EchoGreen

We are pleased to announce the 5th event of the Echogreen Project, which will be held in Riga, Latvia, this April. Representatives from 14 participating countries will come together to share knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches related to environmental sustainability.

The event will focus on key themes that are central to building a more sustainable future:

Sustainable Development & Circular Economy
This theme explores strategies that promote responsible use of resources, reduce environmental impact, and encourage economic systems where materials are reused, repaired, and recycled rather than discarded. The circular economy approach aims to extend product lifecycles and minimize waste while supporting sustainable growth.

3R Strategy for Waste Management
The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) strategy is a fundamental framework for managing waste more efficiently. It emphasizes reducing waste at its source, reusing materials whenever possible, and recycling resources to decrease the volume of waste sent to landfills while conserving natural resources.

Ecocycle
The Ecocycle concept highlights the continuous flow and regeneration of resources within natural and human systems. It encourages sustainable practices that ensure materials and energy circulate in environmentally responsible cycles, helping communities move towards zero-waste and long-term ecological balance.

Through presentations, discussions, and collaborative activities, the event aims to strengthen international cooperation and inspire practical solutions that support greener communities and a healthier planet.

Kunsill Lokali Is-Siġġiewi
EchoGreen

Press Release - Echogreen Event IV in Vila Nova de Poiares and Coimbra, Portugal

The EchoGreen Project, an environmental initiative promoted by the Siggiewi Local Council, continues to strengthen European cooperation on sustainability and climate action. The project aims to raise awareness and inspire meaningful action on environmental protection, climate change, the European Green Deal, and the Circular Economy. By bringing together citizens, young people, policymakers, civil society organisations, and sustainability experts, EchoGreen promotes environmentally responsible behaviour and positive community action, particularly in peripheral and hydrogeologically vulnerable areas.

The initiative is supported by a strong European partnership comprising 14 organisations across 13 EU Member States: Malta, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Lithuania, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Latvia, and Bulgaria. At the heart of the project lies the 3Rs Philosophy — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — encouraging participants to transform sustainability into a conscious daily lifestyle and to adopt environmental responsibility as a shared civic duty.

The fourth transnational meeting of the EchoGreen Project was held between 9 and 12 February 2026 in Vila Nova de Poiares and Coimbra, Portugal. The event welcomed 67 participants, including 45 local and 22 international delegates. The meeting aimed to publicly present the project and its goals, build capacity among staff and managers, facilitate knowledge-sharing among partner countries, and strengthen civic engagement and awareness of European environmental strategies.

A central highlight of the meeting was the Climate Mitigation session, which addressed the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors such as energy production, industry, transport, and agriculture. Participants reflected on the European Union’s commitment to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Discussions emphasised increasing the share of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, accelerating the transition to cleaner transport systems, and expanding infrastructure for alternative fuels. Sustainable waste management was also discussed, focusing on prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery, and responsible disposal.

The session successfully connected European climate ambitions with concrete local actions. Participants examined how emission reductions can be achieved while fostering economic growth, social inclusion, and the creation of green jobs. The importance of international cooperation to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C was also underlined, reinforcing the global dimension of climate action.

During the meeting, participants were introduced to inspiring local good practices in Vila Nova de Poiares. A visit to Capril da Serra in São Miguel de Poiares showcased how traditional goat herding supports vegetation management, reduces wildfire risks, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes sustainable tourism. Through the educational experience “A Day with the Shepherd,” visitors can reconnect with rural traditions while learning about biodiversity conservation and fire prevention.

The delegation also met with the Agrupamento de Escolas de Vila Nova de Poiares, where Director Mr. Eduardo Carlos Torres Sequeira presented the Eco-Schools initiative, coordinated globally by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Operating in more than 70 countries and involving over 56,000 schools and approximately 20 million students, the programme transforms schools into active laboratories of sustainability. By following a structured methodology that includes environmental assessment, action planning, and student participation, schools address themes such as waste, energy, water, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable food systems. Institutions that successfully complete the programme are awarded the Green Flag in recognition of their commitment.

One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was the collaborative development of the “Decalogue EchoGreen,” a symbolic document outlining ten guiding environmental principles agreed upon by all partner countries. This shared document captures the project’s vision and proposes practical actions for environmental protection and sustainable living. The Decalogue will be formally presented during the final project meeting in Slovenia.

Through transnational exchange, interactive learning, and the sharing of good practices, the EchoGreen Project continues to bridge European environmental policy with local implementation. Participants concluded the meeting with strengthened capacities, new project ideas, and renewed commitment to sustainability and civic responsibility. To enhance outreach and visibility, the project has launched its official page, “EchoGreen Project,” providing updates and information about ongoing activities and future developments.

Kunsill Lokali Is-Siġġiewi

During the presentation “The Factory of the Future – The Sustainable City”, we had the pleasure of welcoming Escola Básica e Secundária Dr. Daniel de Matos, who delivered a truly inspiring presentation.

The students shared details of the many initiatives led by their Eco-Escolas team, highlighting practical actions they are taking to promote sustainability within their school and community. 🌱

It is incredibly encouraging to see the commitment, creativity, and sense of responsibility these young people are demonstrating towards protecting our environment. They are not just learning about sustainability, they are actively shaping it.

Because they are the future. 💚

FinalAEVNP_Ecoescola_PT_V2.mp4

Being in Poiares, we couldn’t miss a visit to the Capril da Serra Centre 🐐, a public project managed by the Parish Council, inspired by traditional goat herding and combines environmental management, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism, showing how the local territory can be protected while still being enjoyed. Here, the goat isn’t just livestock… it’s the true symbol of Poiares and an important part of its identity.


Kunsill Lokali Is-Siġġiewi

Today, 14 EU countries came together in Portugal to discuss and share ideas for a more eco-green world 🌍♻️
The 4th event officially started today, looking forward to inspiring collaboration, innovative solutions, and a greener future for all!

Kunsill Lokali Is-Siġġiewi

🎉 Ready for the 4th Echogreen Event? 🇵🇹

We’re getting together soon in Portugal to explore some exciting and vital topics including:

🌱 Renewable Energy
🏙️ The Factory of the Future – The Sustainable City
🌍 Climate Mitigation
…and much more!

Let’s discuss, share, and shape ideas for a greener future. 🌿
See you soon for the Echogreen Project!

🌍 Echogreen is back – Event #4 is loading… ⏳♻️

The CERV European Project – Echogreen is launching its 4th international event, bringing together participants from 14 countries with one shared aim: building a greener, more sustainable future for Europe.

This time, the spotlight is on:
🌱 Climate mitigation
⚡ Renewable energy
♻️ Sustainability in action

Ideas, dialogue, and collaboration across borders, because real change happens when Europe works together.

Stay tuned… the journey continues! 🚀💚

Echogreen Event III:
EchoGreen in Bari: European Partners United for a Sustainable Future

The City of Bari welcomed the international delegation of the project “EchoGreen – Reshaping Our Environment”, funded by the European programme CERV Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values, Thematic Networking of Twinned Towns - European Conferences. 🇪🇺

The delegation was received at Palazzo della Città, where participants were greeted by local authorities and had the opportunity to meet and exchange with Mayor Vito Leccese. During the visit, certificates were also formally presented to the representatives of the partner organisations in recognition of their commitment to the project.

The project, led by the Maltese city of Siġġiewi and involving 13 partners from across the European Union (Malta, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania, Greece, Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Latvia), focused on environmental protection, climate change, the European Green Deal and the circular economy, with the objective of exploring, learning and collaborating on good practices that may secure a sustainable future for the next generations.

The two-day programme in Bari represented the third of six conferences scheduled through July 2026, following previous sessions held in Siġġiewi (Malta) and Holloko (Hungary).

Bari’s Deputy Mayor Giovanna Iacovone opened the meeting by expressing the city’s pleasure in hosting the delegation and by illustrating the strategic priorities of the municipal administration, aligned with the goals of EchoGreen. She highlighted the importance of sharing experiences and working together to identify effective actions that cities can take to address climate-related challenges and protect the environment through both small and large scale interventions in urban regeneration and circular economy initiatives.

Elda Perlino, Councillor for Climate, Ecological Transition and Environment, added that the programme offered participants the opportunity to discover Bari through symbolic sites that reflect its identity, as well as the city’s ongoing projects aimed at tackling climate change, urban green development, soil-consumption reduction, water reuse, and recycling.

The delegation included representatives from partner municipalities, universities and associations.

The group visited the Centro Regionale Mare (CRM) of Arpa Puglia, the regional unit responsible for high-level technical activities linked to the marine environment. They were welcomed by Arpa Puglia’s Director General, Vito Bruno.

In the afternoon, the working sessions took place in the City Council chamber of Palazzo della Città, focusing on “Climate Change and Territorial Fragility” and “Climate Risk Management: Protecting People and Well-being.”

On Thursday, 4 December, the delegation was scheduled to visit Bari Vecchia, the Petruzzelli Theatre and the historic headquarters of the Apulian Aqueduct.

The final afternoon session, hosted at the Apulian Aqueduct, was dedicated to “Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation”, followed by an educational simulation for local schools entitled “The Factory of the Future – The Sustainable City.”

Kunsill Lokali Is-Siġġiewi

Today, representatives from 14 European countries gathered in Bari for the third event of the Echogreen Project, organised by the Siggiewi Local Council.

🍃🍂This meeting focused on two key themes: “Climate Change and the Fragility of the Territory” and “Managing Climate Risks.” Participants shared ideas and explored various projects aimed at strengthening knowledge and cooperation across Europe.

🤝The group was warmly welcomed by the Mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese, in the majestic Palazzo della Città.

🌊The programme also included an insightful session at the Centro Regionale Mare, where we learned about the monitoring and testing of bathing waters along the Apulian coast.

Our visit continued through the characteristic narrow streets of Bari’s historic centre, concluding with a stop at the beautiful St Nicholas Cathedral.

Photos to follow! 📸