Achieved results

After the welcoming speech of the representative of the Cyprus Post, the host of the conference, an overview of all the activities undertaken in order to achieve the targeted results of the project was presented:

• The GreenPosts Assessment Tool (PR1),
• “Implementing European Green Deal in Posts” Course (PR2),
• Peer to Peer success stories videos (PR3),
• Virtual Think Tank (PR4)

It was concluded that all 4 results were achieved: https://greenposts.eu/activities/

In addition to the achieved results,  the workshop for “green ambassadors”, an LTT activity held from January 30 to February 1, 2023, where the course curriculum was discussed, tasks were solved in groups, self-testing of knowledge was carried out, and familiarization with the functions of Virtual Think Tank and designed a draft of the future Guide for teachers who will convey the message and results of the GreenPosts project to their colleagues, were evaluated.

3 project’s partners meetings were also held. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first one was held online through the MSTeams platform. The second was held in July 2022 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the third in January 2023 in Athens, Greece.

Partnership for cooperation

At the conference in Cyprus, the participants had the opportunity to give their views on the results of the work and the relations and cooperation between the partners over the past two years. Although all project results have been achieved, it remains to prepare the documentation for the final report to the National Agency, and at the meeting it was determined what these documents are and what they should contain and how to prepare them.

On the second day of the conference, the participants visited the Capo Greco environment educational centre where they had the opportunity to see what is being done to preserve the biodiversity of the area. Along with the photo projection, an employee of the Centre gave an interesting lecture about the endangered nature of the animal and plant life of Cyprus and how they are opposed to the negative effects of man on nature. One of the attractions of Ayia Napa is the Sculpture Museum, which was designed as a park dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity, where artists gather every year and make sculptures that then remain permanently in the park. Only plant species specific to Cyprus may be planted in the park.

At the end of the Final Conference, the participants evaluated the meeting and cooperation on the project and expressed their desire to cooperate on some future projects.

The overall aim of the GreenPosts event was to communicate the 4 products/results of the project.

The speakers – Mrs M. Kentristou, Mr G. karagiannis, the members of the GreenPosts’ project team – Mrs M. Staratki, Mrs C. Kitsiou, Mr A. Maragkakis, and the Green Ambassadors – Mrs A. Riga, Mrs Z. Aisopou and Mrs M. Koumanioti, highlighted the key components of the project emphasizing on the:

• “Principles of the European Green Deal” and how those principles can be adopted, embedded and further developed by the postal operators;
• Objectives, Scope, Work Breakdown Structure and Results of the project;
• “Farm to Fork” pillar of the European Green Deal and how it can be exploited by the postal sector;
• “GreenPosts’ Training Prototype” and its methodology
• Training of the “Green Ambassadors“
• Virtual Think Tank (the training platform of the project)
• Creation of the “Video Success Stories” (short films demonstrating “good environmental actions” implemented by the participant postal operators in Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria).

The Multiplier event in Kaisariani (Athens) offered a unique moment to more than 50 participants (project stakeholders and employees) to deep dive in the challenges and opportunities of the sustainable development and to raise the awareness on issues related to climate change.

The participants, employees of the Croatian Post and representatives of several ministries, educational institutions, local communities and companies had the opportunity to see video stories about the successful implementation of the European Green Deal in the postal sector, as well as the planned activities that will be undertaken in order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality of Europe.

Information exchange

The event is also designed as an interactive exchange of information and experiences. Participants whose activities are not closely related to the postal sector, but operate in one of the “green” areas, got a “broader” picture of how much the post office can be a significant stakeholder in the green transition and how they can help with their ideas, innovations or adoption of rules in the realization of the common “green” goal. They also got access to free education through the project website www.greenposts.eu, which, although designed for the postal sector, is also applicable in any other organization that wants to educate its employees about the measures of the European Green Deal and the role they can play in achieving climate neutrality.

During the conversation after the project activities and results presentation, the participants also expressed their interest in future cooperation on the implementation of the EGD, and they rated the event itself highly.

Bulgarian Posts’ project team members presented the GreenPosts project in the context of the European Green Deal and the project results achieved, including the assessment tool, the training course, the video stories and the virtual think tank. In addition, a live demonstration of the e-learning platform was made, and the role of the postal sector for sustainable development was discussed. The participants engaged in a lively discussion regarding the responsibility of institutions, businesses and individuals for the future of our planet and next generations.

In the spirit of the GreenPosts project, the participants received dedicated promotional materials made of recycled and ecological materials.

During the event:

 – The Project Manager of the program “GreenPosts” presented the project giving emphasis to the related objectives and outcomes,

– Diplomas were also awarded by the Minister, to the Postal Employees who attended the training program related to “GreenPosts”

– The photo competition with the theme “biodiversity” was presented,

– Prizes and diplomas were awarded by the Minister, to the 10 first winners of the photo competition.

We invite you to take some time and access the online course within the Erasmus+ GreenPosts project. Namely, everyone already knows that climate change is an increasing threat to the survival of man and the world, and the European Green Deal (EGD) proposes a series of measures to strengthen the resilience of the European Union and the transition to a modern, efficient and competitive economy. Erasmus+ project GreenPosts, which is driven by the EU’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without jeopardizing economic growth and with equal representation of all regions, improves the basic skills and competences of workers in the postal sector in order to have a positive impact on the environment and the community. The project supports green and social action for the environment by raising people’s awareness of the impact of climate change at the local and global level and on the economy.

How is the course designed?

• The GreenPosts project enables each course participant to raise awareness of the role of postal operators, but also of each individual in creating a better environment that we all strive for.
• It also offers solutions that help post offices contribute to climate change resistance.
• Based on this, online education was developed, which consists of one module and 9 lessons that follow the 9 pillars of EGD.

Who is it intended for?

• To workers in the postal sector, but also to everyone who wants to improve their knowledge and skills in the application of EGD measures in their business environment and life.
• In each lesson, in addition to theoretical knowledge, participants can also see examples of good practice.

How to attend it?

• The course is attended on the official website of the GreenPosts project, www.greenposts.eu , or directly on the link https://vtt.greenposts.eu/login/index.php .
• To be able to access the course, you need to register first, after which you choose the language in which you want to attend the training.
• The course is available in English, Croatian, Greek and Bulgarian.
• After each lesson there is a quiz that needs to be completed for all 9 lessons in order to receive a certificate of successful completion of the course.
• You can share your thoughts on the green transition and achieving the EGD goals, as well as questions or examples of your own good practices in a Virtual think tank designed specifically for the exchange of ideas and connections in order to successfully achieve the goal – climate change resistance.

Good luck!

• Raising Awareness of EGD

• Measuring Enviromental Impact

• Mitigation action

• Waste management

Newsletter no. 2

Newsletter no. 3

Newsletter no. 4

The overall impact of the Success Videos will be to:

• Increase post offices’ staff’s motivation
• Developing new ideas
• Inspiration
• Learn from others’ mistakes
• Learn how to handle difficult situations
• Promote everyday actions for prevent climate change

The innovative character of this proposed result lies in the fact that as representatives of successful actions will motivate the target group, encourage them to change attitudes and adopt a new mindset, inspire people to become involved and encourage sustainable behaviours. Furthermore, this material is digital and easy to watch and get inspired. These videos will be able to “travel” and be presented by various stakeholders. As a result, subtitles in each video are in English language in order to make them transferable and adaptable to similar contexts that can be developed for other languages and cultures.

Finally, the “Peer-to-Peer videos” can have a worldwide resonance making a significant and long-lasting difference concerning climate actions in the European societies, while fulfilling the main aims of the GreenPosts project.

The content of the Peer-to-Peer Videos is innovative as it could be easily transferred to other EU countries as it does not entail any additional costs. Also, it is extremely useful for all the partnership’s organizations involved, as well as for other organizations which wish to take actions in local level for Climate change and environmental degradation, as it will provide the opportunity to other local authorities’ staff from urban and rural areas, which have not been involved in the pilot phase of the project to access information, to learn from others’ experiences, and be inspired.

Implemented activities

A1: Preparatory work – draft of a brief and practical research guide

A2: Developing the questionnaire for the Interviews – each partner will draft a set of questions based on the subject they will choose

A3: Development of Peer-to-Peer Success Videos – each partner interviewed and film 2-3 representatives of local post offices with a good practice. Raw video material with a full transcript were edited in order to make it easy-to watch and motivate learners. Furthermore, the video will be shared through the “Virtual Think Tank” and other communication channels.

A4: Translate and create subtitles

A5: Dissemination of the Success Stories