The University of Algarve held, on 29 October, the second edition of the ideas contest “Greening Our Campus: Building Sustainable Projects for a Better Future”, organised within the framework of the European University of the Seas (SEA-EU).
The initiative aimed to encourage the creation of projects that contribute to a greener and more sustainable environment across UAlg’s campuses, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to ecological transition and environmental citizenship.
After the welcome remarks delivered by Pro-Rector Patrícia Pinto, the professors responsible for the initiative, Margarida Ribau Teixeira and Vânia Sousa (both nominated by UAlg for Task 4.4 “SEA-EU Goes Greener”), presented the context of the activity and its objectives.
The contest brought together 17 members of the academic community — including students, lecturers, researchers and technical staff — who worked in seven groups to develop innovative ideas aligned with the principles of environmental and social sustainability.
Each group presented its idea in a five-minute pitch, followed by a brief question-and-answer moment. At the end of the presentations, the two winning projects were announced, selected for their impact, creativity and feasibility: Systemic Change in Academic Food Practices and Evolving the Campus.
The project Systemic Change in Academic Food Practices, developed by Sebastião Gonzaga, Rita Oliveira and Tatiana Gomes, proposes awareness-raising actions on the ecological footprint of food by identifying CO₂ emissions and the resources used in meal preparation. The project Evolving the Campus, by Cecília Isabel, Vítor Machado, Inês Duarte and Quelly Filipe, focuses on reforesting the Gambelas Campus with cork oaks and holm oaks, promoting carbon sequestration and long-term fire prevention.
Among the remaining proposals, several stood out, including Sombras Vivas (creation of a shaded social area near the bus stop), Re.Purpose.U (composting of organic waste and tackling food waste), Aqua.Campi (a network of water fountains to reduce plastic use), Recibos (digital delivery of receipts to save paper), and Redes de Descanso (installation of relaxation and leisure structures in outdoor spaces).
The coordinators of the initiative highlighted the creativity and dedication of the participants, noting that such actions help to foster a culture of sustainability and active participation within the university.
Organised under SEA-EU’s Task 4.4, the Greening Our Campus contest reflects the University of Algarve’s commitment to engaging its community in building a greener, more inclusive and more sustainable future.
