Build Green: Breakthrough in Sustainable Spaces

We applied for this project to address the urgent need for educational methodologies that effectively confront environmental challenges, particularly climate change. Our goal aligns with the EU's Covid-19 recovery plan and the European Green Deal, aiming to contribute meaningfully to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and fostering a clean, circular economy. Recognizing the gravity of climate change, we sought to tackle resource use, enhance building energy efficiency, and align with the principles outlined in the EU's overarching vision. By focusing on innovative building practices, our project aimed to support the EU's commitment to environmental sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, responding to the pressing demands of our time.

The primary objectives of the project were to achieve the following: -Explore and systematize relevant theories, techniques, and best practices in sustainable building to address environmental issues and climate change. This was the top priority of the project, aiming to enhance the availability of high-quality learning opportunities for adults in the consortium's field of knowledge and expertise. -Exchange best practices and facilitate mutual learning among partners, leveraging their experiences to enhance the overall project outcomes. -Build a shared consensus on the reference framework to guide the subsequent phases of the project, particularly in the development of the Build Green Curriculum (IO2). -Promote low-cost sustainable building as a means to actively involve a broader audience in sustainability-oriented solutions. The focus was on addressing climate change within the realm of adult education, evaluating its effectiveness, and highlighting its relevance in establishing a low-carbon, circular economy.

The project implementation involved the following key activities, focusing on two main outputs: Output 1: Online Interactive Toolkit - Exploration and Systematization: Researching and consolidating relevant theories, techniques, and best practices in sustainable building across six main topics: natural and recycled materials, passive buildings, water management, green roofs and walls, and indoor agriculture. Addressing environmental problems and climate change was a top priority. - Exchange of Best Practices: Facilitating mutual learning among partners by sharing experiences and best practices, promoting collaboration to enhance the project's overall effectiveness. - Consensus Building: Developing the Build Green Curriculum by establishing a shared consensus on the reference framework, laying the foundation for further project steps. - Production of 41 videos Promoting low-cost, sustainable building with local, natural, and recycled materials to engage a broader audience in sustainability-oriented solutions. They addresse climate change in adult education, emphasizing the establishment of a low-carbon, circular economy. - Trainings: Conducting two week-long training events (C1 and C2) where 33 participants from partner organizations and target groups learned practical sustainable building techniques, exceeding the initial participant forecast. Output 2: Educational Curriculum - Pilot Training and Regional Trainings: Delivering one pilot training in Spain and three regional trainings in each of the three partner countries, involving a total of 100 participants from target groups. AbrazoHouse conducted a pilot training for 10 participants, and each partner subsequently ran three trainings for 10 people each, in total: 90 participants. This approach encouraged participants to adapt materials to their community's needs, local economy, and regional challenges, fostering sustainable construction and adult education. - Innovative Curriculum Development: Creating a unique and accessible set of resources available online to enable adults to build sustainably, aligned with the six main themes identified in IO1, emphasizing accessibility and adaptability to local contexts and regional challenges. Using the curriculum as a platform to discuss sustainability-related issues, climate change, and the transition to a green, circular economy in the European Union.

The concrete outputs and results of the project are: the project Toolkit (IO1) and the Curriculum Development (IO2), both aimed at promoting sustainable building practices. IO1 Toolkit comprises a comprehensive collection of theoretical content, including insights, research, and case studies emphasising the importance of sustainable building in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. It was easily shareable through partners' networks and online platforms. The content is as follows: Theoretical Framework: This document presents the Theoretical Framework for the Build Green Erasmus+ project. It is a structured conceptual model that provides a basis for understanding and exploring the principles, concepts, and practices associated with sustainable and environmentally responsible construction. The Theoretical Framework is a comprehensive guide to the ideas, assumptions, and relationships that underpin the field of green building, in the six key focus areas of this project: natural and recycled materials, passive buildings, water management, green roof and green walls and indoor agriculture. Best Case Studies: This document is a compendium of best case studies that illuminate the profound significance of sustainable building practices in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy. We explore six overarching themes, each of which delves into a distinct facet of sustainable building, emphasising its role in mitigating carbon emissions, conserving resources, and enhancing the quality of habitats in rural and urban life. Videos: 41 instructional videos on the "know-how" of sustainable building. Developing didactic materials to be added to the Toolkit for independent use. Noteworthy achievements exceeding initial expectations include the production of 41 videos, surpassing the proposed 36, and the availability of full educational materials in the four languages of the consortium, facilitating adaptation and dissemination among participating organisations and their respective communities. The 41 videos are as follows: Intro: 1, Topic 1: 10, Topic 2: 5, Topic 3: 6, Topic 4: 6, Topic 5: 6, Topic 6: 7. Total: 41. We have subtitles for all project languages, and additionally Spanish voiceovers for 33 videos, Greek voiceovers for 18 videos, and Hungarian voiceovers for 15 videos. The production of 41 videos further emphasised the promotion of low-cost sustainable building, acting as a tool to engage a broader audience in sustainability-oriented solutions, all while addressing climate change. Training Activities: 33 participants from partner organisations and target groups trained in the six main themes during LTTA Activities (Build Green Sustainable Spaces) C1 in Cantabria and C2 in Budapest, 4 more participants than in the application. Abrazohouse subsequently conducted a pilot training for 10 participants, and each partner then organised three trainings for 10 people each (total 90). More than 5 local organisations were invited to the trainings by each partner. There were follow-up sessions face-to-face and online. IO2 Curriculum, engaged partners with target groups, providing hands-on experience in the six main themes of "Build Green: Breakthrough in Sustainable Spaces." In its operational and online format, the Curriculum was designed for practical implementation, and ensured easy accessibility, supporting adults in successfully navigating sustainable building themes and case studies. Both outputs significantly contributed to the overall transferability of knowledge in the adult education context. E-guide Build Green Curriculum - IO2 A reference guide for all those who want to learn about the construction of sustainable spaces, whether they are professionals, self-builders or anyone who is interested in actively participating in the transition to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. We have focused on six main themes: the use of natural and recycled materials for building; low-cost passive houses that use little or no fossil fuel for heating and cooling; ecological wastewater treatment; green walls and roof gardens; and indoor agriculture. All of these approaches can reduce the amount of energy and resources required, both in the building phase and during maintenance thereafter. The project's results are anticipated to empower participants with skills aligned with the EU's circular, green economy goals. The emphasis on reducing waste and energy aligns with EU principles, contributing to addressing climate change. The acquired skills have the potential to generate income, particularly benefiting those facing disadvantages. Beyond economic benefits, the project aimed to influence participants' mindsets towards a more sustainable lifestyle.