The NBS-STREAMS Ed. project aimed to engage citizens and communities in climate action and environmental protection, fostering behavior changes to reduce carbon footprints. Our goals were to achieve meaningful citizenship, resilience, and sustainability aligned with EU strategic goals. We addressed education, awareness, citizen science, environmental monitoring, civic engagement, and social innovation through six objectives: Develop a European competence framework for lifelong learning to engage citizens in the green transformation. Monitor and assess awareness and attitudes on climate change and sustainability. Create educational materials and programs, including MOOCs, for comprehensive climate education. Enhance community engagement using digital media and monitor environmental impacts on oceans. Involve large numbers of pupils and students. Test and disseminate the competence framework at demonstration sites in eight EU countries.
The NBS-STREAMS Ed. project was designed to support the EU’s vision of developing a multidisciplinary competence framework for lifelong learning, focusing on climate change and sustainable development through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). Our project aligns with the EU Council's Recommendation on Key Competences for lifelong learning. Initial reviews revealed a strong policy focus on climate change across partner countries. Iceland, one of two countries to declare a ‘Climate Crisis’ in law, exemplifies this commitment with strategic efforts in decarbonization involving all societal sectors. At the EU level, the Council of Europe has set ambitious climate neutrality goals for 2050 and targets for 2030. The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), established in 2000, aims to identify effective policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, positioning the EU as a global leader in sustainable innovation. Our project, ‘Nature-Based Solutions and Innovative S.T.R.E.A.M.S Education – Authentic Pathways to Meaningful Citizenship, Resilience, and Sustainability in 21st Century Teaching and Learning,’ offers a holistic, inclusive, and innovative approach. It integrates 'Green and Blue - Digital and Green' strategies.