The project organiser, the internationally renowned programme for sustainable development Eco-schools, with the partner support of the BTC Company strengthened the consciousness about sustainable mobility among young people. At the event, the best kindergartens, primary and high schools, as well as the best faculty were announced and received prizes. Creative works of young artists will be exhibited until the start of July in Hall A to all visitors of BTC City Ljubljana.

The Mission: Green Steps project, this year organised for the first time, encouraged with its contest the creativity of young people on the topic of sustainable development, especially green mobility. By creating fine arts and being involved in a discussion young people encouraged the use of sustainable means of transport. Despite the modern way of life, they actively sought for more means of environment-friendly transportation and actively discussed their role in the preservation of a clean environment. Involved in the project were 2,100 young people from 129 establishments across entire Slovenia.

The project engaged young people to commit themselves with their activities to the art contest, technical and graphic creating, and to research work. The most innovative and creative in individual categories were: kindergarten VVZ Kekec Grosuplje in the category of kindergartens and the first triad, followed by kindergarten VVZ Radovljica, unit Lesce, and primary school OŠ Livada.

In the category of the second and the third triad, the first place went to primary school I. OŠ Celje, followed by primary schools OŠ Gornji Petrovci and OŠ Anice Černejeve Makole. In the third group of secondary schools and faculties, secondary school Gimnazija Ledina and the Faculty of Education Ljubljana were tied for the first place, the second place went to the secondary health and cosmetology school Srednja zdravstvena in kozmetična šola Maribor, while secondary school Gimnazija Celje-Center placed third.

In a special category, primary school OŠ Glazija took the first place, followed by primary school OŠ dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj OŠPP and CUDV Dobrna.

The organisers presented the winners with awards and diplomas at the final event in SiTi Teater BTC which included the presentation of best works that will be exhibited in Hall A of BTC City Ljubljana until 5 July 2017. Besides the organisers, representatives of the Slovenian government honoured the project with their visit, as well.

Mr Peter Gašperšič, Phd, Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Slovenia, told in his speech that today we face a challenge of how to preserve all the positive impacts a car has on the development of mobility with as little burdening of the environment as possible. He also stated that the answer lies in sustainable mobility, which is regarded as the key challenge in the development of traffic in the period until 2030 and later on until 2050.
He appealed to all the participants to be ambassadors of green mobility and to encourage their schoolmates, friends, and others to act in the same way. “This is the only way more people will start caring for mankind and for the environment. Always seek for new and environment-friendly mobility solutions,” stressed the minister and invited all the attendees to join him in taking part in the European Car-free day on 20th September in the scope of which a day of sustainable mobility for young people will be organised.

Gregor Cerar, MSc, national coordinator of Eco-schools programme, pointed out: “Among young people in Slovenian Eco-schools we are gradually increasing the level of awareness and knowledge of different aspects of sustainable mobility, we help them connect to different life habits and encourage them to change their behaviour in order to improve their own as well as general sustainable mobility. Even with small steps and individual measures, e. g. the choice of transportation in our everyday life, we can have a positive impact on our environment, health, and the quality of life.”

“The care for the society and the environment intertwines with the activities and the development of the BTC Company. Thus, we were happy to become part of the Mission: Green Steps project, with which we cooperatively encouraged the creativity of young people concerning mobility – a topical issue for the environment. Traffic is one of the largest polluters; therefore, a shift towards sustainable means of mobility is essential both in the way we think as well as in the way we act. Together we can encourage and change our habits and contribute to a cleaner environment,” said Mr Miha Mermal, Director of Mission: Green business unit in the BTC Company upon the conclusion of the programme.

The BTC Company’s cooperation in the project is realised in the scope of the business pillar Mission: Green, which combines socially responsible projects and activities for sustainable development. With an array of activities, the BTC Company and its partners create opportunities for the current and all future generations.

The Eco-schools programme is the leading programme of the International Foundation for Environmental Education and represents the largest international network of children, young people, educators, and teachers in the world, who implement environmental education and principles of sustainable development in their everyday work and in the teaching-learning process.

Additional information:

Maja Oven, Director of Market Communications and Public Relations Sector

• T: +386 (0)1 585 13 15
• E: maja.oven@btc.si