European Erasmus+ CicloSchools program trains students in circular economy in Volos; 86 students attended hackathon.

Why Education in Circular Economy?

The global pandemic and the security crisis in Europe, stemming from geopolitical changes, have not only radically altered the state of the global economy but have also underscored the importance of sustainability in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution of humanity. This era requires a more environmentally conscious approach to production and consumption, reflecting a growing awareness of the planet’s limits and the urgent need to meet the needs of future generations. The business sector is actively working to minimize its environmental footprint while maximizing the efficiency and innovation of its products and services. The concept of the circular economy has been integrated into the operations of the largest companies on the planet to provide solutions to the deadlocks that emerged from previous efforts.

The European Commission adopted the Circular Economy Package in 2015, and many national governments have begun to emphasize this priority. The transition to a circular economy is a complex process that requires significant adjustments in policy interventions, funding sources, consumer behavior, and production and consumption patterns. This fundamental transformation of the economic system requires a systemic and holistic interaction between economic, environmental, and social changes, highlighting the need for an integrated approach for its successful implementation and maintenance. These interconnected and common relationships between the systems can only be achieved through education, both of current and future workers, as well as consumers who are called upon to support it. In this context, the European Erasmus+ program “CicloSchools” has developed and is testing innovative teaching and learning practices that support the integration of Circular Economy concepts into secondary education. The mission of the project is to empower both educators and students to better understand the challenges of sustainability and to co-create daily practices and seek action-oriented solutions for a circular future. Through the activities implemented by the program, it has succeeded in: Explore and invest in existing research and practices to design school education programs that develop students’ sustainability skills, with an emphasis on Circular Economy skills. Ø Develop a comprehensive training program for teachers before and during their service in the school, equipping them with the ability to teach sustainability through skills-based methods and practical applications. Ø Created innovative teaching and learning resources to support a new approach to Circular Economy education in secondary schools. Ø Tests and evaluates the CicloSchools curriculum, assessing its impact on science and sustainability learning in secondary education. The interesting and innovative aspect of the curriculum lies in its inclusion of 4 structured units, over 10 challenge-based learning activities in each, and a special unit with all the information and guidelines for utilizing student Hackathon competitions as an educational tool. The two-day Hackathon held in Volos on March 26 and 27 was already successfully completed, with the participation of middle and high school students from our region. Twelve teams from the 4th General High School and 4th Gymnasium of Volos, the 2nd Model High School of Volos, the 2nd General High School of Nea Ionia, the 5th General High School of Volos, and the Gymnasium with Lyceum classes of Efxinoupoli, a total of 86 students, competed and presented their ideas.

This initiative focused on the circular economy, specifically on the use and reuse of paper in the school environment, giving students the opportunity to develop innovative ideas for reducing waste and utilizing surplus materials. The groups created presentations and visual materials, while simultaneously working on improving the structure and clarity of their proposals. The students developed presentation and argumentation skills, preparing their final proposals and presenting their ideas for paper reuse and the creation of more sustainable school practices. Their proposals highlighted the creativity and environmental awareness of the participants, while also emphasizing the importance of the circular economy in the daily functioning of schools and society.

The European project CicloSchools aims to raise awareness and enrich students’ knowledge about the circular economy, which is a critical point for changing environmental attitudes due to the changes brought about by accelerated climate change. Through the targeted actions it proposes, it provides the opportunity to highlight the value of responsible resource use, while empowering students to develop 21st-century skills such as collaboration, creative thinking, and problem-solving. At the same time, it enhances environmental awareness and the active participation of students in actions that promote sustainability.

CicloSchools promotes an innovative idea instead of merely creating educational material. The project helps create a new generation of students who are prepared to build a sustainable, circular future, empowering students and supporting educators. As we are ready to present these materials to schools across Europe, stay tuned for further updates! Visit our website ( https:

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Why Education in Circular Economy?

2.1 | Education for Climate priority

SDG (08) Decent Work and Economic Growth

2.4 | GreenComp: sustainability competence focus

1.1 Valuing sustainability (Embodying Sustainability Values)

2.1 Systems thinking (Embracing Complexity in Sustainability)

2.2 Critical thinking (Embracing Complexity in Sustainability)

2.6 | related EU initiative

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