Dare to Care: Anatolia College’s sustainability commitment

Anatolia College, a key stakeholder in the Region of Central Macedonia, continues to lead the way in inspiring students to become active and socially responsible citizens through its initiative “Dare to Care”. This program showcases a range of impactful social initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and community engagement. The collaboration between Anatolia College and its students fosters a culture of care, responsibility, and action. Below are some of the standout projects from the program that specifically address environmental impact and sustainability.

- Olive picking day

On 25 October and 2 November 2024, volunteers gathered for Olive Picking Days, an initiative that not only produced Anatolia’s signature olive oil, 'AnatOILia', but also brought together nearly 100 community members, including students and staff from the Elementary and High Schools.

Participants enjoyed a sunny day of teamwork in the olive groves, reinforcing the values of collaboration and environmental stewardship. The olive oil produced was later sold at the Christmas Bazaar, with proceeds supporting the Zero Hunger Mission and Anatolia’s Solidarity Kitchen, further strengthening the school’s community outreach efforts.

- Plastic caps collection

As part of Anatolia College’s commitment to sustainability, students collected and donated 79,800 plastic caps to the Association of Paraplegics and People with Physical Disabilities of Pella. This initiative not only encouraged recycling but also supported a meaningful cause, showcasing how small actions can make a big impact.

- Green ambassadors

The Green Ambassadors, a student-led high school team actively promotes environmental awareness and sustainability within the community. Their initiatives this year included:

• Publishing three newsletters and making 36 Instagram posts focused on bioeconomy and green education.
• Participating in the GenB Bioeconomy Art Competition, where they used creativity to highlight sustainable solutions.
• Collaborating with the Greek Eco Project to host an upcycling workshop, emphasising waste reduction and reuse.
• Contributing to the Christmas Whispers and Anatolia Christmas Bazaar, where they successfully raised EUR 250 to support eco-friendly initiatives.
• Designing posters to raise awareness about sustainability, demonstrating their dedication to a greener future.

Connection with MINEV

Anatolia College was invited to present its successful waste management project at the MINEV event in Thessaloniki on 16 October 2024. The event, part of the MINEV project, highlighted the Anatolia College’s efforts in reducing waste during large cultural events. Key actions included the elimination of single-use plastics on campus.

For more information on Anatolia College’s social responsibility programs, visit www.anatolia.edu.gr.

To explore more about Dare to Care, read the full newsletter: Dare to Care Newsletter