In schoolyards across Georgia, from Tbilisi to Kvemo Chala, students are getting their hands dirty for a greener future. An innovative education initiative is shifting the focus to a resource we often overlook: the soil beneath our feet. By transforming school grounds into vibrant, hands-on learning hubs, the project is sowing the seeds of environmental awareness and practical action.
The project “Innovative Solutions in Education for Addressing Soil Degradation and Waste Management in Georgia”, implemented by Kona in partnership with the Czech organization Kokoza, is transforming environmental education by creating Green Laboratories—interactive learning spaces where ecological theory meets hands-on practice.
The initiative is supported through the Czech-UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals via the Czech Challenge Fund and financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
Learning from the Ground Up
Soil degradation, though less visible than pollution or deforestation, poses a severe threat to food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. To address this, the Green Laboratories project introduces practical ecological education into Georgian schools, combining Czech expertise in composting and community gardening with local knowledge and enthusiasm.
Each Green Laboratory features a wooden composter and will soon include raised-bed gardens, creating “living classrooms” where pupils and educators can explore the science of soil health, composting, and sustainable food systems. Through these spaces, environmental awareness becomes a tangible, daily experience rather than a distant concept.
Hands-On Education in Action
As part of the project’s third milestone, completed in July 2025, seven new Green Laboratories were established across Georgia, including in Kvemo Chala, Gori, Kaspi, and Tbilisi. Over 100 schoolchildren took part in practical composting workshops co-facilitated by university student tutors, bridging academic and community learning.
Each workshop introduced students to the life cycle of organic waste—how fruit peels, grass clippings, and food scraps can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that restores soil vitality. Playful tools such as waste-sorting cards, microbial plush toys, and story-based lessons made the learning experience accessible even for preschoolers.
Growing Local Capacity and Green Entrepreneurship
The project’s impact extends beyond the classroom, fostering local entrepreneurship and community resilience. Several composters were produced locally in Kvemo Chala by trained community members. This model paves the way for a social enterprise approach, allowing future composters to be made and sold within Georgia.
To extend the project’s reach, the team also developed a simple do-it-yourself wire mesh composter tutorial, enabling households and community gardens to join the composting movement using affordable, locally available materials.
Strengthening Collaboration and Expanding Reach
The project fosters close cooperation between educators, university students, and local communities, ensuring that Green Laboratories remain active learning hubs beyond their initial setup. Ongoing mentoring and collaboration help teachers integrate composting and gardening into the curriculum, strengthening environmental education at all levels.
In partnership with UNDP’s regional initiative “Greening the Future”, the project is also creating opportunities for replication. Plans are underway to expand Green Laboratories to other Georgian regions, engaging local schools, community initiatives, and vocational colleges.
Cultivating a Culture of Sustainability
As the project enters its next phase, the focus will shift to installing raised-bed gardens. Students will soon have the rewarding experience of planting seeds in the nutrient-rich compost they created themselves, completing a powerful cycle of growth and learning.
By connecting Czech know-how with Georgian passion and community spirit, the Green Laboratories initiative is cultivating not just healthier soils but also a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
