The initiative received support from the Renova Foundation’s Young Leadership Training Program
The United for the Environment project mobilized 20 young people from Barra do Cuieté, Conselheiro Pena district, in Minas Gerais, to participate in socio-environmental actions. The initiative promoted awareness through arts workshops combined with environmental education and sustainable practices. With the support of the Renova Foundation, through the Young Leadership Training Program, the project was carried out by the Integrated Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Programs (CIEDS).
Developed by civil engineer Kesley Antônio Santos, 26, and student Glenda Eliza Ramos Leite, 18, the project was supported by the Maria Garcia Pinto State School. Prior to creation, Glenda Ramos created an empathy map through community-oriented questions.
Empathy map
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“The answers received were about education for young people and improving the environment. I developed a project focused on these themes and with young people as the target audience, as it is necessary for everyone to be aware of the importance of the environment for us”.
Activities
Young people aged 15 to 29 participated in an environmental education course and workshops on graffiti and septic tank construction. For Kesley Antônio Santos, it was a period of important learning about project management of this nature and teachings about sustainability. Find out more about the activities:
Environmental education course: a study was carried out on the 5Rs of sustainability (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle), conscious use of water and reduction of gas emissions. In a practical activity, participants produced soap using cooking oil.
Graffiti and wall painting workshop with Pedro Stryper: the activity included a theoretical class and three practical classes. After teaching the techniques necessary for graffiti, the students started the process with free drawings to improve the technique. The materials were covered with an all-blue background and then an art was chosen with the theme to occupy the wall of the Maria Garcia Pinto State School.
Biodigester Septic Tank Workshop: in partnership with the CIAAT (Information and Technical Assistance Center) of Governador Valadares, the workshop promoted the installation and implementation of the septic tank at the Santa Célia farm, located near the district of Barra do Cuieté.
Glenda says that working on the project made it possible to create new bonds and friendships, in addition to acquiring knowledge in different ways, such as financial education. “The project brought more experience in the leadership aspect and, with it, I gained great knowledge during the realization”. After the activities ended, certificates and gifts were given to the participants.
Results
More than 200 young people and children were indirectly benefited by the activities developed. The project strengthened the youth collective, disseminated knowledge about the construction of a septic tank and promoted environmental awareness in the community.
CIEDS
The Integrated Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Programs (CIEDS) supports 14 projects of the Young Leadership Training Program. With funds transferred by the Renova Foundation, the institution developed the Doce River Young Leadership Project to serve eight municipalities in Minas Gerais. The proposal aimed to mobilize youth to become protagonists in the transformation of their territories. Participants were encouraged to design and implement projects aimed at environmental, social, economic and cultural revitalization in regions affected by the Fundao dam collapse.
Young Leadership Training
The Young Leadership Training Program aims to mobilize and engage young people in the process of repairing the Doce River basin, through environmental, social, economic and cultural revitalization actions in 41 municipalities in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. Click here and learn more about the Program.