Promoting Eco-friendly Habits at Work with Gamification

Shift2Green

Protecting the environment and combating climate change are at the top of the political agenda. In February 2021, the European Commission confirmed its new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). With this plan, the Commission is taking a decisive step towards transforming Europe from a linear economy to a circular economy and thus initiating a paradigm shift in the European economic system. The measures aim to create a strong and consistent policy framework that will make sustainable products, services and business models the norm. In the future, companies will be confronted more than ever with the challenge of fundamentally rethinking their business concepts. However, many SMEs are not sufficiently prepared for this change process and have difficulties implementing overall concepts.

Goals and content

The Erasmus project Shift2Green aims to raise environmental awareness and develop sustainability skills among managers and employees in small and medium-sized enterprises in order to drive green transformation at both an organizational and personal level. The project will create pedagogical solutions that will help both in-house staff and vocational trainers to initiate change. One of the solutions will be Shift2Green gamification, which will be used to inspire learners to make sustainable behavioral changes. A fully digital, web-based learning tool with missions, challenges, tasks, resources and learning paths will be developed to support pro-ecological behaviors and habits in the workplace.

Results

In this part of the project, the partners are focusing on the sustainability requirements of partners and SMEs. The aim is to promote environmental change within organisations through the exchange of knowledge on sustainable practices and digital learning solutions. The idea behind this deliverable is to equip partners with the necessary knowledge to develop high-quality solutions and to address skills gaps. A detailed analysis of sustainability needs helps in planning skills development, whilst the analysed case studies demonstrate what motivates SME managers to implement environmental changes. The knowledge compiled in the form of the report can be used as an additional resource for vocational training instructors to adapt training for SMEs and learners and to support sustainable practices and behavioural changes.

Report: Sustainability Practices in SME (ENGLISCH)

Report: Eco-Education and Gamification Workshop (ENGLISCH)

The aim of the Shift2Green gamification initiative is to inspire and kick-start the training of change agents and advocates for the green transition within SMEs. This involves engaging SME owners, managers and staff in the design and development process of gamification aimed at promoting pro-environmental change. Furthermore, learners in vocational education and training are to be provided with an engaging digital learning solution – a web-based gamification tool – that encourages them to adopt environmentally friendly behaviours and apply them regularly at work, ultimately leading to internalisation and the formation of habits. Gamification also serves as a tool for vocational training tutors to foster environmental awareness and support behavioural change in eco-friendly education. The overarching aim is to develop eco-friendly habits across all organisations and to turn employees and managers into active change agents for sustainable development within SMEs and partner organisations. The approach is tailored to the skills gaps identified in earlier work packages in relation to the successful green transformation of SMEs.

Shift2Green Gamification

The Shift2Green Guide is a personalised collection of sustainable practices in SMEs for vocational training instructors, featuring descriptions of successful transformation pathways, benefits, challenges and warning signs, as well as criteria for selecting the best approach to initiate the green transition.

The tool includes a methodology for vocational training instructors to create digital, resource-based curricula to promote environmentally friendly behaviour in the workplace and inspire trainees to adopt eco-friendly habits at work. In addition, an advanced gamification-based curriculum is available.

This encourages vocational training instructors to explore new approaches to teaching sustainability skills. The Shift2Green project thus contributes to green innovation in vocational education and training. Only through a lasting change in habits can the current and future needs of society and the economy be met, not only in the EU but throughout the world.

Shift2Green Guide