About the project
The SHARED GREEN DEAL project is a collaboration between 22 leading organisations across the EU, including eight universities, three research institutions, eight network organisations and three SMEs. The project aimed to encourage shared action on the eight European Green Deal priorities (clean energy, circular economy, efficient renovations, sustainable food, sustainable mobility, preserving biodiversity, climate action, and zero pollution). The project used tools in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) at the local and regional level to stimulate behavioural, social and cultural change across Europe, aligned with EU Green Deal policy priorities. The project conducted social experiments focused on the following six of the eight priority Green Deal topics: energy, circular economy, renovations, mobility, food, and biodiversity.
Description of success
SHARED GREEN DEAL put out a call for local partners to conduct social experiments in European cities. One of those selected was Lithuanian Environmental Center for Administration and Technology (ECAT) in Panevėžys, Lithuania. Supported by SHARED GREEN DEAL, ECAT focuses on engaging school communities to promote sustainable mobility and reduce car dependency for school commutes. The initiative is part of a broader European effort to develop co-creative solutions that align with the EU's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) framework. Through interactive workshops and collaborative activities, the project empowers students, parents, and teachers to take an active role in shaping school travel policies, supporting a shift toward sustainable transport options. ECAT led a successful local experiment, engaging school communities in Panevėžys to design and implement sustainable school mobility solutions.
A series of "mobility labs" involved over 30 students, parents, and teachers in activities like walk audits, route mapping, and creative games. These interactive sessions resulted in the creation of school travel plans for three schools, providing actionable steps to improve school journeys. The experiment also influenced city-level policy by contributing recommendations for Panevėžys' SUMP ensuring that young people's mobility needs are prioritised in future transport planning.
Highlights
Over 30 students, parents, and teachers participated in workshops to co-create solutions for safer and more sustainable school commutes.
Developed actionable travel plans for three schools, supported by educational toolkits and city-level policy recommendations.
Used activities like walk audits, mapping exercises, and the “Let’s Grow the Sustainable Trips Tree” game to inspire engagement and participation.
Produced recommendations to enhance Panevėžys' SUMP with child-friendly transport measures.
Demonstrated the effectiveness of participatory approaches, paving the way for other schools in Panevėžys to replicate the initiative
Outputs
The collaboration between SHARED GREEN DEAL and ECAT resulted in the following key outputs:
Three comprehensive School Travel Plans (STPs) to meet local schools’ mobility needs.
An Educational toolkit that includes educational materials and activities designed to support schools in promoting sustainable transport.
Development of playful interactive tools and games such as the “Let’s Grow the Sustainable Trips Tree” game, which encourages children to think about making their journeys to school greener and safer. The game can be reused by other schools.
Policy recommendations have been made to the Panevėžys Municipality on how to update its SUMP to support sustainable school mobility, promoting active transport and better safety measures for students.
The final conference was held and included a presentation of results to stakeholders, including, students, teachers, municipal officials, public health experts, police, and representatives from other schools.
Research insights have been gathered, including qualitative data from 10 stakeholder interviews (students, parents, and teachers) on the impact of the experiment and potential for future improvements.
Impact
The SHARED GREEN DEAL initiative in Panevėžys has inspired behavioural changes within school communities, with students, parents, and teachers adopting sustainable transport practices. The project empowered students to actively shape local transport solutions, enhancing civic participation and responsibility. Concrete recommendations from the initiative serve as a valuable way to draw politicians' attention to the fact that young people want to live in a clean and safe environment and are ready to contribute to creating it. The tools, guidelines, and educational resources developed through this initiative are being leveraged to encourage similar efforts in other schools, broadening the project's impact.
Lessons
Children are influential actors in shaping the attitudes and behaviours of their families and communities. Providing them with participatory opportunities can spark change at home and in the wider community.
Playful, creative methods and interactive activities, such as games and mapping exercises, keep children engaged while fostering active participation and creative problem-solving.
Collaborative processes that involve students, parents, and teachers ensure more holistic, community-driven solutions, increasing the likelihood of local buy-in.
Embedding sustainable transport within school culture - through STPs and ongoing educational activities - could help ensure that behavioural change is sustained over time.
Other information
