Sustainability Prize 2025: Young talents are committed to the environment!

Sustainability Prize 2025: Young talents are committed to the environment!

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Deutschland - The Stadtjugendring Schwäbisch Gmünd e.V. once again rewarded the best ideas of committed young people on June 26, 2025. The sustainability award was awarded for the fourth time to promote awareness of the environment and sustainability among young people in the region. 17 groups from kindergartens, schools and youth groups took part in this inspiring competition. The event took place in the Gmünder Volkshochschule and was accompanied by a musical start of the talented guitarist Emilia Büttner.

The Kindergarten Pfiffikus, the Pestalozzi School SBBZ, were one of the institutions involved, and the technical high school. The 17 projects were divided into four age groups: from the smallest in kindergarten age to older young people in classes 10 to 13. The variety of approaches is reflected in the topics that ranged from waste prevention to sustainable nutrition to educational work on climate change.

vivid commitment and variety of ideas

The applications were divided into the following age groups:

• Kindergarten age: 2 applications, both groups received the 2nd place.
• 1.-5. Class: 3 applications, places 1 to 3 assigned.
• 6.-9. Class: 5 applications, 1st place, 2 second places, 1 third place, as well as 1 certificate of participation.
• 10.-13. Class/vocational school: 3 prices (1st - 3rd place) and 4 participation documents.

The jury, consisting of members of the world shop, BUND and NABU, gave exciting insights into the evaluation process of the projects. Among the jurors were Astrid Wassenberg, Sabine Braun, Ingrid Groer, Wolfram Betz and Debora Thie from the Office for Sustainability, Climate Protection and Citizens' Participation. The entire event emphasized the commitment of the participants to actively integrate sustainability into their everyday life and thus to have a positive impact on the environment.

climate formation as the key to the future

The important aspect of climate formation must not go unmentioned. Teachers have the task of conveying skills and knowledge for a sustainable society. Informative projects that deal with topics such as orchards and renewable energies can be implemented directly in class and offer practical tasks. In this way, pupils learn to reflect on the effects of climate change and to develop their own options for action. These ideas are also the focus of many sustainable education initiatives, such as those in the book about interdisciplinary climate and environmental projects, which supports teachers to make the lessons alive and relevant jpc.de reported.

With increasing awareness of climate change, the need to increasingly integrate climate formation into the curricula. A study of 2021 to anchor climate formation in the German educational plans shows that while all federal states cover thematic subcategories, the feasibility and focus on climate formation vary greatly environmental-im-unchtricht.de emphasizes the need to promote this area more.

All in all, it is clear: the commitment of young people and the effort for sustainable education are two crucial steps for a better future. The 2025 sustainability price is not only an award, but also an incentive for everyone who wants to work for environmental and climate protection and want to become a solid voice in society. It remains exciting which creative approaches will be presented next year!