The main objective of the 'Ecojovens' project is to "contribute to the valorization of the human capital of Angolan youth, especially women and girls, promoting their active involvement in increasing public policies and employability through the promotion of sustainable development focused on action climate and environmental protection", began by telling José Manuel Ribeiro, president of the Board of Directors of Lipor, in an interview with VerAngola.
Thus, he added: "Preparing future leaders, boosting entrepreneurship and creating a vision of sustainability, circular economy, business and value creation are major challenges to which the project responds".
Regarding the role played by Lipor in this project, the person responsible clarified that, for half a year, the Portuguese company provided technical assistance to the project in the provinces of Luanda and Benguela, "by carrying out nine training sessions".
According to him, "four major actions were worked on by six international consultants and trainers", with 157 trainees, mainly young Angolans, participating, working with and meeting "highly qualified and experienced Portuguese waste management specialists who, through pedagogical methodologies, transmitted their know-how and broadened the horizons of the target audience".
He also considered it to be "an excellent contribution to the development of Angola", with a focus on "climate action and environmental protection".
"We consider that this project is fundamental to promoting the democratization of education and the other necessary conditions so that education, whether provided by school or other educational means, contributes to gender equality, equal opportunities, overcoming of economic, social and cultural inequalities, the development of personality and the spirit of tolerance, solidarity and responsibility and to facilitate social progress and democratic participation in life in society", he stated.
The person responsible, in an interview with VerAngola, explained that the aforementioned project is aligned with Objective 11 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to "make cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable".
Thus, among other aspects, he said that it is essential "to develop projects like this that contribute to the valorization of the human capital of Angolan youth, especially women and girls, promoting their active involvement in increasing public policies and employability through the promotion of sustainable development focused on climate action and environmental protection", adding that it is a "transversal, innovative and entrepreneurial project, encouraging society to be ecological, entrepreneurial and socially sustainable".
So, how did Lipor's involvement in this project come about? José Manuel Ribeiro said it was born from "an invitation" by the Salesianos de Dom Bosco Angola to present "a proposal that corresponded to the objectives" of the project.
"As this is a project with which we identify, as it also aims to promote sustainable development focused on climate action and environmental protection, we immediately accepted the challenge", he added.
In the project, Lipor involved six international consultants/trainers, as well as a project manager and a coordinator.
Regarding future plans to carry out more sessions, the person in charge said that if the challenge arises they will accept: "If we are challenged by the Salesianos de Dom Bosco Angola, we will be happy to continue the project".
"The feedback we have had, both from the client and from the trainees, is extraordinary. The delivery of the trainees was exceptional. They took it well and realized that this is a unique opportunity for their development and professional evolution. It is important to mention that many business ideas emerged and there was a sense of desire and dynamism to implement what they learned into actions and business. The follow-up of the sessions will reveal the operationalization of the knowledge acquired", he added.
He also gave a positive assessment of the initiative, stating that the "active and enthusiastic participation of promoters and trainees was fundamental to the success" of the project.
"We faced predictable challenges, but also many unforeseen events throughout the project. However, the proactive approach in identifying and managing these challenges allowed us to overcome obstacles and adjust strategies according to needs", he indicated, also considering that the training process is "a added value for trainees", as well as "a valuable opportunity for growth and knowledge" for the company.
Among other aspects, the person responsible told VerAngola that the "sustainability of the project goes beyond its completion. Participants are now better prepared to integrate sustainable practices into their daily lives in their communities, promoting a positive impact in the medium and long term".
"When evaluating the impact of the project, we observed tangible changes in participants' environmental behavior, as well as positive contributions to the community. These results reinforce the importance of investing in educational initiatives to promote a culture of environmental and social sustainability. In conclusion, the final balance reflects not only the success of the project, but also the continued commitment to the principles of sustainability. This project will serve as an inspiring model for future initiatives that aim to promote awareness and action towards environmental sustainability as a whole", he added.
It should be noted that professional training scholarships are the responsibility of the Salesianos de Dom Bosco Angola.
