Promoting sustainability: Environmental education activities in a social institution

Environmental education should not only act in the context of formal education but can also be applied in informal contexts, allowing a multipurpose application, serving to raise awareness, and transmit knowledge, allowing individuals to develop attitudes and behaviors that go against a more eco-centric posture. Given this fact, we developed a series of activities within the spectrum of environmental education applied in a social IPSS (social solidarity private institution), Obra Social Padre Miguel in the City of Bragança in Portugal. In this work, we used a qualitative approach, specifically study of exploratory nature, since it involved users and employees of the entity in the developed action, subsequently, we collected statements through interviews. A short interview script was drawn up and validated by professionals. In the development of these actions, we collect some data, such as water saving, food waste, and testimonials from users and employees. In the development of this work, we can observe that there was a decrease in the ecological footprint of the institution, and these actions can serve as an example that can be replicated by other entities. Given the results of this work, we conclude that the application of these actions in environmental education in addition to helping those involved in environmental awareness, can help entities to reduce their ecological footprint.