Eco-friendly Sport Workshop, Jordan, July 2024

Eco-friendly Sport Workshop
Part of the "Sports 4 Healthy Life" Project
Desert Bloom hosted the Eco-friendly Sport Workshop in Amman and Balqa from July 1-2, 2024. The workshop was attended by 30 participants from government institutions, academia, civil society, subject matter experts, and youth. It covered key environmental issues and mitigation strategies.
In the first half, the workshop focused on Earth-inspired concepts such as Earth-based feminism and Eco-tourism, water challenges and strategies in Jordan, solid waste management in Jordan, as well as global challenges like water scarcity and global warming.
The second part of the workshop was dedicated to practical techniques and strategies to mitigate and adapt to various environmental challenges. Participants brainstormed innovative ideas for applying Zero-waste principles (the 5 R’s of Conservation: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle). They also learned about eco-friendly sports and highlighted sports that best protect our environment. Finally, participants calculated their ecological footprints and discussed ways to minimize their individual environmental impacts.
The second day was dedicated to field visits in Balqa Governorate, including the College of Agriculture Technology at Al-Balqa' Applied University (BAU) in Salt, the Albalqa Innovation Institute in Bayyudah, Mysara Forest, the Ecological Park in As-Subayhi, and the old city of Salt (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The workshop is part of the "Sports for Healthy Life" project, supported by the European Commission's Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), and coordinated by Sorgun Youth Association within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Volunteer Teams in High Priority Areas Programme. The project uses sports as a platform to empower young people facing adversity. It aims to:
• Help young people identify their strengths and build self-confidence to overcome challenges.
• Broaden their perspectives by exposing them to new experiences and ideas, opening doors to future possibilities.
• Foster a belief in positive change, encouraging a hopeful outlook for the future.
• Enhance life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, which are valuable in all aspects of life.