European Sustainable Development Week (SEDD) at Work: 5 Ideas

This year, the European Sustainable Development Week (SEDD, for Semaine Européenne du Développement Durable) takes place from September 18 to October 8. It is a key moment to raise your employees' awareness of environmental issues. To do that, you need activities to build in your organization. Out of ideas? We are here to help!

I. What is the SEDD again?

The European Sustainable Development Week (SEDD) is an event that aims to promote sustainable development across Europe. It was started by France in 2003. In 2015, with the adoption by the United Nations of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, the initiative became European. The SEDD encourages concrete mobilization at every level by promoting sustainable development initiatives such as talks, challenges and educational projects. A theme is proposed every year. For example, in 2023, the event's title was "Agir au quotidien" (Act every day).

Learn more about the SDGs: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda, a call to action for all countries, whether rich, poor or middle-income. These goals aim to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. By promoting balanced and sustainable development, the SDGs seek to harmonize economic growth with social justice and environmental protection, in order to build a better and more sustainable future for all generations.

You are probably wondering how to run this week. Here are some ideas!

II. Activities to run at your company for the SEDD

1) A serious game on environmental issues

It is sometimes hard to capture employees' attention, which is why you need to think about innovative methods. The serious game is one of them! Indeed, running an escape game lets you raise employee awareness while combining entertainment and learning. This immersive activity builds a positive group dynamic by encouraging cooperation, communication and team problem solving. Thanks to puzzles, videos and quizzes, the escape game makes learning fun and memorable, which helps the key messages stick. This interactive approach also reaches every type of personality, making awareness more inclusive and effective. You can also run escape games on several topics. For example, you can run a session on responsible digital, eco-mobility or disability in the workplace.

If you would like more information on this, contact us.

2) Ecological challenges

You can create an internal competition around environmental issues. To do so, prepare a list of challenges to give your employees in advance.

Each day can be used to launch one of the following challenges:

• Waste reduction challenge: encourage your employees to use as little plastic as possible. If your company only has non-reusable containers for coffee and water, recognize employees who bring a water bottle and a mug.

• Soft mobility challenge: organize a day where the goal for your employees is to favor soft mobility (walking, cycling and other low-impact ways of getting around).

• Paper reduction challenge: get employees to use as little paper as possible.

• In-company environmental projects challenge: leave room for your employees' imagination. Organize a discussion session where everyone can share ideas to make the company greener. If some proposals are easy to carry out, you can put them in place with your employees in the following days or weeks.

• Waste collection challenge: organize a day where employees must pick up as much litter as possible in an area near your company.

You can think of many other challenges, but above all, do not forget to reward your employees to create this competitive effect. Offer a prize to the employees who win the most challenges to give a positive image of respecting the environment. You can also communicate about it afterward.

3) A dedicated cycling day to engage your employees in eco-mobility

Organizing a dedicated cycling day at your company is an original way to promote soft mobility. For example, you can set up a bike repair stand and call on bicycle retailers to go all the way with your eco-responsible approach. Asking a company that could set up a circuit with bikes available could motivate employees even more to adopt cycling. Try to contact a well-known figure in the cycling world or someone who champions bike use to add credibility to your initiative.

Finally, to make cycling safer, organize bike safety training sessions where employees get practical demonstrations and learn how to use safety equipment properly.

4) Organize a clothing swap at your company

The textile sector is the second most polluting sector, so it needs to become greener, on a large or small scale. To do this, local initiatives such as clothing swaps (vide-dressings) are a way to bring your employees on board through buying second-hand clothes. For example, you can set up a barter system over several days inside your company. A certain number of tickets will be given depending on the item donated. These will give access to new clothes or discounts on services offered by the company, such as the canteen, to encourage employees to play along.

5) Organize talks

Talks remain a good way to get key messages across. You can hold several short ones to cover the different SDG topics. Feminism, the use of renewable energy or reducing inequalities are topics you can develop. If you want to raise awareness of eco-mobility, you can choose one of these 7 inspiring people. During the week, do not hesitate to take a moment to discuss these talks with your employees. It will help them absorb the important ideas even more and see how much importance you give to environmental issues.

III. Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this roundup and that it gave you ideas for this European Sustainable Development Week!

If you would like more information, contact us!