With the participation of 500 students from all levels of education, the “Carbon Farming Schools” program was completed in 10 schools of Western Macedonia, Megalopolis and Attica, with the support of PPC for the 2nd consecutive year. With the aim of experiential education in sustainable agriculture and nutrition, Open Farm and PPC collaborated to plan and implement local actions with a positive environmental and social footprint that simultaneously respond to global and European goals for the transition to sustainable development models.

As part of the “Carbon Farming Schools” program, students and teachers from Kozani, Florina, Megalopolis, Elefsina and Attica participated in informative activities. Open Farm’s specialist staff presented the aims of the programme, highlighting the importance of sustainable agriculture and nutrition, while through hands-on activities, participants learned the benefits of sustainable development, carbon farming and regenerative agriculture, as they planted more than 3,600 plants, enriched the soil with 16,000 liters (16 cubic meters) of compost and covered more than 1,500 sq.m. soil with straw to protect it instead of using chemical fertilizers.

With significant expertise in the design and implementation of experiential learning and non-formal education programs, Open Farm seeks to connect people in the city with rural producers and the process of food production. Through the Open Farm network, it records and highlights the “open”, visitable farms and agricultural products processing units, which are scattered in various corners of Greece. Through the planning and installation of Mediterranean, Agroecological school gardens and the development of experiential educational activities, conditions for interaction and cooperation between children with a common field, the garden that gives them food and knowledge, are simultaneously developed.

The Director of Sustainable Development of PPC Mr. Achilleas Ioakeimidis, said: “Sustainable Development starts with education and the “Carbon Farming Schools” program is an excellent example of how we can inspire new generations to adopt a more balanced way of eating and learn modern methods of regenerative agriculture, which minimize environmental pressures on the ground and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At PPC, we support actions that enhance environmental awareness and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are particularly happy to collaborate with innovative initiatives like that of Open Farm, which bring knowledge and experience closer to local communities, and we are committed to continue implementing corresponding actions in the direction of creating socio-economic shared value marked by social innovation and environmental protection ».

Operating responsibly for the benefit of the environment, society and the preservation of natural resources, PPC supports educational actions and initiatives with a positive sign towards nature with an emphasis on the areas in which it operates, within the framework of the sustainable development strategy. With a vision of transforming into an economically and environmentally sustainable, modern, digital company, the PPC group promotes the energy transition in Greece and the wider South-Eastern Europe, through strategic investments and partnerships in Renewable Energy Sources (RES), with the aim of creating shared value (CSV) for the Company, Society and the Environment.