FEE ANNIVERSARY
30 years of greening education
2024 marks the 30th anniversaries of the Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes.
Eco-Schools offers schools a meaningful way to engage with environmental issues, creating positive change in both their communities and within the school itself. Over the years, it has left a lasting impact on students, their families, teachers, and local authorities alike.
For over 30 years the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme, international competition and global network have been equipping and mentoring future leaders to investigate environmental issues and drive positive, solution focused change.
Celebrate with us!
Share your anniversary photos and videos with the FEE team. We’ll add stories and memories over the next few months so be sure to send your best images and stories to us. 💚
Celebrations from around the world
Celebrations are already underway in many countries. Have a look at some of the ways our schools and national operators are marking the anniversary!
Qatar
Awsaj Academy celebrated 30 years of Eco-Schools with an event that focused on sustainability. As a school that supports students with learning difficulties and special needs, Awsaj believes everyone can play a part in helping the environment. Students got involved in activities like gardening and recycling, showing that anyone can make a difference. The event highlighted how the school teaches both learning and caring for the planet at the same time.
Denmark
The Danish Outdoor Council (DOC) recently invited the FEE Head Office to join the green flag-raising ceremony at Kobberbakkeskolen, afdeling Rønnebæk. The event celebrated the school’s remarkable achievement as the only one in Denmark to be part of the prestigious 30-year club of Eco-Schools. Kobberbakkeskolen joined the Eco-Schools programme in 1994 and raised its first green flag in 1995. The FEE Head Office team was delighted to participate in this special occasion!
(Bottom right photo: the FEE team, from left to right, Rohan, Esther, Reeza, Lan, Raquel)
South Africa
Snapshots from our former national operator Bridget Ringdahl of Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) who flew the Eco-Schools flag from her travels. And these destinations are believed to be the highest places where the flag was flown. Thank you for sharing, Bridget!
Latvia
Schools from around Latvia have collected lovely anniversary photos and videos from their archives. Have a look at this Padlet board to see all the beautiful memories and stories from years of working with the Eco-Schools programme. And watch the video on the right of the Eco-Schools anthem sung by children from Eco-Schools in Latvia.
Slovakia
The new year of the YRE programme in Slovakia kicked off with great enthusiasm with a desire to create and contribute to improving the environment. On September 4, 2024, several young reporters gathered for a one-day workshop in Trnava, where the city’s deputy mayor presented examples of good practices in the urban area. He guided them through a residential courtyard called “Agátka,” which serves the city’s residents for rest, relaxation, and entertainment. It includes features such as a community garden and built-in water elements and it serves as an inspirational example of revitalisation.
The city tour finished in revitalised Ružový Park, where the deputy mayor answered the young reporters’ questions for their short social media posts. After the experiential workshop, there was also a celebration of the 15th anniversary of YRE in Slovakia. On this occasion, the programme was handed over to the new coordinator, Adriána Henčeková. Another year of the program in Slovakia was launched in Trnava, and Slovak young reporters are already prepared for new challenges.
Wales
Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales' Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs celebrates 30 years of Eco-Schools in Wales. Thank you for the lovely video greeting!
Betws Primary is a wonderful example of an Eco-School. Watch a video of a school visit to the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, where children told the minister how much they enjoyed being in nature and learning about how to protect the environment.
Northern Ireland
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful made these two videos celebrating the Eco-Schools Programme. Thank you to all the children and teachers for contributing!
Scotland
Stirling High School was the venue for a celebratory event where guests heard from Stirling High School’s Eco-Committee about their actions as part of Eco-Schools, from their first Green Flag in 2006 to their annual give and take fete, regular litter picks and the Young Reporters for the Environment being embedded into their curriculum. Read more about the event here.
Scottish International Eco-Schools unveiled their six metre-long Planet Earth Tartan to mark 30 years of the international Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes in Scotland. Read the story here.
Mexico
Thank you to FEE Mexico for your congratulatory message! 🌿🎉
Mexico’s first Eco-School
This is the first Eco-School in México, the Colegio Contadero in México City. The picture shows the green flag ceremony award in June 2017 which marked the tenth anniversary of achieving the school’s tenth green flag.
Dominican Republic
Eco-School’s 30th birthday is also being celebrated in the Dominican Republic! Thank you for sending us birthday greeting. 🌍💚
Want to see your videos and greetings here? Send your anniversary messages to the FEE communications team at lan@fee.global. This page will be populated over the course of the anniversary year. We look forward to hearing from you! 🌱