In November 2013 Heinrich Böll Foundation Greece in cooperation with the Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki organized a series of training seminars which targeted at different groups with the purpose of training on the management and organization of NGOs, environmental education and reflection over issues on energy production and alternative heating systems.
Communication, inclusiveness, organization-management of NGO programs
In the first round of seminars, which were directed by special rapporteurs, 25 members of NGOs participated. The following topics were discussed:
- Volunteers management
- Project management-from drawing up an idea to evaluating the project
- Strengthening the group
- Campaign organization
- Communication
- Fundraising
- Financial management of resources
- Creating a social enterprise
Environmental Education Seminars
The second round of seminars included experiential seminars of environmental education and addressed teachers. George Blionis, Doctor of Ecology and Biology, was the coordinator and the heart of the seminar. This round aimed to show how a project can be held in a better, more democratic, open and more learner-centered way for the nature protection and the quality of life. In addition, experiential learner-centered processes were implemented, such as debates and a study visit outdoors (former Karatasiou military camp).
Autonomy workshops
The workshops’ aim was the reflection on practical issues of energy production, residential heating, avoiding the connection with the grid of PPC, environment protection, alternative heating systems installation and residential energy production.
The first seminar focused on introducing the alternative residential heating systems and the energy conservation to the participants. On the first day of the seminar an energy system (Trombe wall and a stand-alone photovoltaic system, respectively) was installed under the guidance of specialist Xenophon Zissis. On the second day of the seminar the group visited some houses on the outskirts of the city, where systems analyzed in the laboratories are installed. In the next two-day workshop a stand-alone photovoltaic system was constructed and installed, having as rapporteur Michael Sidiropoulos, electrical engineer and Head of Geyer photovoltaic installations.