Author name: EKO Greece

Pembroke, Malta | 09–15 March 2025 We are excited to share that our training course in Malta has been successfully completed! The Training of Trainers, hosted by TDM2000 Malta, brought together 20 youth workers from Cyprus, Italy, Greece, Malta, and Portugal. The event took place in Pembroke from 09 to 15 March 2025. This initiative is part of STELLA (Sport as a Tool for Environmental Sustainability Learning), an Erasmus+ KA220 Cooperation Partnership in Youth. The project aims to strengthen environmental education for youth by encouraging ethical behavior through sport-based methodologies. Empowering Youth Workers through Sport and Sustainability During the training, participants gained valuable skills to be implemented in their local communities, ensuring that the knowledge and techniques acquired are used effectively in real-life contexts. The program was both educational and inspiring, offering a variety of tools to help engage young people in environmental learning through sports. A key aspect of the training was the dynamic and supportive environment fostered by the trainers. Through a thoughtful blend of theoretical insights and hands-on activities, participants explored what it means to be an effective trainer and delved into the core principles that define sports. Interactive sessions included football, volleyball, and a nighttime treasure hunt to explore the historic old town. Toward the end of the training, participants designed and implemented their own sport-based workshops focused on addressing environmental challenges. These workshops were evaluated to identify strengths and areas for development, helping participants refine their skills as facilitators. Looking Ahead One of the key outcomes of this training will be the development of a toolkit that compiles the most effective workshops created by the participants. This resource will support continued learning and ensure the project’s impact reaches beyond this single event. The training was marked by collaboration, creativity, and active participation, with all teams contributing to a rich exchange of experiences and ideas. It was a truly enriching opportunity for everyone involved. We are deeply grateful for this fantastic opportunity made possible for all participating teams. A special thank you goes to our Maltese partner, TDM2000 Malta, and the entire hosting team for their dedication and for organizing such a meaningful and impactful training experience. Thank you for making it all possible!

On December 17th and 18th, EKO hosted the STELLA project’s Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Athens, bringing all partners together to discuss key aspects of the project. The TPM focused on the upcoming training course in Malta, scheduled for March, and plans for the next TPM, which will be hosted by AZO in Cyprus. Partners shared valuable suggestions and explored strategies to enhance the project’s impact and effectiveness, fostering a collaborative and productive exchange of ideas. Discussions also highlighted the guidelines and deadlines of the project’s key deliverables, which include: A Collection of 75 Best Practices on using sports for raising environmental awareness. Interviews with Stakeholders and Experts in sports and sustainability education. A Toolkit providing resources and tools to help youth workers effectively use sports to promote environmental education. The STELLA project, a KA2 initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, is a collaborative effort involving five organizations from five European countries. Running for 24 months, from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2026, the project aims to promote environmental sustainability through sports by fostering international cooperation and innovative educational approaches. Coordinated by TDM 2000 ODV (Italy), the partnership includes TDM 2000 (Malta), Active Zone Outdoor (Cyprus), SYAJ—Associacao Juvenil Synergia (Portugal), and EKO (Greece). Together, these organizations are committed to creating impactful resources and tools to integrate environmental awareness into sports education.