Georgian schools will be involved in combating the dangers of climate change-driven disasters

In connection with Earth Day, the Eiec of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have announced the winners of the "Learn in a Safe Environment" grant competition for general education institutions. More than forty public schools in ten municipalities in Georgia participated in the "Learn in a Safe Environment" contest, which aims to protect school buildings from natural disasters and educate students and locals about climate change-driven disasters.

The contest, organised by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Eiec of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, involved schools from Gori, Telavi, Lagodekhi, Akhmeta, Sighnaghi, Samtredia, Abasha, Khobi, Senaki, and Kobuleti municipalities.

The top five school projects received small but substantial funding for climate projects:

1. The public school in the village of Heretiskari, Lagodekhi Municipality, will set up a weather laboratory, which will provide practical training for schoolchildren while also providing the local population with a weather forecast.

2. The school in the village of Khala, Kobuleti Municipality, will strengthen the bank of the Chaqvis tskali River and build a windbreak that will protect the school building from landslides and floods.

3. Telavi Public School No. 7 will install a windbreak on the school roof and will hold a photo and blog contest for students.

4. Atskuri Public School in Akhmeta Municipality will arrange drainage canals on the access road to the school, clean the Barkheva riverbed and conduct an information week for the local population.

5. Gori Public School No. 12 will green the school grounds and organise a student conference on climate change.

"Environmental education begins in a school where young people learn about the causes and consequences of climate change and the benefits of an environmentally friendly lifestyle." The Georgian government attaches great importance to environmental education, which is part of a national effort to adapt to climate change and reduce its negative impact,  "said Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture.

"Georgia has repeatedly complained about the consequences of climate change, but people often do not realise that we all have a stake in protecting against climate change-driven disasters, and we  place this responsibility on others. As a result of our support, the local population, especially the youth, will be involved in ‘’building a community resilient to climate change’’, said Anna Chernishova, UNDP Executive Director.

Studies show that the population of Georgia is well aware of the dangers of climate change. According to a recent survey supported by the UNDP and the European Union, climate change is among the top three threats to humanity, followed by poverty and infectious diseases. Almost 94 percent of respondents believe that climate change affects not only distant countries but also Georgia. Nevertheless, the same study showed that only a small portion of society is willing to change their daily behavior and switch to a climate-friendly lifestyle.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is actively supporting Georgia in adapting to climate change, establishing and implementing relevant policies, and safeguarding its citizens from climate change-driven disasters.

Among other initiatives, UNDP's support is based on a $ 74 million program funded by UNDP and the Ministry of Environmental Protection  and Agriculture of Georgia with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the government of Georgia, and the governments of Switzerland and Sweden. The seven-year initiative aims to reduce the risk of floods and other disasters in 11 river basins, protect 1.7 million people from disasters caused by climate change, and build a climate-friendly future.

You can see the link to the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RL4Rij-MO4