The Starachowice Municipality is launching a new project in September. “Eco-Budget” will be delivered as part of the “Direction Future – Starachowice Local Development Plan”, funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the Years 2014-2021 (85%) and state budget (15%), from the “Local Development” Programme implemented by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

An amount of PLN 42,000.00 will be allocated to the delivery of environmental endeavours, PLN 5,250.00 per each of the eight participating schools.

“We are launching a yet another interesting initiative scheduled as part of the ‘Direction Future – Starachowice Local Development Plan’. This time, the Green Participatory Budget will address eight primary schools in town. We have allocated an amount of PLN 42,000.00 to the purpose, over PLN 5.000.00 per school, all to back projects submitted by our schoolchildren. The project-related financial model has been designed by the pupils themselves, the Municipal Youth Council having joined consultation works. Council members are active on a number of levels, helping shape the reality and operations of youth policies”, mayor of Starachowice Marek Materek outlined the project’s key concepts.

Eco-Budget is an endeavour intended to boost primary school pupils’ engagement in school space management and environmental education-related processes and enhance civic activity in the primary school community. The Starachowice Municipality is the overseeing authority for primary schools. The first Eco-Budget edition has been scheduled for all eight schools for the period of September 2023 until April 2024.

Primary school pupils may submit projects for the purchase of equipment and school space accessories, investment projects (e.g. small-scale renovation), and assorted initiatives (such as workshops, training sessions, events, picnics, competitions, festivals, etc). All projects have to reference environmental protection.