As the head of the environmental club “May”, I believe that starting changes gives important results in childhood. Waste management is one of those things that children teach their parents.”

Angela Bolkvadze – head of environmental protection club “May”.

In 2017, the “May” environmental club was established at the public school of Maradisi village in Marneuli municipality. The same year, the club participated in the “Niko Ketskhoveli School Award” competition organized by the non-governmental organization CENN and successfully implemented more than 150 activities aligned with the 17 sustainable development goals for the environment. The club won the competition and was awarded a trip to Austria.

In 2019, the club participated in the same competition and became the champion of Kvemo Kartli. In 2021, the club was recognized for its contribution to the implementation of sustainable goals.

Between 2017 and 2023, the “European Fund” financed several projects initiated by the Ecoclub. The club also won the “Young Ideas” competition sponsored by the Marneuli City Hall and created a film club with the prize money. The club won twice the Tasso Foundation award and, in partnership with women entrepreneurs, secured 8000 GEL funding to build an open stage for various events.

After winning the competition organized by Rustavi Innovation Hub, the club members built a roller coaster in the village. The Eco-club also won the waste paper competition and transformed an abandoned building into a library.

Every year, the club organizes a charity concert in Maradisi village, where partner organizations and friendly schools participate. The funds raised from the concert are used to help children with leukemia.

Recently, the Ecoclub won the “Stop Plastic Pollution” competition. The students also collaborated with the Association of Decorative Plants to plant and care for more than 400 decorative plants.

Over the past seven years, the club earned more than 40,000 GEL through various projects, positively impacting the lives of Maradisi residents.

The Education Development and Employment Center announced a competition, which allowed the club to carry out activities beneficial to the community. Within the project, villagers will learn about waste management, waste separation, and how to make compost from organic waste, which can be used in agriculture. The club also acquired a branch shredder for composting and mulching dead branches to beautify yards.