Social and ecological – youth moves sustainably!

Winners of the ECO Prize Elbe-Weser have been announced

The award ceremony for the ECO Prize Elbe-Weser 2024 took place at the PFH Hansecampus Stade on August 22. Framed by a program with music, keynote speeches and a market of opportunities, five teams were awarded cash prizes, with the projects “Klima-Tonne”, “AirRain” and “IT-Brain” each receiving first prize. The “Amphibian Rescue” team received a special grant.
applications could be submitted until April of the current year and were assessed by a selected jury of experts in the winning categories “Environment, Social and Innovation”. There were attractive cash and non-cash prizes as well as valuable support and advice packages to be won.

The prizewinners – first places

First place in the “Environment” category went to a group of seven Year 6 pupils from Oberschule am Goldbach Langwedel, who impressed the judges with their “climate garbage can” to reduce plastic waste in the school playground . The proceeds from the garbage can will be donated to an organization that is committed to ridding the oceans of waste.

First place in the “Social” category went to the student company IT-Brain from BBS Cuxhaven, which offers training for senior citizens in the use of digital devices and thus promotes cross-generational social contacts.

First prize in the “Innovation” category went to the “AirRain” team from the vocational schools (BBS) in Cadenberge, which produces innovative rain jackets from used airbags.

Further awards

Eight pupils from grades 9-13 at Vincent-Lübeck-Gymnasium (Stade district) received one of the two second places for an artistic project: since March 2013, they have been developing a hidden object picture depicting people and buildings at their school. This contributes to a great sense of identification and community – especially as the hidden object picture is constantly being creatively developed.

The other second place went to four Year 10 pupils from Achim Grammar School, who are involved in a “Green Week” to promote healthier and more sustainable canteen food at their school (“Environment” category).

Class 8c at Lamstedt secondary school (OBS) received a special grant for their commitment to amphibian rescue: the pupils are committed to securing light wells at their school so that frogs no longer fall in.

Festive accompanying program

The event was framed by a “market of opportunities”, where the participants presented their projects at information stands. A particular highlight was the keynote speech by young entrepreneur and competition judge Jamina Zaugg, who produces sustainable pet food from insects with her own start-up company and motivated the young guests to consistently implement their own entrepreneurial goals. Musical accompaniment was provided by student Iris Leompescu from the Vincent-Lübeck-Gymnasium in Stade.