Save The Med Launches 4th Edition Of The Changemakers Project

Save The Med Foundation is pleased to launch “The Changemakers Project” for the fourth year in a row. The NGO  has announced that the programme has also expanded, inviting students from all over the Balearic Islands to participate. The expansion was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Fundación Jesús Serra, who sponsors the project.

The objective? To create a project that reduces the use of single-use plastics, a well-known environmental issue which has devastating impacts on marine wildlife, as well as human health. To participate, students must be:

• Aged 15 - 18 (or turning 15 by 31st December 2021)

• Attend school in the Balearic Islands

• Form a team of three classmates

Over the years, the voices and actions of Changemaker students have created amazing results – reducing plastic consumption in schools and communities all across Mallorca. Hundreds of students have demonstrated how much they care for the environment, and how passionate they are about a plastic-free future and a healthy Mediterranean Sea.

This project is not just a welcome change from the pandemic, but a unique opportunity. Marilen Gelabert, a teacher at Aula Balear, says: “On this project, students learn valuable curriculum skills and abilities, first and foremost: teamwork. Taking initiative, independence, project development and all the awareness and values that are imparted while working on an environmental issue.”

That’s why Save The Med is thinking bigger this year, offering rewards for the five teams that present the most impactful projects, who will join the NGO for marine science expeditions at sea, onboard the research vessel Toftevaag and the solar powered boat Stenella. Furthermore, their classes will be offered cash prizes to be used towards environmental projects during the next school year.

And it doesn’t end there. Every single participating team and teacher will be invited to join the Changemakers Exhibition - an event where students can attend inspiring talks, science workshops and exhibit their projects to visitors and experts. This event format will of course be in keeping with the current COVID-19 regulations.

Previous projects have included everything from producing songs and videos to raise awareness, to developing video games, websites, campaigns and most important of all: projects that help to eliminate single-use plastic items from our everyday lives.

To all students out there: find your team and join the action! Participation is completely free and teams can sign-up online at: www.changemakersatsea.com The deadline to submit projects is 3rd May 2021.

Special thanks to Fundación Jesús Serra for funding the Changemakers Project in 2020 and 2021, and to Ocean Family Foundation, European Outdoor Conservation Association, OceanCare, La Caixa Bank via Fundación La Caixa and our Corporate Partners who all contribute to the co-funding of the education and awareness programmes.