Green Generation
DSE evaluated Project Green Generation for Astra (former Danish Science Factory) from October 2013 - April 2017.
In Project Green Generation two coordinators from each of 10 municipalities developed an ESD promotion strategy over a period of three years.
The evaluation focused on the municipal process and the changes that were created in municipalities by working with the ESD promotion strategy.
The evaluation points out that collaboration across silos in the municipalities has been extremely beneficial both for the process and for the work in the municipality as such. The political support has been important for the strategy work. When there was clear support, the process for the coordinators was easier and the target was easier to reach. Sustainability as concept had been on the agenda, which gave rise to discussions on what the term covers. Many had a broad definition of sustainability, which included cultural, economic and social sustainability. The municipalities based the project on existing initiatives and focus areas in schools and day care centers (eg ESD and Open School), which is one reason for the project's success. In addition, the municipalities were good to include facilities such as companies and knowledge persons as cooperation and sparring partners. Many of the activities already existed in the municipalities in advance eg Ren Uge and Virksomhedsudfordringen. Most of the existing activities got a more sustainable focus because of the project. In several municipalities, the coordinators were out early in schools and / or day cares and made GG activities, which quickly gave valuable experience in relation to the development of the strategy and the work ahead. The changes that have been created in the municipalities as a result of the project has the potential to become permanent, but it is necessary to follow the development in detail to learn about to which extent, and what is needed for the development to continue.
The evaluation has the following recommendations:
- Get started quickly - make a pilot project and adjust along the way.
- Use existing structures to base the project on - find out what already needs to be done.
- Prioritize interdisciplinary cooperation - build cooperation and contact across silos.
- Make sure - and maintain - support and ownership, both management and policy, among users (eg through co-creation) and through student involvement and business involvement.
- Discuss the content of the concept of 'sustainability' and find a useful way to use the term.
Procject Leader of the evaluation: Olga Trolle
Project period: October 2013 - April 2017
More information on then Danish webpage.