EcoHeroes: A New Phase Is About to Begin

The EcoHeroes project is approaching the completion of its first major activity. Participants in Italy, Bulgaria and Malta have taken part in a series of practical, gamified environmental challenges designed to transform awareness of plastic pollution into concrete action.

With the EcoMissions almost complete, the project partners are now preparing the results and methodological resources that will soon be available online. At the same time, EcoHeroes is getting ready to move towards its next activity: biohacking workshops dedicated to sustainable biomaterials and alternatives to conventional plastic.

EcoHeroes is implemented within the Erasmus+ Programme under KA210-ADU – Small-scale Partnerships in Adult Education and is co-funded by the European Union through the programme managed by the European Commission.

The project reference number is 2025-1-IT02-KA210-ADU-000349513.

The project engages adults aged 30–40 in exploring plastic pollution, reconsidering their consumption habits and experimenting with more sustainable practices in their everyday lives.

Fifteen EcoMissions across three countries

The first project activity includes a total of 15 EcoMissions: five developed and implemented in Italy, five in Bulgaria and five in Malta.

Participants completed the five EcoMissions designed in their own country. Each national pathway was adapted to its local context while following the same shared methodological structure.

The EcoMissions are not traditional lessons or theoretical exercises. They are short, accessible and practical challenges that invite participants to observe their habits, investigate environmental issues, take action, document their experience and reflect on what they have learned.

Across the three countries, the missions follow a common five-stage learning progression:

1. Observation – recognising everyday habits and patterns related to plastic consumption;
2. Investigation – examining products, labels, materials and available alternatives;
3. Minimal action – introducing a small but concrete change into daily life;
4. Social action – sharing the experience and encouraging others to reflect or participate;
5. Creative synthesis – transforming what has been learned into a personal, practical or creative outcome.

This progression allows participants to move gradually from awareness to action and from individual reflection to wider community engagement.

Learning through action, documentation and reflection

The EcoHeroes methodology combines experiential learning and gamification to make adult education more engaging, practical and motivating.

For each EcoMission, participants are asked to complete a specific environmental challenge and provide evidence of their experience. Depending on the mission, this may include photographs, written reflections or short videos.

Documentation is not treated merely as proof that a task has been completed. It forms an essential part of the learning process, helping participants recognise the choices they made, the difficulties they encountered and the changes they may be able to maintain over time.

The gamification system awards points for completing the missions, providing the required evidence and reflecting on the experience. Additional recognition is provided through jury assessments, national rankings and an international leaderboard.

The aim is not simply to create competition. Points, recognition and leaderboards are used to maintain motivation, celebrate commitment and make participants’ progress visible throughout the experience.

Results and materials coming online soon

As the first activity approaches completion, the project partners are organising the results and resources developed during the EcoMissions.

The official EcoHeroes website will soon provide access to:

• the 15 EcoMissions developed in Italy, Bulgaria and Malta;
• instructions and practical materials for implementing the challenges;
• the Participant Rule Book, explaining the rules, evidence requirements and gamification system;
• the EcoHeroes Methodological Toolkit, supporting educators and organisations in designing and delivering gamified EcoMissions in adult education;
• a multimedia gallery featuring photographs, videos and experiences from participants;
• national results and the international leaderboard.

The materials will help educators, adult education providers and community organisations understand the methodology and adapt it to different groups, environmental topics and local contexts.

The main resources will be made available in English, Italian and Bulgarian.

From EcoMissions to biohacking workshops

The conclusion of the EcoMissions will mark the beginning of the second EcoHeroes activity: a series of practical biohacking workshops focused on sustainable materials and alternatives to plastic.

During this new phase, participants will move from observing and changing their daily habits to experimenting directly with materials and production processes.

The workshops will explore:

• sustainable biomaterials;
• practical alternatives to conventional plastic;
• creative solutions inspired by circular economy principles.

Through hands-on experimentation, participants will investigate how natural and renewable resources can be transformed into alternative materials. They will also be encouraged to collaborate, test ideas and consider how small-scale innovation can contribute to more sustainable lifestyles.

The transition from EcoMissions to biohacking workshops reflects the wider EcoHeroes learning journey: starting with awareness, moving into action and eventually creating new solutions.

EcoHeroes continues to show that environmental education can be practical, participatory and closely connected to everyday life. By combining challenges, reflection, gamification and experimentation, the project gives adults the opportunity to become active contributors to change.

Discover the project, explore its activities and follow the next steps at www.ecoheroes.eu.