Climate change is one of the most acute problems of our time, requiring immediate and coordinated action at the global, national and local levels. In Kyrgyzstan, a country vulnerable to the effects of climate change, raising environmental awareness and developing “green” skills among the population is of particular relevance.
Within the framework of the project “Expanding access to non-formal adult education in libraries of Kyrgyzstan” DVV International organized a training for trainers “Green technologies and environmental skills” aimed at raising awareness of public library staff about modern green technologies and building skills for their application and dissemination through training others.
This training helps to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal #13, which focuses on combating climate change. However, it is important to realize that all 17 Sustainable Development Goals are interrelated and affect the environment. For example, Goal #6, related to clean water and sanitation, directly affects the health of ecosystems and people's quality of life.
Goal #7 on affordable and clean energy contributes to reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. The training participants not only learned about green technologies, but also learned how to effectively transfer this knowledge to the people around them, which in turn contributes to other goals such as improving education (Goal #4) and reducing inequality (Goal #10). By educating local people, they become change agents who can influence the sustainability of their communities, contributing to a greener and more equitable world for all.
In April 2025, “Schools of Ecology” will be launched in 18 locations at public libraries in Kyrgyzstan, during which trainers will teach local people “green” skills to create a sustainable system of environmental education at the local level. Libraries, with their wide coverage of the population, can become key platforms for dissemination of “green” knowledge and practices.