Ecoage mentors step into action

Participants of the Ecoage programme have stepped into action; mentoring children in sustainable practices and learning to make jewellery from recycled materials.
In a series of workshops on 18 and 22 May, the seniors have continued to build on their skills on mentorship and sustainable practices, as part of the Ecoage project, which aims to empower older adults to become environmental mentors to the younger generation. The activities were organised by the Association of Elderly Rights & Mental Health, in collaboration with the University of Kyrenia 60+ Refreshment University.
The first activity was an inter-generational lemonade making workshop, which took place at the Dr Suat Günsel Girne Primary School. Some 15 older adults and 46 children aged 8-9 first discussed the difference in the environmental impact of industrial and homemade lemonade, in a session facilitated by Ecoage Task Leader Şirin Özkaynak. Then the 60+ aged participants helped the youngsters to make fresh lemonade.
We thank Dr Suat Günsel Girne Primary School for their collaboration in this activity.
In the second event, in collaboration with the Cyprus Paper Artists Association (CPAA), almost 30 senior participants made jewellery from recycled items. Trainers from CPAA showed the participants different techniques in making beautiful necklaces and accessories from paper.  We thank the Cyprus Paper Artists Association for their support.
The mentors hope to build on their entrepreneurial skills by selling their items at a bazaar at the end of the year.

The Ecoage project is implemented by the Cyprus Youth Empowerment Foundation, University College for Green Development (HGUt), Norway, and the Association of Elderly Rights and Mental Health. Ecoage benefits from a grant under the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus programme, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021.