Miljöverkstan: Eco Workshop for Children

The Eco Workshop (Miljöverkstan) is project previously supported by Axfoundation. In the spring of 2014, Axfoundation chose to support Miljöverkstan, primarily helping provide a physical space and outdoor clothing so that everyone is able to participate. In 2014, about 150 children and young people aged 4–25 were participating in the activities.

The objective of the association Miljöverkstan (Swedish for The Eco Workshop) is for children and young people to explore sustainability issues based on their own experiences, thoughts and visions. The project works closely with researchers from Albaeco and Stockholm Resilience Center. The children explore sustainability from all perspectives together with experts, scientists, artists, musicians, biologists and educators. Everything takes place in Miljöverkstan’s buildings in the Flaten Nature Reserve in a Stockholm suburb. The overall goal of the activities is to strengthen the self-image and social relationships of children and youngsters, and to get them closer to nature. Many of the children and young people come from the suburbs south of Stockholm, mainly from relatively difficult socio-economic conditions. Miljöverkstan collaborates with schools and preschools in the immediate area as well as with SHIS, the City of Stockholm’s social housing resource.