On 11 November 2025, the National Conference of the GREEN TALES project, gathering 83 participants, including future teachers, representatives of civil society organisations, experts and educators.
Organised by the European Fairy Tales Route Association (EFTR) and hosted by Roma Tre University, the event focused on showcasing the project’s achievements and exploring its long-term potential. At the heart of the conference was the presentation of the final movie and the creative works developed by primary-school children across partner countries—Spain, Germany, Iceland, and Turkey. The stories created by the children inspired by the four elements of nature embody the project’s innovative integration of art, digital creativity and environmental education.
A Focus on Pedagogy, Sustainability and Inclusion
Speakers such as Professor Anna Aluffi Pentini (Roma Tre University) and Marina D’Amato (EFTR President) opened the event with institutional reflections on the educational value of storytelling. Bianca Rubino (IYMF and Project Coordinator) presented the project’s methodology, goals and results, highlighting how storytelling can foster both environmental awareness and social inclusion among young learners.
Through a blend of presentations and discussions, the conference showcased how GREEN TALES supports teachers by providing ready-to-use tales, videos and classroom resources aimed at promoting environmental awareness and creativity.
A lively roundtable involving civil-society organisations, educators and experts explored the challenges faced during the project, such as:
- Maintaining sustained engagement with young learners across diverse contexts
- Embedding environmental education deeply into school curricula
- Ensuring long-term use of project resources beyond the funding period
- Replicating the approach in other educational settings, including adult learning
These reflections opened the door to collaborations and highlighted the importance of continuity for long-term impact.
Participants identified several actions for future development:
- Expanding the GREEN TALES project to reach more schools across Europe
- Employing the approach as a motivational tool for future teachers
- Strengthening local and international partnerships with schools, NGOs and local authorities
- Documenting the long-term impact on children’s attitudes and behaviours toward nature
These perspectives reaffirm the project’s potential to inspire a new generation of environmentally engaged and creative citizens.
Engaged Participants and Positive Feedback
Most attendees were future teachers enrolled at Roma Tre University, joined by representatives of civil-society organisations, educational experts and a journalist. Their feedback highlighted the conference’s effectiveness in demonstrating how environmental themes can be naturally woven into primary education through artistic and narrative approaches. Many participants reported leaving with practical tools and renewed motivation to integrate sustainability topics into their future teaching practice. Participants from civil society organizations, including Paola Toniolo (Rete Scuola Migranti) and Adriana Gulotta (Comunità di Sant’Egidio), expressed strong interest in replicating the GREEN TALES approach who proposed extending the method even to adult education, particularly for migrants.
A Step Forward for Environmental Education in Europe
The GREEN TALES National Conference in Rome not only celebrated the project’s achievements but also strengthened a network of educators and organisations committed to innovative, inclusive and sustainable education. By blending creativity, digital tools and environmental awareness, GREEN TALES continues to inspire pathways for meaningful learning—both inside and beyond the classroom.
