How can Erasmus+ projects better understand and reduce their environmental impact? This question was at the heart of the GreenEUR Civic Engagement Workshop, held online on 6 July 2026 and organised by the Université de Lorraine, GreenEUR project coordinator, in collaboration with the Grand Est Region.
Bringing together coordinators of Erasmus+ projects from different sectors, the workshop provided an opportunity to present GreenEUR’s environmental impact calculator and label, while gathering valuable feedback from potential users. The event marked an important step in ensuring that the project’s outputs are practical, relevant, and adaptable beyond higher education.
The Grand Est Region invited leaders from 47 Erasmus+ projects, with 12 participants joining the online session. The workshop began with an introduction to the GreenEUR project, followed by a demonstration of the environmental impact calculator and the associated GreenEUR label. Participants were then invited to test the tools themselves and share their impressions through an interactive survey.
The discussions highlighted that environmental impact assessment is still far from common practice among Erasmus+ projects. Most participants reported that they do not currently use dedicated assessment tools and tend to associate environmental impact mainly with mobility, demonstrating the need for a more comprehensive approach.
Overall, participants welcomed the GreenEUR calculator and label, describing them as relevant and easy to use. They also shared valuable suggestions for further improvement, including making the tool available in additional languages, refining some assessment options, and expanding the range of activities covered to better reflect the diversity of Erasmus+ projects.
The workshop also sparked discussions on broader sustainability challenges, such as how to recognise projects with positive environmental contributions and how to balance environmental considerations with inclusion when activities involve remote regions or partners.
The feedback collected during the workshop will help further refine the GreenEUR tools and ensure they respond to the needs of Erasmus+ projects across higher education, vocational education and training, school education, youth, and sport. The strong interest shown by participants, including several who expressed their intention to use the calculator in their own projects, demonstrates the growing demand for practical tools that support more sustainable project management.
The image is for illustrative purposes.
Photo: Diva Plavalaguna on Pexels