Brief description of the organisation/initiative
Project ECO is an innovative competition that gives young people a voice to shape a sustainable future. The first edition of the initiative was held in June-August 2020, during which young people aged 15-30 submit their ideas to contribute to waste processing, maintain clean air and preserve Bulgaran sea coast.
Challenge overview
Ecological challenges need not only large-scale measures but simple solutions that can bring positive change on our societies. Themes such as waste management, air pollution and nature protection open opportunities for young people to come up with smart and green ideas to contribute to sustainable development. The young entrepreneur Ivaylo Tsochev believes in the abilities of his peers to change our planet and helps them make the first steps through many initiatives, one of which is the Project Eco competition.
Establishment of the organisation/initiative/enterprise
Project ECO is an online competition for young people held in 2020. It is focused on three topics related to the current environmental issues in Bulgaria, which need a fresh look and enthusiasm.
Young people can submit ideas for preserving clean air after Covid-19, establishing waste diversion systems and campaigning for clean beaches in Bulgaria. The participants are asked to present their ideas and the jury to pick the most innovative projects and connect the winners with the sponsors and investors. There are three first prizes, one from each topic, which include the implementation of the project.
Project ECO is the thing that embodies Ivaylo’s ambitions for his work with Zero Waste. From the very beginning, he wanted to engage young people, companies and organisations in a common direction – He believes that this is the mechanism for achieving lasting change. The idea is for young people who are most affected by the climate crisis to present their ideas for solving current environmental cases. They will meet the support of companies and organisations that contribute funds and mentorship to the implementation of these ideas
Management structure and governance
Zero Waste is a Bulgarian business aiming to provoke green thinking and to promote sustainable change. The team does that by organising events and initiatives and working with businesses and NGOs. Zero Waste was founded in May 2019 and since then the team has successfully organised: the startup bootcamp and platform GreenUp, online national contest ProjectEco, charity exhibition for eco-art, summer campaign for clean beaches, web series for sustainable project in Bulgaria, multiple presentations, live events, political campaign against pollution and several online workshops. The founder of Zero Waste is the young entrepreneur Ivaylo Tsochev.
Project ECO is supported by Greenpeace-Bulgaria, Friends of Earth Bulgaria and the Public Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development -Varna. Their experts mentor the participants.
Principles of work, objectives and activities
The leading principle behind the Project ECO competition is that the change to a green future is possible with a clear plan. Project ECO is organised by Zero Waste.
One of the ways Zero Waste is trying to achieve lasting green change is its work with businesses and organisations. The team specialises in making plans to reduce waste and achieve carbon neutrality and partners with businesses that want to focus resources on events and initiatives that stimulate sustainable youth entrepreneurship in Bulgaria.
Target groups
The target group of the competition is young people aged 15-30 who want to make a change for a greener future.
Innovation
The initiative is categorised as a best practice because it foresees young people’s ideas as the milestone for a sustainable change and greener future. Project ECO unites businesses and young people to address the most pressing problems in Bulgarian ecological realm. The stimulus for participation is more than unique – for each submitted idea, a tree is planted.
Key partners
Key partners for Project ECO are medium and large Bulgarian companies that devoted time and resources to support the initiative and young people. Some of them are Solvay Sodi, Millennium Club, Biopak, Eco Partners Bulgaria, Ideal Standard, Public Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development – Varna, Friends of Earth Bulgaria.
Impact and Evaluation
The positive influence of Project ECO is visible today in the implementation of young people’s ideas. One of them is the documentary web series ECOLOGICA, inspired by the first edition of Project ECO. Maria Maruleva was one of the winners of the competition with the idea to create an online series. ECOLOGICA is a film guide that meets the audience with organisations and their initiatives to protect and preserve the environment. The first three episodes of the documentary series present the activities of teams with a cause for a more appropriate way of life and work in three different aspects – urban planning, animal species, zero waste business.
Recommendations
This best practice can be easily transferred to other regions and countries. The important aspects are motivated organisers, well-chosen topics related to environmental issues, partnership with businesses and professionals who can provide resources and mentoring.
Lessons Learned
Ivaylo Tsochev as a young entrepreneur with a cause managed to prove that young people are full of ideas and creative solutions that need a little push to be turned into reality. The lessons learned in the establishing of Project ECO and other green initiatives is the professionalism of experts, practitioners and businesses that can be easily chanalise for the next generation of green entrepreneurs who are able to protect the environment in a sustainable and creative manner.
References
The website of Project ECO.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.