New European Bauhaus Prizes

Identify the award category for which this concept is being submitted

Reconnecting with nature

Concept title

«Solar future for the little ones»

Full concept title

Solar Future for the Youngest: Energy Independence and Interactive Learning through Renewable Energy

Please provide a short, catchy description of your concept to be used in communication towards the public

The project aims to engage children in learning about renewable energy sources by creating an educational and information space for them with interactive examples of renewable energy use, as well as to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources in the Veselka kindergarten №16 in Zviahel.

Where was your concept implemented?

Ukraine

At which level is the concept being developed or/and implemented (e.g., does it cover the entire national level, one or several regions, cities etc?)

Local

Please indicate which city(ies)/village(s)

Zviahel city territorial community

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?

Mainly urban

Does your concept refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?

It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Please indicate the current stage of development of your concept

Early concept

Has your concept benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?

Has your concept won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?

Please indicate on whose behalf you are submitting the application

As an individual

Please provide a summary of your project, outlining the overall aim, target group(s), specific objective(s) and achieved outcomes in the context of the respective category you apply for

Overall objective: The project aims to raise awareness of renewable energy sources among children by creating an interactive learning space where they can explore renewable energy sources and environmental technologies. It will help to increase energy independence, provide autonomous lighting for the territory and raise environmental awareness among the younger generation.
Target groups: 251 children attending the kindergarten, including children with tuberculosis and speech disorders (94 girls and 123 boys)
70 educators of the institution
Approximately 1000 residents of the Zviahel community
Objectives:
- To raise environmental awareness among children by installing a battery charging station that will help teach children to use resources rationally.
- Creating an educational space by installing an interactive area using renewable energy sources (a mini-windmill to demonstrate energy generation, a bicycle generator - children will be able to generate electricity on their own, a portable mini-station for charging educational electronic games (smart tablet in Ukrainian, camera with instant printing, electronic logic games, interactive educational toys, music panels, magnetic fishing, etc.)
- Increasing energy independence by installing a hybrid solar power plant (SPP) with a storage device.
- Ensuring a safe environment by installing autonomous solar poles to illuminate the kindergarten territory.
Expected results:
- Children's interest in the use of renewable energy sources increased through interactive games.
- Reduced electricity consumption due to the use of RES
- Promoted an environmentally friendly lifestyle among children and the community
- Improved educational environment through autonomous lighting of the territory

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.

Implementation of renewable energy sources

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Ensuring a safe environment

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Renewable energy training space

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Formation of environmental awareness in children

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Increasing interest in RES among children

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The project ‘Solar Future for the Youngest: Energy Independence and Interactive Learning through Renewable Energy’ is aimed at sustainable community development through the introduction of renewable energy sources. The installation of a hybrid solar power plant with a storage device and autonomous lighting of the territory will help reduce the consumption of conventional electricity. The project also has an educational component: installation of a mini-windmill, mini-renewable energy stations, a solar fountain, solar benches, a bicycle generator, and a learning space with interactive educational games to help children learn the principles of renewable energy. The information campaign will help to raise environmental awareness among children, parents and the community. Thanks to its comprehensive approach, the project will become a model for other educational institutions and communities, demonstrating how to combine renewable energy technologies and modern environmental education.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The Solar Future for the Youngest project combines aesthetics, functionality and environmental education to create a comfortable and innovative space for children and the community. The modern design of the solar lights and mini-renewable energy stations blends seamlessly into the landscape, improving the aesthetic appeal of the area. An interactive space with a solar fountain, a bicycle generator and educational games creates an exciting experience for children, stimulating their curiosity through interaction with renewable energy sources. The cultural component is manifested in the introduction of educational games in Ukrainian, which supports the development of the native language and the intellectual enrichment of children. The project is exemplary as it demonstrates how aesthetics, sustainability and learning can be harmoniously combined through good design and technology integration, creating an inspiring space for future generations.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The project ‘Sunny Future for the Littlest’ aims to create a space accessible to all children, regardless of their physical abilities or social status. The territory is equipped with a barrier-free environment: wide paths and adapted learning areas. Autonomous lighting improves safety at night and in the dark season, while solar benches and a solar fountain create a comfortable environment for all visitors. The bicycle generator and interactive educational games are designed with ‘design for all’ principles in mind, enabling children with different needs to interact with renewable energy technologies. The project is exemplary as it demonstrates how modern design, sustainability and accessibility can be combined to create a space where every child feels comfortable, safe and engaged in learning and play.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement.

The Solar Future for the Little Ones project was implemented with the active participation of the community. Parents and teachers expressed interest in the arrangement of the space and developed the project concept. As a result, solar lanterns, a solar fountain, solar benches, a charging station for electric games, and a bicycle generator were added. The local authorities promoted the integration of renewable energy and provided support for the installation of the SPP. Joint decision-making made the project as useful and exemplary as possible for the sustainable development of the community.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was

At the local level, the Solar Future for the Little Ones project was supported by the Zviahel City Council. Parents and educators initiated the project by expressing their needs for safety, energy efficiency, and learning space. The city authorities helped to integrate RES education activities and provided co-financing and organisational support, making the project as useful as possible for the community.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was

The Solar Future for the Little Ones project combined energy management, pedagogy, and public participation. Energy managers studied and developed renewable energy solutions, educators, together with parents and energy managers, developed eco-programmes, and local authorities supported the project. This cooperation ensured an effective, modern and sustainable project.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project

The Solar Future for the Little Ones project is innovative in its combination of renewable energy and interactive education. It not only provides energy independence but also teaches children through solar panels, a bicycle generator and interactive stations. The space is adapted for everyone, and the community is actively involved. This is a new approach to creating an environmentally friendly and educational environment.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.

The Solar Future for the Youngest project can take an innovative and integrative approach to developing environmental awareness among children. It is based on an emphasis on educating future generations through interactive learning about renewable energy sources, including solar energy. The project involves workshops and practical classes for children to help them understand the importance of preserving the environment and find new ways to use solar energy in their everyday lives. The main approach is an activity-based method where children are actively involved in research and experiments.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.

The Solar Future for the Youngest project includes a methodology for interactive learning about renewable energy sources and the use of solar panels for practical experiments.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions

The Solar Future for the Youngest project aims to address global challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources and lack of environmental awareness among young people. It offers local solutions by educating children, promoting renewable energy sources, including solar energy, and educating the younger generation about environmental responsibility. This allows children to develop a conscious approach to the use of natural resources, which further helps to reduce the ecological footprint at the local level and has a positive impact on global processes.

Please describe the foreseen steps envisaged to further develop, promote and/or implement the concept with a particular focus on the year following the application

After submitting an application, the Solar Future for the Youngest project includes the following steps: during the first 3 months, donors and partners will be sought to finance the project; from the 4th to the 11th month, the main works will be carried out, including the installation and connection of a solar power plant, autonomous lighting, the purchase of the necessary games and charging stations, and the arrangement of an interactive corner with a demonstration of renewable energy sources; in the 11th-12th month, reporting to donors and partners on the results achieved and adjusting further steps based on the data obtained.

Please attach at least one high resolution image or visual representation of your concept to your application.

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