Using art to promote environmental action in Águeda's schools

Águeda, European Green Leaf 2026, is bringing environmental awareness into schools through creativity and urban art.

Turning waste into wildlife-inspired installations

On 2 and 5 June, five schools in the municipality of Águeda unveiled artworks created using recyclable materials as part of the project “The Circular Economy Cycle – Nothing is lost, everything is transformed.” Developed by the Águeda City Council in partnership with THACA – Cultural and Artistic Association, the initiative encouraged pupils to explore the value of waste and the importance of the circular economy.

Each school created a different installation inspired by native wildlife: a stork, a squirrel, a fox, an otter and a spotted woodpecker. Working together with local artists, students took part in every stage of the process, from collecting materials to constructing and installing the final pieces.

Using art to inspire sustainable action

Edson Santos, Vice-President of the Águeda City Council, underlined the value of combining creativity with the reuse of waste to encourage sustainable action within the younger generations.

“Through art, we want to change behaviours. By combining creativity with the reuse of waste, we are able to convey environmental messages more effectively to the younger generation”, he said.

Developed in collaboration with the Eco-Schools programme, the initiative reinforces the municipality’s ongoing commitment to use art as a tool for sustainability education.

A celebration of young people’s power to drive environmental change

The project shows how art can help communicate environmental messages in a simple, engaging and lasting way. In transforming discarded materials into creative public artworks, the motivated pupils not only had fun but were encouraged to understand their own role in building a more sustainable community.

The artworks now form part of the school environment, serving as permanent reminders of climate action, creativity and the contribution young people can make to a greener future.