability. This program enhances eco-friendly accommodation visibility among environmentally conscious tourists, contributing to Croatia's sustainable tourism sector.

The Jiippi adventure education project, funded by the European Social Fund, promotes sustainable hiking practices among young people. By borrowing second-hand gear from organizations like Vempain in Helsinki, participants reduce environmental impact and foster a sharing culture. They use public transport to reach hiking sites, further minimizing their carbon footprint. The project encourages minimalistic packing and the use of eco-friendly, plant-based foods, teaching valuable lessons in environmental stewardship. Reflection and respect for nature are integral parts of the experience, with practices like using biodegradable detergents and creating safe, inclusive hiking spaces.

The Finnish Nature League is a national nature conservation and environmental protection organisation for children and young people. The mission of the Finnish Nature League is to offer opportunities to move in nature and influence environmental issues. Long-term nature conservation and environmental impact work is carried out throughout Finland.

Mustankorkea Oy is a company based in Central Finland that takes responsibility for recycling at the community level. In addition to concrete operations, such as waste sorting and further utilization, Mustankorkea provides public education and waste management guidance to promote environmental responsibility. Their waste management and advisory services cover an area with a total population of 178,000 residents. These services include waste collection, reception, processing, utilization, and guidance provided to both private individuals and businesses.

In Finland, waste sorting is regulated by waste management laws and regulations designed to prevent and reduce environmental harm. These rules are binding for all residents and businesses in the area. Each household receives an annual recycling guide published by Mustankorkea, which includes instructions for proper household waste recycling.

Mustankorkea also offers recycling training, starting from an early age in daycare centers. For example, schoolchildren can participate in educational visits to the waste center.
At the waste center, private individuals and businesses can deliver household waste and items requiring special sorting, such as medical waste, hazardous waste (e.g., paints, oils, car batteries, or strong cleaning agents), garden waste, and electrical appliances. The waste is processed at the facility to render it harmless or repurposed for further use, such as energy production. Biowaste is locally refined into biogas and compost soil.