The ECOPOLIS project aims to improve communication between young people and the government.
The future online platform will not only include playful learning scenarios and options to express opinions, but also workshops incuding local policymakers and young people (aka soon-to-be voters) in an effort to support involvement, communication, and active participation. The platform also aims to support young people's interest in local climate policy and the political process and active participation therein. By exchanging views with the target group, the city's politicians hope to learn more about young people’s opinions and ideas for the future to continue creating an attractive and sustainable climate city.
In cooperation with the Johannes Kepler University Linz (School of Education, Department of MINT Didactics/Physics), and the Climate Office (city government on behalf of the city of Linz), the project will be managed by a research group, "Playful Interactive Environments", at the University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria. The project consortium has additional support by SORA Institute for Social Research and Consulting in Vienna. The two-year climate education project will wrap up in 2024.
Assoz.Prof. DI Dr. Ingrid Graz (STEM Physics at the JKU), remarked: "Natural sciences, particularly physics and chemistry, provide explanations in regard to numerous processes related to the climate and climate change. The exciting thing about this project is that it facilitates the connection of scientific topics the reality of young people’s lives, giving them a stronger background and understanding to take part in an informed discussion. The approach to get kids and teens excited about STEM subjects is very important to the JKU and the university supports a number of projects and programs."