ChangeLAB is a Pan European project aimed at changing lifestyles, attitudes and behaviour towards sustainability. Below are some examples of the excellent work the project partners are involved with.

Utrecht Energy Saving pilot - In Utrecht citizens now have the opportunity to borrow an energy meter for a few weeks to measure the energy use of all equipment and the impact on their behaviour. This method has proved successful in parts of the Netherlands, where over 57% of all meter users made energy saving actions after using it.

Markets for recycled materials - The European Waste Management (EWM) is a project funded by Interreg IIIC, with 12 European partners, including Surrey County Council. It is working to exchange knowledge and experience within the themes of landfill and reuse, separate collection and the improvement of waste management systems. The project is undertaking a survey of markets for recycled materials, to find out about the state of market development in the EU for 5 specific materials (plastics, paper, card, glass and wood).

Visiting the Surrey’s Golden Boot project - Hungarian and Estonian partners visited Surrey to see the ‘Golden Boot Challenge’ in action. The group witnessed the low traffic levels as children arrived at school on foot, bike and scooter. The guests learned about the government funding which will help one school to install lockers for cyclists and construct a pedestrian shelter. The visit provided an ideal opportunity for the Hungarian and Estonian partners to discuss their plans for a similar pilot project for use with their own schoolchildren.

Do not waste it-We take it - The Municipality of Sykies has implemented a pilot project on the recycling of plastic and aluminium. This has been done in collaboration with the Laboratory of Recycling and Handmade Crafts of the Municipal Service for People with Disabilities and the Volunteer Work of Thessaloniki. The main aim of the pilot action is to raise the awareness of citizens on the recycling of plastic and aluminium.

The citizens response was very positive and the results showed that in just the first two and half months of the project 7,500 litres of plastic and 1,300 litres of aluminium had been collected.

The next ChangeLAB Meeting, 14 - 15 September

The next workshop will be in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is a two days event with each day focusing on a different subject.

Day one will address the lessons learnt from the pilot projects and analyse the criteria for success in changing behaviour.

Day two will look at how the ChangeLAB Tool Kit can deliver a technique planner for selecting the best technique in changing behaviour with certain target groups, the production of a database with examples and projects for inspiration and information and also the production of a handbook with lessons learned and 'Top 10' tips on strategies and criteria for success.

Please Click the following link for the latest Changelab Newsletter: Newsletter2English06-2006.pdf