The AGEINGREEN project set out with a clear and powerful mission: to equip older adults with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take meaningful action in the face of climate change. At its core, the project believes in the potential of seniors to be sustainability champions, not just learners, but leaders in their communities.
Over the past few months, AGEINGREEN has brought this vision to life through three interactive intergenerational workshops and a poetic, city-wide treasure hunt, each designed to blend environmental education with personal reflection, creative expression, and civic engagement.
The workshop series opened with “Basics of Climate Change,” offering participants a solid foundation in understanding the science behind global warming, the greenhouse effect, and the interconnectedness of human and environmental systems. Seniors engaged in open discussions about their personal experiences of environmental change over time, which helped contextualize the technical content in real, lived experience.
The second intergenerational workshop, “Carbon Footprint, Climate Change and Health,” explored how our daily choices - from the food we eat to the way we travel - affect both planetary and personal health. With practical tips and interactive exercises, participants learned how to assess their own carbon footprint and shared ideas on how to adopt more climate-friendly habits, especially in areas such as nutrition, energy use, and active mobility. The workshop sparked powerful conversations about the long-term health impacts of climate change, particularly on vulnerable groups like older adults and children.
In the third session, “Climate Change and Sustainable Living,” participants delved into the concept of sustainable lifestyles. The group reflected on ways to make more conscious decisions in everyday life from reducing waste and embracing circular practices to rethinking consumption patterns. Simple DIY examples and household changes were shared, proving that sustainability is not only achievable but often rooted in the traditional values of thrift, reuse, and community care that many seniors already embrace. In addition, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN were discussed.
The highlight of the project was the AGEINGREEN QUEST, a public, rhymed treasure hunt that turned the streets of Nicosia into a poetic pathway toward environmental awareness. Written in verse and packed with green clues, the treasure hunt invited seniors, families, and young people to team up and explore the city through an ecological lens. Each stop represented a green practice such as parks, public transport systems, green companies, second hand shops and more. More than just a game, the QUEST was a celebration of intergenerational learning, outdoor education, and creative climate action.
Through these activities, AGEINGREEN has shown that ageing and activism go hand in hand. Participants not only gained new knowledge and skills, but also reported feeling more empowered, connected, and hopeful. For many, this was their first time engaging with structured environmental learning. For others, it was a chance to rekindle their sense of purpose, share memories, and pass on values to younger generations.
The project team is now compiling a handbook of the workshops and the treasure hunt, which will be published alongside a set of open-access resources to encourage replication across Europe. AGEINGREEN is more than a one-off initiative, it is a growing community of eco-conscious seniors and young people ready to keep learning, sharing, and greening the world around them.
If you are an individual or an organisation working on environmental issues or intergenerational projects, we would be happy to collaborate with you. AGEINGREEN has shown us that it’s never too late to take action, and that the wisdom and energy of older adults are valuable for building a fairer and greener future for all.