“Water for the City” was a two year programme (2016-2018) implemented in Alexandroupolis, Greece by Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) in cooperation with the local Municipality, the local Water & Sewage Service (DEYAA), and MIO-ECSDE / MEdIES, specifically for its educational component.
The programme aimed to enhance the city water supply through increasing the capacity of the city’s reservoir and promote good practices for sustainable water use in the urban environment, through educating students and teachers, informing citizens and engaging local water operators. “Water for the City” was funded by the Coca – Cola Foundation in Atlanta, USA. Learn more about the entire programme: www.waterforthecity.net.
MEdIES’ activities within Water in the City project
MEdIES developed a web-based educational material “neroupoli” (= water-city in Greek ) including topics related to the natural vs the urban water cycle, climate change, water management at the city level, responsible consumption etc. Neroupoli is an interactive website, designed to be used directly by players aged 10-13 years old and it can be played on PCs, laptops and tablets.
The material was launched in November 2017, with 14 educational activities, which can potentially increase. Each activity includes some basic information on the topic, online quizzes and games and tasks for indoor or outdoor discovery.
A sensitisation poster for students was prepared and was handed to them during our school interventions. The poster presents components of the natural and the urban water cycle, aspects of integrated urban water management and some tips for responsible water use/behaviour. The poster (in Greek language) is available for download here.
A new set of hands-on material about “Water for the city” (customised magnetic board, illustrated diagrammes, cards, etc.) was prepared and used during the school visits. After the project ended this set was handed to the regional ESD officer of senondary education.
Between 2017 and 2018 4059 students from all the schools of the municipality took part in our targeted school interventions. The MEdIES staff started these inetrventions in April 2017, followed by by a local educator, Ms Matina Vezirzti. Matina has actually visited all the schools of the region (23 primary schools, 2 minority schools and 8 Highschools).
Within the project three teacher-trainings have been held: in April 2017 (launching), October 2017 and April 2018 (closing), reaching out to about 100 teachers. Another 280 teachers have followed the program with their classes and benefited from it through the school interventions.
