As part of its efforts to promote environmental awareness and instill sustainable practices among younger generations, the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) implemented the second phase of environmental awareness activities within the framework of the Local Authorities Network for Sustainable Development (LAND) project. In cooperation with the local government units (LGUs) involved in the project, the activities were carried out in eight schools, targeting groups of students and teaching staff, with the aim of enhancing environmental awareness and highlighting the importance of managing and recycling organic waste.
The training included a hands-on demonstration of the principles of sorting at source and separation between organic and non-organic waste. Students were also trained in producing organic compost using manual units designed for this purpose. They were introduced to the steps of converting organic waste into natural fertilizer through compost production units, which provided them with a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability concepts.
This training was a key component of APLA’s efforts to create an integrated awareness-raising program for school students in participating local communities. The intervention went beyond theory by providing a school environment equipped for the practical application of environmental concepts. Schools were supplied with all necessary technical equipment for recycling, including designated containers for separating organic and non-organic waste, as well as advanced compost production units to produce organic fertilizer in schools. This allowed students to apply the process of transforming food leftovers and organic waste into natural compost that can be used in school gardens or surrounding green areas. The combination of theoretical instruction and practical application helped reinforce environmental concepts among students and encouraged them to adopt sustainable behaviors both inside and outside school.
This training represents a central component of the LAND project, led by APLA in partnership with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and other local and international partners. The project aims to enable students to develop a practical understanding of waste as an economic and environmental opportunity rather than a burden, through interactive activities that promote their environmental awareness and connect them with sustainability practices in real life.
