Articles

On 23 September 2026, the ECOIn.Lub project successfully held its 3rd International Webinar, hosted by Zeynep Mehmet Dönmez Tourism Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Türkiye. The online event brought together VET learners, teachers, project partners and representatives of the hospitality sector from Türkiye, Portugal, Finland, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.

Focused on environmental sustainability and green practices in vocational education and hospitality, the webinar aimed to connect sustainability concepts with everyday practices and future workplaces. Through examples from both the host VET school and the hospitality industry, participants explored how environmental responsibility can move beyond theory and become part of daily educational and professional activities.    

From Sustainability Education to Everyday Practice

An important part of the webinar focused on how sustainability is already being integrated into the daily activities of the Turkish partner school. Participants learned about practices related to waste reduction, resource reuse, recycling and responsible management of food surplus, as well as the implementation of Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project within educational institutions.  

Through examples such as the collection and recycling of used textbooks and paper, learners were able to see the principles of the circular economy in a practical context: using resources responsibly, separating materials correctly and giving them a second life rather than treating them simply as waste.  

Green Hospitality in Practice

The webinar then connected these educational practices with the professional world through examples from the hospitality sector. Participants explored how sustainability can be incorporated into the operations of a large resort, covering areas such as food management, waste separation, water efficiency, renewable energy, purchasing, housekeeping, technical services and staff training.  

Particular attention was given to food-waste prevention through better planning and preparation, alongside the importance of separating recyclable and other waste at the point where it is generated. The session also demonstrated how water and energy monitoring, efficient equipment, renewable energy and employee awareness can contribute to more sustainable hospitality operations.  

These real-world examples are especially relevant for VET learners preparing to enter the labour market. Students undertaking hospitality placements receive orientation not only on their professional duties but also on resource conservation, recycling and sustainable working practices, reinforcing the connection between vocational skills and environmental responsibility.  

Giving VET Learners a Voice

Interaction with learners was a central part of the webinar. Participants were invited to identify the environmental sustainability issues they consider most important in their everyday lives. A total of 46 responses were collected, covering themes including reuse, food waste, repair, recycling, energy waste, water waste and sustainable transport.    

The results provided an interesting picture of young people’s sustainability priorities. Reusing was the most frequently identified issue, representing 45.7% of responses, followed by food waste at 26.1% and repairing at 10.9%. The responses demonstrated that learners view sustainability broadly, considering not only recycling but also extending product life, responsible consumption, conserving resources and sustainable mobility.    

Connecting Learners Across Europe

The webinar achieved significant international participation, with 78 Zoom connections and an estimated reach of more than 120 VET learners and educators. As several schools joined collectively from classrooms and shared spaces, the number of beneficiaries was considerably higher than the number of individual online connections.

By bringing learners and educators from five European countries into the same learning environment, the activity created an opportunity to exchange perspectives, share practical experiences and strengthen cooperation across the ECOIn.Lub partnership.    

Turning Knowledge into Sustainable Action

The 3rd ECOIn.Lub International Webinar represented another important step in the project’s work to strengthen green skills, environmental awareness and innovative learning within VET. It demonstrated how sustainability education can become more meaningful when learners can connect classroom knowledge with concrete practices from schools, businesses and future workplaces.

Through international exchange and active student participation, the webinar contributed to increasing environmental awareness, connecting sustainability with professional life, encouraging learners to express their own perspectives and strengthening collaboration among students, educators and project partners across Europe.    

ECOIn.Lub continues to bring education, sustainability and innovation together—empowering VET learners to become active contributors to a greener, more circular and more sustainable future.