Our floor: Just dirt?!

Together with Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck, the city of Jena is awarding the 7th Children & Youth Environmental Prize. This year, the focus is on something that is constantly trampled underfoot but is just as vital as water and air: soil.

Under the motto "Our soil: just dirt?", the aim is to show that soil is not just something we walk on - soil is more: a habitat, the basis for our food, a water filter and reservoir and it influences the climate. Reason enough to take a closer look at it and explore it.

Content of the competition

The prize encourages children and young people to engage with the topic of soil and its many important functions that need to be protected and preserved - and to get active with projects.

Here are a few suggestions

For the little ones:

• What animals live in the soil? Have you ever observed them closely? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a compost heap at your school, kindergarten or home? Many little helpers work wonders there: they turn green waste into valuable garden soil. Who lives there? How long does it take for the waste to be transformed? Have you observed this? Tell us about it, we are curious. If you don't have compost, maybe you could start one?
• Examine the soil in the forest, in the field or in the garden. Are there any differences? Who lives where and why?

Tell us about your discoveries and experiences. Tell us what you are doing to keep the soil healthy.

For the big researchers:

• What do you know about the soil in your area? What types of soil do you find in Jena?
• Are there many sealed areas or lush green spaces in your area? What difference is there in terms of temperature?
• Have you already "observed" the cooling effect of different ground surfaces? Tell us about it!
• Is there possibly a sealed area on the school grounds that could be unsealed and thus made more natural?
• What do soil and flooding have to do with each other?
• What do soil and groundwater have to do with each other?
• How do soil and climate influence each other?
• Anyone who declares war on food waste is also a soil protector. Even discarded food requires arable land, fertilizers, etc. What do you do?

Start a soil protection project and tell us about it. We look forward to hearing about your activities and ideas for protecting our soil as a resource!

Participation

The competition is aimed at children and young people living in Jena. Individuals as well as groups, initiatives, associations, school classes and kindergarten groups can take part. In the case of group projects, the organization must be based in the city of Jena. Support from adults is permitted.

The application is made informally with a description of the project or activity carried out.
The following information is required

• A brief description of the project,
• Number of participants,
• age of the children or class level,
• full address of the applicant and at least one contact person for queries.

Evaluation criteria

• Active action to improve the environmental situation
• Intensive personal involvement with the topic
• Sustainability of the project (impact on environmental awareness, role model character)
• Presentation of the project (clarity, creativity)

Prize money

The Jena Children's & Youth Environmental Award comprises a total sum of € 2,500 and can be divided among several prize winners. The prize is sponsored by Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck and the city of Jena.

The award ceremony will take place as part of the Environment Day // Your Day in Paradise on May 2024.

Application and closing date

Please send applications to this address:

Jena City Council
Environmental Protection Department
Am Anger 26
07743 Jena

or by e-mail to umweltschutz@jena.de.(link sends email)

The closing date for entries is 26.04.2024.