Across schools in Transnistria, a quiet transformation is underway. In classrooms and cafeterias, food scraps once destined for landfill are becoming lessons in sustainability.
The Zero-Bio-Waste at Schools project, piloted in Tiraspol by Czech NGO Kokoza and Moldovan NGO AO Vitality, is helping schools measure, manage, and reduce organic waste — laying the groundwork for a cleaner environment and greener communities. The initiative is part of the Czech-UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals and is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic through the Czech Challenge Fund.
A New Model for Biowaste Management
Organic waste makes up nearly half of Moldova’s municipal waste, yet most ends up in landfills. Schools, central to community life, are ideal starting points for change.
We asked AO Vitality why schools were chosen:
“We chose schools because educating young people about the environment is essential, as it promotes waste management and separate waste collection. Biowaste management in schools serves as a pilot project — a model for local administrations to implement larger, long-term initiatives for both local communities and entire districts. The model and technologies tested in schools have proven to be very effective.”
From Planning to Practice
Kokoza and AO Vitality developed training materials in English, Russian, and Romanian, including presentations, worksheets, and interactive games. Teachers attended workshops preparing for hands-on audits and composting, using a “learning-by-doing” approach.
We asked about reactions from teachers and students:
“Many students and teachers actively welcomed our project. Some schools on both the left and right banks offered to sign long-term contracts with our organization to hold joint events, which we now have. At the most recent event in Dorotskoye, attended by schoolchildren from both banks of the river — the Grigoriopol district (Left Bank, Transnistria) and the Dubăsari district (Security Zone) — there weren’t enough seats, and many participants had to stand. Interest exceeded our expectations, and no one left early, showing that the topic is highly relevant for young people and teachers.”
A recent monitoring visit to the Dorotskoye school highlighted how these ideas are coming to life. Teachers and students proudly presented their ongoing activities. Their enthusiasm showed how theory is turning into action, with sustainability lessons now part of everyday learning.
On-the-Ground Action
The next step is full implementation in schools, supported through a Training of Trainers (ToT) combining in-person and hybrid formats. Educators will gain hands-on experience in conducting audits, analyzing results, and managing composting systems.
We asked AO Vitality what they most look forward to as the pilot starts:
“We are counting on the strong interest and involvement of beneficiaries. To support this, we carefully prepare materials and information in advance to provide schools with as much relevant content as possible. A key part of the project is international cooperation with the Czech environmental organization KOKOZA, sharing experiences and training practices. Our materials, combined with extensive practical experience and research from our joint work since 2011, are of great interest to both students and teachers. Next year, we plan to expand the project to include even more schools from different regions of the Republic of Moldova, building on the resources developed in this pilot.”
Impact and Collaboration
Beyond individual schools, the project aims to generate evidence to inform national waste policy. Data from audits will feed into recommendations for scaling biowaste separation and composting at institutional and municipal levels, supporting Moldova’s Waste Management Plan 2023–2027.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, participating schools will conduct the first official biowaste audits, producing Moldova’s earliest data on school-based organic waste. These findings will help design composting systems adapted to local conditions, turning what was once waste into a resource for gardens, green spaces, and learning.
Through the Challenge Fund and Expertise on Demand, the Czech-UNDP Partnership for SDGs brings innovative solutions from the Czech Republic’s private sector, NGOs, universities, state institutions, research centres and individuals to tackle specific developmental challenges in the priority countries. The implementation of projects and expertise is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
