The Auchan Generation Charitable Foundation, in partnership with EcoTechnologies, organized an online educational eco-marathon called "Saving the Planet Together! The goal was to promote the formation of environmental habits and environmental awareness among children from orphanages. 53 institutions from 39 Russian cities — a total of 1436 children — participated in the Ecomarathon.
The Auchan Generation Foundation of Auchan Retail Russia wanted to create an educational product that would present environmental problems and solutions in an interesting format for children and young people.
The Eco-education team at EcoTechnologies developed six interactive lessons. Each lesson consisted of three parts: a video overview of an environmental problem, a classroom experiment, and individual and team homework. Theme kits for the experiments were sent to the orphanages in advance, including a plastic bottle and the flakes that result from recycling the bottle cap. At the end of the Eco-marathon, participants were given a quiz to test their knowledge.
The Eco-education team at EcoTechnologies developed six interactive lessons. Each lesson consisted of three parts: a video overview of an environmental problem, a classroom experiment, and individual and team homework. Theme kits for the experiments were sent to the orphanages in advance, including a plastic bottle and the flakes that result from recycling the bottle cap. At the end of the Eco-marathon, participants were given a quiz to test their knowledge.
"The activities of the Auchan Generation Charitable Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of life of children and people in difficult situations, are part of Auchan Retail Russia’s sustainable development strategy. We focus on healthy eating, conscious consumption, environmental culture and inclusion. As part of its ESG strategy, Auchan is also fighting plastic pollution. In 2023, the company recycled 37,538.95 tons of waste from its stores, and 80% of Auchan products are sold in recyclable plastic. Through the Foundation’s activities, we communicate serious issues in an accessible way and the importance of respecting the environment and sustainable consumption of resources. It is great that so many children from different parts of the country have joined our mission," commented Yulia Trubitsyna, Director of the Auchan Generation Charitable Foundation.
The eco-lessons took the form of a detective investigation. The EcoTechnologies expert was a detective and the children played the role of assistants, helping to solve environmental crimes. The teacher acted as a supervisor and received methodological recommendations in advance. Characters were invented and drawn for the course, which helped to create a concise and entertaining narrative.
Nina Ilyina, sustainability and environmental education expert at EcoTechnologies: "The younger the generations are, the more environmental problems they will face. Since children from orphanages feel less secure in this world, they can be more affected by the fear of its imbalance. Therefore, during the marathon, we taught the children not only about environmental problems, but also about the solutions they can be a part of. We believe that with this knowledge they will go into the adult world and realize that complexity is important to break down and explore".
Separate waste collection, water pollution, noise and light pollution were the main topics that were explored through video viewing, discussion and hands-on classroom work, and creative after-school activities. Children drew eco-posters, composed poems and made videos. The most colorful works were published on the BF page "Generation Auchan" in VKontakte.
The eco-marathon "Save the planet together!" lasted for six weeks in the spring of 2024. Children put their knowledge into practice, understood the causes, consequences and possible solutions to environmental problems. They learned how to sort waste, keep water bodies clean, and assess the impact of noise and light pollution on nature.
The eco-marathon "Save the planet together!" lasted for six weeks in the spring of 2024. Children put their knowledge into practice, understood the causes, consequences and possible solutions to environmental problems. They learned how to sort waste, keep water bodies clean, and assess the impact of noise and light pollution on nature.
