Zerowaste lab – “Manifesto”

CSO: Zerowaste lab – “Manifesto”
Area: Sustainable Cities
Location: Portugal

Type of project

The Wasteless Manifesto combines practical workshops with a campaign to provide practical zero waste solutions (including bulk consumption), highlighted by two international days. It includes a participatory manifesto created by the young people which will be a guide and reference for future sustainability actions that can be revisited and improved, and also a video production.

The interest of the project its is national dimension through a digital campaign that aims to reach a great number of youth.
Besides, working in partnership with Ryse (association of university students) will help the initiaves reach a wider audience.

Target (Disengaged)

The use of digital platforms, especially social networks such as Instagram and YouTube, will allow the message to reach a wider and more diverse audience, including young people in urban and rural areas.
Young people from rural areas, often more disconnected from traditional forms of active participation and less involved in youth programs, will be especially involved. This project will seek to respond to these needs, encouraging their active participation through
accessible digital tools and content adapted to their reality. The participatory manifesto co-creation sessions will serve as a space for dialogue and reflection, promoting their active participation as replicators of the message in their communities.
Publicity will also be done through the preparation and sending of a press release, sent to the local press, with the aim of raising awareness in the community about waste management and sustainability issues, promoting Zero Waste practices. The local press plays an important role in publicizing the topic and also the places where young people and the general population can obtain more information and get involved in the project. Another strategy will be to work closely with the local press from various geographies at national level, ensuring greater coverage and involvement of diverse audiences.

Science – Based

The project is based on robust scientific evidence to ensure that educational content is rigorous and reliable. During the workshops, experts in sustainability and human rights will be invited to present data, studies and good practices that can inform participants about the relevance and applicability of the issues addressed. Additionally, the educational videos and participatory manifesto will include references to scientific sources and examples of successful initiatives, thus promoting confidence in science and critical understanding among young people. This approach not only provides a solid foundation of knowledge, but also stimulates curiosity and research, encouraging young people to seek out more information and become informed advocates for sustainability through the lens of waste and the circular economy.

Gender

Non-violent dialogue will be promoted, centered on tolerance and mutual respect between all participants. During all activities, balanced representation of people of different genders will be ensured, and discussions will be encouraged on how gender issues interact with sustainability and active citizenship. Furthermore, the project will value practices and examples that inspire better citizenship behaviors and practices, where all people, regardless of their gender, are indispensable to achieve a positive and lasting impact.
Zero Waste Lab is committed to applying questionnaires that can be validated in this context and adjusting strategies to guarantee equal opportunity.

Planned activities

The organization wants to work with 100 young people from the Lisbon Youth Center and Ryse (national reach) with a potential of 30% of IPDJ and CJL followers, directly and indirectly benefiting 7350 young people as indirect beneficiaries

Youth training:

• 60 young people participating in the workshops
• Assessment of knowledge acquired through pre- and post-workshop questionnaires. (60 questionnaires are expected to be administered, with a response rate above 70%)
• An increase of between 45-60% of young people reporting changes in their daily sustainability practices after participation.

WasteLess Manifesto:

• 100 young people involved
• Reach on social media: 4000 shares and views

Literacy on social media:

• 4000 views and interactions of educational videos on social
• Expected increase of 10% in the number of followers on the consortium’s social media during and after the campaign.
• Expected minimum participation of 20% of young people in the development of replicating videos.

Action model

The project has 3 expected results.

• R1. Young people trained in sustainability practices and active citizenship.
• R2. Participatory manifesto on the principles of Zero Waste – WasteLess Manifesto.
• R3. Increasing literacy on sustainability and active citizenship on social media.