Mobile Phone Photography for Inclusive Storytelling

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to empower individuals and organizations to adopt a greener, eco-friendlier, and more sustainable lifestyle. Participants will explore their current lifestyles, identify areas for improvement, and discover practical alternatives and eco-swaps that can lead to a more sustainable way of living.

The course will delve into the concept of sustainable living, emphasizing its importance for personal growth and sustainable development. Participants will learn how small changes in behavior patterns can lead to healthy living while reducing their individual carbon footprint. The course will provide insights into reducing energy, water, and paper consumption, as well as addressing the harmful effects of everyday actions on the environment.

Emphasis will be placed on understanding the concept of greenwashing and learning how to spot and avoid it. Participants will gain knowledge about composting, including its benefits, best practices, and hands-on experience in composting at their workplaces or homes.

The course will explore strategies for reducing consumption and achieving a zero-waste lifestyle. Participants will learn how to make personal care products, such as dish soap bars, and discover the benefits of doing so for the environment and cost savings.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating green and inclusive dimensions into their sustainable lifestyles.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to sustainable living

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Exploring current lifestyles and identifying “bad habits”
Understanding greenwashing and how to avoid it
Group activity: Sharing personal experiences and challenges with sustainable living

Day 2: Composting and waste reduction

Benefits of composting and best practices
Composting in rural and urban settings
Strategies for reducing waste and achieving a zero-waste lifestyle
Group activity: Developing a waste reduction plan for organizations or homes

Day 3: Sustainable products and resource conservation

Exploring the sustainable products inside a household
Sustainable alternatives to most-used household products
Tips for reducing water, energy, and paper consumption
Group activity: Developing action plans for resource management in organizations or homes

Day 4: Cultural exploration and sustainable practices

Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices
Post-visit activities: Incorporating cultural elements and sustainable practices into daily life
Group activity: Reflections and discussion on the impact of sustainable products on daily life

Day 5: Microplastics and course wrap-up

Understanding microplastics and their impact
Developing lesson plans on microplastics (for educators)
Group presentations: Sharing innovative ideas for promoting green living and sustainable lifestyles
Course evaluation and feedback
Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

Analyze their current lifestyles and identify areas for improvement towards a more sustainable way of living.
Recognize the concept of greenwashing and develop strategies to spot and avoid it.
Implement composting practices at their workplaces or homes, understanding the benefits and best practices.
Develop strategies for reducing consumption and achieving a zero-waste lifestyle.
Implement tips and techniques for reducing water, energy, and paper consumption in their organizations or homes.
Develop action plans for waste, energy, and resource management in their organizations, setting achievable goals and strategies.
Analyze the impact of microplastics and create lesson plans (for educators) to raise awareness and propose solutions.
Collaborate with fellow participants to share best practices, strategies, and resources for embracing a green lifestyle and promoting sustainability.
Incorporate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage and sustainable practices into their green lifestyle initiatives, promoting inclusive and environmentally conscious approaches.

Course fee:

400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

At least 25 hours of course content;
Course materials;
Certificate of participation;
Europass, on request;
Learning / Mobility Agreement;
Visits to local institutions, if available;
Personalized support;
Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
Refreshments;
Administration costs;
Dissemination materials.

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