At the beginning of September, Donato Lorubio, GreenEUR project coordinator from the University of Lorraine, together with Gulsum Karaman from Eskisehir Technical University and Helena Alves from the European University Foundation, brought the conversation on the sustainability of EU-funded projects to the 35th EAIE Conference in Gothenburg. Their session, “Greening your cooperation project: Co-creating solutions to reduce environmental impact”, invited participants to reflect on how sustainability is – or could be – embedded in the way projects are designed and run.
The session took a participatory format, encouraging attendees to share their own perspectives. Through questions such as “How often do you consider environmental impact when designing project activities?” or “How confident are you in assessing the environmental impact of your project activities?”, the discussion opened up a space for exchange and self-reflection.
Participants were also asked to list and rank different types of project activities – in areas such as mobility, events, communication & dissemination, ICT, and materials – according to their environmental footprint. This exercise set the stage for a lively brainstorming session on how these impacts could be considered and potentially reduced at every stage of project development. Suggestions ranged from choosing accommodation with green certifications and offering hybrid or online participation options, to small but effective ICT habits such as sending document links instead of attachments and keeping inboxes clean. For events, participants noted the importance of considering location accessibility and greener travel options right from the planning stage.
A special highlight of the session was a preview of the project’s new Environmental Impact Calculator. Developed as a practical tool for project managers, it can be applied at any stage of a project’s lifecycle. Its greatest value, however, lies in early planning, guiding applicants toward project designs that are not only innovative but also environmentally responsible.
By blending exchange, reflection, and practical takeaways, the session helped shine a light on the collective responsibility – and the tangible opportunities – to adopt eco-conscious practices in project planning and implementation, contributing to a collective effort for a greener future.
Photo by Bilderboken on Unsplash