The consortium of the “Digital Inclusion VET” project is highly driven by the current environmental crisis. It has recognized the need to integrate green practices throughout the project’s different stages and contribute to the minimization of the environmental footprint. The project aims to improve Vocational Education and Training services to allow the reintegration into the system of unemployed people with deficiencies in digital skills who needs to adapt to Industry 4.0. Alongside this core objective, the project also emphasizes the importance of promoting environmental protection and address climate-related challenges at every stage of implementation.

Within the context of the project, the consortium has identified specific green practices that will be implemented to align with the objectives of the European Green Deal and address environmental concerns. These practices include:

  • Sustainable Products: During events and meetings necessitating physical presence, emphasis will be placed on utilizing sustainable products. Consortium members will avoid the use of single-use plastic items and instead opt for environmentally friendly alternatives that minimize harm to the environment.
  • Office Sustainability: Throughout the project’s execution, sustainable and recyclable office supplies will be employed. Printing materials will be reserved for essential purposes only, with a commitment to using recyclable papers and inks. Recycling protocols will be instituted to ensure proper disposal of materials. Furthermore, the consortium will actively promote the adoption of digital formats for materials to reduce paper consumption.
  • Green Travel: For transnational project meetings or events requiring travel, the consortium will prioritize environmentally-conscious travel methods. Partners will opt for bus, train, or car travel for shorter distances, as these modes emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to air travel. When long-distance travel is inevitable, flights with the lowest carbon footprint will be selected.

1. Sustainable Event and Meeting Practices

“Digital Inclusion VET” recognizes the importance of implementing sustainable practices during events and meetings to minimize environmental impact. By adopting sustainable event and meeting practices, the consortium aims to reduce waste generation, promote resource efficiency, and create a positive environmental footprint.

Consider the following guidelines and practices for sustainable events and meetings:

  • Sustainable Materials: Incorporate sustainable materials throughout event planning and execution. Eschew the use of single-use plastic items like bottles, cups, and cutlery, and instead, opt for reusable or compostable alternatives. Encourage attendees and partners to bring their reusable water bottles and ensure water refill stations are available.
  • Waste Management: Employ efficient waste management strategies during events and meetings. Establish clearly labelled recycling bins for various waste categories, including paper, plastic, glass, and food waste. Ensure proper waste sorting and disposal by collaborating with waste management services or local recycling facilities.
  • Paperless Operations: Embrace digital practices to reduce paper consumption. Promote electronic registration and communication to minimize reliance on printed materials. Offer digital versions of event agendas, presentations, and promotional materials. Utilize online collaboration tools for document sharing and communication among event participants.
  • Sustainable Catering: Opt for catering services prioritizing sustainability. Select locally sourced, seasonal, and organic food options to support local producers and decrease the carbon footprint linked with long-distance transportation. Reduce food waste by accurately estimating attendee numbers and offering options for leftovers to be donated or composted.
  • Energy Efficiency: Introduce energy-efficient measures during events and meetings. Utilize energy-saving lighting, such as LED bulbs, and maximize natural lighting where feasible. Set temperature controls for energy conservation and ensure appropriate ventilation. Power down equipment and lighting when not in use.
  • Transportation: Promote sustainable transportation choices for event attendees and staff. Encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, or cycling to diminish carbon emissions from individual vehicles. Provide information on public transportation routes and options for attendees. Consider organizing shuttle services employing low-emission vehicles if necessary.
  • Evaluation and Improvement: Conduct post-event evaluations to evaluate the efficacy of sustainable practices and pinpoint areas for enhancement. Gather feedback from attendees, partners, and staff to garner insights and recommendations for future events. Continuously strive to refine sustainable event practices based on lessons learned.


2. Sustainable Office Practices

The consortium recognizes the importance of implementing sustainable practices within office environments to minimize the project’s environmental impact. By adopting sustainable office practices, the consortium aims to reduce resource consumption, promote waste reduction, and create a more environmentally friendly workspace.

Consider the following guidelines and practices for sustainable office operations:

  • Sustainable Procurement: Give priority to office supplies and equipment that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Select items made from recycled materials or those with minimal environmental impact throughout their life cycle. 
  • Paper Reduction: Aim to decrease paper usage in the office. Promote digital communication and document sharing through emails, cloud storage, and collaboration tools. Adjust default printer settings to enable double-sided printing and advocate for the use of electronic signatures over paper-based documents. 
  • Energy Efficiency: Optimize energy consumption in the office to lower carbon emissions and energy expenses. Encourage employees to power off computers, monitors, and other electronic devices when not in use. 
  • Telecommuting and Virtual Meetings: Promote telecommuting and remote work options whenever possible. Remote work diminishes carbon emissions associated with commuting and reduces energy consumption. Utilize virtual meeting platforms to minimize the necessity for unnecessary travel. When physical meetings are unavoidable, consider carpooling or utilizing public transportation alternatives.

3. Sustainable Travel

The project partners recognize the significant impact of travel on greenhouse gas emissions and the environment. By implementing sustainable travel practices, the consortium aims to minimize carbon footprints associated with project-related travel and promote environmentally friendly transportation options.

Consider the following guidelines and practices for sustainable travel:

  • Travel Planning: Encourage partners and participants to assess the necessity of travel and explore alternative options before finalizing travel arrangements. Whenever feasible, prioritize virtual meetings, webinars, and teleconferences to minimize the requirement for physical travel.
  • Mode of Transportation: When physical travel is unavoidable, prioritize low-emission modes of transportation. Promote the use of public transportation, such as buses and trains, for short to medium-distance travel as these options have a smaller carbon footprint compared to individual car usage.
  • Carpooling and Shared Transportation: Encourage employees, partners, and participants to carpool or utilize shared transportation whenever possible. Facilitate and organize carpooling arrangements among participants to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. 
  • Sustainable Flight Options: For long-distance travel necessitating air travel, choose airlines that have strong commitments to sustainability and lower carbon emissions. 
  • Efficient Routing: Optimize travel routes to minimize distances and transit times. Plan itineraries that reduce layovers and unnecessary stopovers, thereby lowering fuel consumption and emissions. Encourage participants to opt for direct flights whenever feasible.
  • Accommodation Selection: Give preference to accommodations that demonstrate sustainable practices. Seek hotels and lodging options with green certifications or those that prioritize energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation. 

4. Partner Compliance 

The compliance of partners with green practices and sustainability is of crucial importance throughout the implementation of the project. By integrating the proposed sustainable guidelines into the project management, the consortium ensures that all partners actively contribute to the project’s environmental goals. Therefore, all partners are expected to show commitment to the sustainability guidelines and support the implementation of green practices. They are expected to prioritize the use of materials and equipment that are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and made from recycled materials. 

Additionally, they need to adopt waste management practices that minimize waste generation and promote recycling as well as optimize energy use within their operations. Apart from prioritizing sustainable transportation options, partners are expected to exchange experience and knowledge on sustainable practices and continually improve their efforts towards sustainability.