SwissContact: SusTour Project with Vocational Schools in Flores
Empowering Sustainable Practices in Flores Vocational Schools through Capacity Building and Community Engagement
Precious Island partnered with SUSTOUR to implement a Sustainability Coaching program in vocational schools in Labuan Bajo and Ruteng, Flores, with a focus on building a greener mindset. This case study documents the processes, findings, and impact from 2021 to guide long-term growth in education through sustainability.
The Challenge
Creating Sustainable Change through limited knowledge and system in Flores schools
The project aimed to address key challenges like limited sustainability education in schools, a lack of capacity to address environmental issues, and a need to connect cultural practices with environmental solutions. Many schools faced environmental challenges with lack of capacity to address problems, while also facing limited internet access that can create a challenge in digital engagement. Local communities also lacked specific knowledge in waste management and sustainability in school settings.
Our Solution
Culturally-Driven & Multi-Tiered Capacity Building
Precious Island employed a hands-on approach involving workshops, assessments, surveys, collaborative development and continuous teacher support. Our methodology included eco-enzyme production, community gardening, composting programs, in order to provide culturally relevant and practical sustainability initiatives to teachers and students in the two participating vocational school.
Precious Island’s collaboration with SUSTOUR highlights the significance of culturally attuned capacity building programs in achieving sustainable impacts for partner organizations. Through continuous local partnership and continuous engagement for education in communities, measurable change will result into large-scale growth and local empowerment, by building community and supporting initiatives.
Results (Impacts)
- Improved knowledge in sustainable methods. (95% of those surveyed expressed interest but only <50% know details of how it’s done)
- Established Waste Reduction System and teacher support modules. (2 separate waste bins now in operation in two different vocational schools).
- Teachers become self reliant in sustainability awareness initiatives through provided programs
- Creation of model school with systems for composting, recycling, waste disposal, and eco gardening, to be implemented further across regions.
The program established foundations for school sustainability including action and long term vision by creating community initiative, and empowering individuals and institution to achieve further growth on environment preservation. The initiative led to development of a community program to make sustainability actions and awareness as something natural and ordinary.
Implementation of Key Programs (Activities)
Key success factors in the program includes participation of various stakeholders, long-term capacity planning, practical implementation and tailored initiatives designed to specifically meet needs in the areas where these vocational schools are based.
