From educational gardens to workshops on renewable energy, 102 million PON funds have been allocated on the themes of ecological transition and environmental education
Published the PON notice: applications from 11 January to obtain the resources
A total of 102 million euros to promote the theme of ecological transition and the study of environmental education in state schools of the first and second cycle of education, with particular regard to the southern regions. This is the allocation provided for in the Notice published on the Ministry website, in implementation of the measures of the React EU / PON "For the School" 2014-2020 on the green transition in educational institutions, an objective strongly supported by the European Commission and which is in synergy with the #RiGenerazioneScuola plan of the Ministry of Education.
“Sustainability must be the backbone of the study paths of the new school we are building for female students - declares the Minister of Education Patrizio Bianchi -. This further investment in laboratories and facilities for environmental education confirms our commitment, which I was also able to exhibit at COP26 in Glasgow, and allows us to take another concrete step in achieving the objectives of the 'School ReGeneration' Plan, because training on sustainability issues becomes systemic and transversal ".
Two actions are foreseen in the call. Under Action 1, first cycle schools are assigned 45 million euros for the environmental education of pupils, through the creation or redevelopment of orchards and gardens for educational, innovative and sustainable purposes, as places of learning of curricular disciplines, sciences, arts, nutrition, healthy lifestyles, sustainability. Each project will be able to receive funding equal to 25 thousand euros.
As part of Action 2, for the institutions of the second cycle of the southern regions (Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily), with priority for agricultural schools, 57 million euro for the creation of "agriculture 4.0" educational laboratories, also with the use of hydroponic technologies, digital systems for monitoring crops based on the IoT (Internet of Things), digital tools for quality, food safety , the traceability of products, of laboratories for sustainable food, for the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Laboratories for the study and experimentation of the impacts of economic activities on the environment, on waste production, on air quality, on the consumption of water, energy, soil and other natural resources and for the recycling of waste, may also be financed. Each project will be able to receive funding equal to 130 thousand euros.
Applications can be submitted exclusively online, on the portal of the site dedicated to the PON "Per la Scuola" 2014-2020, (http://www.ificazione.it/pon/) from 12.00 on 11 January 2022 to 12.00 on January 31, 2022.
Each school may submit only one application, with the exception of all-inclusive institutions of the Southern regions which may apply for both Actions.