Supporting the behavioral change in schools around the food and organic waste taking into account its social, environmental and financial dimension

<< Background >>The COM project was developed to address the critical need for practical behavioral change in how schools and communities manage organic waste. We applied for this project because we recognized the importance of empowering educators with innovative methodologies that enable them to effectively engage students, parents, and the wider community in sustainable waste management practices. Traditional waste management education often lacks practical implementation, and this project sought to bridge that gap by providing hands-on approaches that encourage real behavioral shifts.Beyond simply raising awareness, the project aimed to transform young people within their communities. By involving pupils, parents, and schools, the initiative not only promoted individual responsibility but also fostered a collective commitment to sustainability. Through participation in the project, students were encouraged to take ownership of their environmental impact, influencing their families and local communities to adopt more circular and sustainable waste management practices.<< Objectives >>The project was designed to develop and distribute an engaging tool for educators to involve young students, parents, and the broader community in adopting sustainable practices related to organic waste. This goal was pursued by equipping educators with innovative methodologies and fostering active participation from pupils, parents, and schools. Beyond encouraging behavioral change, the project aimed to empower young people to take on a proactive role in promoting sustainability within their communities.<< Implementation >>The project focused on implementing several key activities:Conducting EU-wide research on organic waste management and behaviors to develop an educational package dedicated to organic waste.Developing an interactive game centered on organic waste and the circular economy.Creating a comprehensive toolkit for educators and educational institutions.Producing and disseminating a policy recommendations paper alongside various outreach and dissemination activities<< Results >>Through the project activities, educators and students were empowered to act as multipliers, spreading the project's impact within their communities. They adopted best practices and engaged with the developed materials, contributing valuable feedback that enriched the knowledge and experience of all users. As a result, the project fostered widespread behavioral change, extending far beyond the initial target groups.