Articles

ECOINLUB’s First Training in Lahti:
Empowering Educators and Advancing Sustainable Learning

From March 24 to 27, 2025, the city of Lahti, Finland hosted the first international training event of the ECOINLUB project, bringing together a diverse group of educators, project partners, and sustainability advocates. The training marked a significant milestone in ECOINLUB’s mission to promote inclusive, innovative, and eco-conscious learning environments across Europe.

The event was held at Salpaus Further Education, whose team warmly welcomed participants from multiple countries. The training agenda blended theoretical insights with hands-on workshops, offering a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Fostering Innovation Through Collaboration

A central highlight of the training was the use of the World Café method, a dynamic and participatory approach designed to stimulate open dialogue and creative thinking. Participants worked together to tackle three key themes at the core of ECOINLUB’s mission:

• Circular Economy
• Eco-Entrepreneurship
• Social Entrepreneurship

Through structured discussions and brainstorming sessions, attendees explored effective teaching strategies and started designing digital educational resources, including concepts for interactive and simulation games. These tools will be developed further to engage vocational education learners in understanding sustainability challenges and becoming active problem-solvers in their own communities.

Learning from Local Innovation

The training also connected participants with Lahti’s thriving sustainability sector. Site visit to Patina Recycling Centre offered valuable, real-world perspectives on how circular economy principles are successfully applied in industry.

These experiences provided a practical backdrop to the theoretical discussions, helping participants see how educational strategies can align with real business practices and community initiatives.

Showcasing Innovative Educational ApproachesIn addition to the workshops and company visits, participants learned about innovative pedagogical methods that inspire entrepreneurship and social responsibility among learners. The Junior Achievement programme and DILA Social Entrepreneurship initiative, both presented by Salpaus, demonstrated how education can be a powerful driver for equipping young people with the skills to create positive environmental and social change.

Building a Sustainable Learning Community

The training concluded with a group discussion to reflect on the ideas generated, assess outcomes, and plan future steps. A closing ceremony celebrated the collaborative spirit of the training and recognized the efforts of all participants with certificates of completion.

Throughout the four days, the training not only deepened knowledge and inspired creativity but also strengthened international partnerships and fostered a sense of shared purpose. By combining digital innovation, eco-conscious thinking, and inclusive educational practices, the ECOINLUB project is taking concrete steps toward shaping the future of vocational education.

Looking Ahead

The insights and outputs from the Lahti training will directly inform the development of ECOINLUB’s educational resources and serve as a model for future training events. As the project continues, the commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and sustainability in education will remain at its core.

Together, we are empowering learners and educators to drive positive change and build a sustainable future.