The PlayGreen project is an Erasmus+ funded initiative launched in Malta in March 2019, aiming to promote environmental sustainability through sports by creating volunteering opportunities for young people focused on sport and the environment.
Objectives:
- Encourage youth participation in environmental volunteering within the sports sector.
- Organise and manage sustainable sports events.
- Develop tools and resources to support green sports initiatives.
Description and Implementation: The Malta Football Association (MFA) collaborated with five other partners to integrate environmental practices into sports events. The project involved collecting and researching data to develop a “green tool” and implementing green activities during matches. Additionally, the MFA PlayGreen team participated in environmental activities, such as beach clean-ups, to promote sustainability.
Impact and Results: The PlayGreen project successfully engaged youths in environmental volunteering through sports, raising awareness about sustainability in sports events. The development of the green tool provided a framework for organising eco-friendly sports activities. The project’s final event, held in May 2021, marked the culmination of these efforts.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The PlayGreen project demonstrated that integrating environmental sustainability into sports is both feasible and beneficial. The approach is replicable and can be adapted by other sports organisations aiming to promote greener events. To scale up the project, it is recommended to:
- Expand partnerships with additional sports organisations and environmental NGOs.
- Provide training and resources to support the implementation of green practices in sports.
- Encourage the sharing of best practices and success stories to inspire broader participation.
Link/s:
https://www.mfa.com.mt/news/archives/malta-fa-joins-efforts-to-promote-greener-sports-events/ https://www.facebook.com/playgreenmalta/
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