For the ninth consecutive year, the Municipality of Arganil has been awarded the 100% Eco-Schools prize, reinforcing its commitment to environmental education. This achievement acknowledges the full implementation of the international Eco-Schools program, promoted by the Foundation for Environmental Education and developed in Portugal by the Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação (ABAAE), resulting in nine awards corresponding to the nine educational establishments in the municipality.
With this distinction, Arganil joins the exclusive group of three municipalities in the Coimbra district with a 100% program implementation rate, and is also among the 26 municipalities nationwide to reach this result.
The award ceremony took place on October 8th in Sintra, as part of the Green Flags Day – Eco-Schools Award. In addition to the recognition for full program implementation, several submitted projects were also awarded, including three first prizes: to the Jardim de Infância/Escola Básica de Arganil for the Geração Verdão – Brigada Verdão initiative; to the Escola EB 2,3 Professor Mendes Ferrão for the Desafios UHU – Collage de um Animal Nativo Português 2.º Escalão; and to the Escola Básica 2,3 de Arganil for the activity Ilustrar para Reflorestar – Desafio Faber-Castell – 2.º Escalão.
Furthermore, the Jardim de Infância/Escola Básica de Arganil received a 2nd and a 3rd prize for work carried out under the Geração Depositrão – em Busca do REEE Perdido and Alimentação Saudável e Sustentável – Jogos da Dieta Mediterrânica – 1º Escalão, respectively. The Escola EB 2,3 Professor Mendes Ferrão secured a 3rd place for work developed within the Hino Eco-Escolas initiative. Both establishments also received other honorable mentions.
This recognition once again reflects the work developed by the municipality's educational establishments in promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness for environmental preservation, in line with the Eco-Schools program's objectives, which aim to educate the school community and empower young people to take an active role in changing behaviors and building a more sustainable future.
