The ceremony was attended by the Mayor, Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes, who praised the pioneering work of schools in the environmental cause. Awards were also presented to students involved in the "WETLANDS – A Treasure to Conserve" competition, organized by the Blue Flag Association for Environment and Education (ABAAE).
Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes highlighted the importance of correcting habits and introducing new daily practices for sustainability, especially commending the work of professor Luís Vaz. Accompanied by councilors Manuel Lopes and Carlos Tiago Alves, the mayor thanked the "excellent environmental valorization work" being carried out in the municipality's schools.
The director of the Vila Verde School Grouping, Alberto Rodrigues, also underlined the contribution of municipal services and the networked work with positive results for the municipality.
The hoisting of the Green Flag is a recognition of the work developed within the Eco-Schools Programme, an international environmental education initiative coordinated in Portugal by ABAAE. The program promotes the integration of sustainability into daily school life through actions on resources, waste, biodiversity, and environmental awareness.
Eco-Schools is a work methodology that encourages good environmental practices, active citizenship, and continuous improvement of schools' environmental performance, involving students, teachers, operational assistants, families, municipalities, and local partners. Implementation follows seven steps, including an environmental audit and an action plan, for the Green Flag award.
Schools can also participate in projects and campaigns on topics such as water, waste, energy, biodiversity, climate action, sustainable food, and circular economy. In Portugal, the Eco-Schools Programme is a network of environmental education contributing to the formation of more conscious citizens committed to the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030.
