Last Autumn, the collaboration between Futuraskolan International (Sweden) and ELIX continued to flourish, bringing together young students for hands-on environmental and community activities in Athens. Over two visits, the students participated in impactful projects, including the Zero Plastic initiative on Ymittos Mountain and a creative school painting activity at the 22nd Primary School of Athens.
Painting for Diversity and Inclusion
At the 22nd Primary School of Athens, students, teachers, parents, and the ELIX team worked side by side to transform the schoolyard into a vibrant and welcoming space. The activities included:
- Refreshing old playground markings
- Creating new outdoor games
- Decorating a wall with colorful handprints
- Building a “Multilingual Wall”, featuring greetings in 20 different languages reflecting the diverse student body
Over 80 brushes were used, with one brush per participant, and students from Futuraskolan contributed with great enthusiasm. Special thanks go to the 22nd Primary School staff, the school principal Konstantina Bozonelou, and the ELIX team, along with the Futuraskolan Global Citizenship students, for making the afternoon so productive and inspiring.
Protecting Ymittos: Zero Plastic Action
Students also returned to Ymittos Mountain to participate in the Zero Plastic activity, in collaboration with SPAY - The Union for the Protection and Development of Hymettus. The students collected waste, learned about the biodiversity of the mountain, and contributed to the ongoing efforts to restore and protect this crucial green space. The activity began with an introduction from SPAY, explaining their work in conserving the mountain, followed by hands-on action, and concluded with a shared lunch at the Lookout Station. The students got to know the founder of ELIX, Eleni Gazi, and worked alongside the morning.
These activities not only helped the environment but also provided a platform for students to engage directly with the local community and develop a sense of global citizenship.
Global Citizenship in Action
The students from Futuraskolan who participated in the Autumn 2025 activities are part of the school’s Global Citizenship Programme, designed to empower young learners to take active roles in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate world. The programme fosters both cognitive skills and social responsibility, allowing students to understand diverse realities while acting for positive change.
In addition to these activities in Greece, Futuraskolan supports ELIX’s work through fundraising initiatives in Sweden, organised in cooperation with parents and school staff. These contributions are vital to sustaining ELIX programmes in Athens.
Continuing a Long-Term Partnership
The partnership between Futuraskolan and ELIX began in July 2023, initiated by Tom Callahan, CEO of Futuraskolan, and Chris Mockrish, former Head of International Outreach. They met with Judith Wunderlich-Antoniou, Director of ELIX, and Angeliki Sifaki, Project Coordinator, sparking a collaboration that blends social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and global awareness.
“We had such a good feeling from our first conversation that we would do something meaningful together,” says Judith. “There was a strong alignment in our values and a shared commitment to making a difference for both communities and the environment.”
Looking Ahead
Our partnership continues to grow, with future visits planned for March 2026 and beyond. Through activities like tree planting, Zero Plastic campaigns, and creative school projects, Futuraskolan and ELIX demonstrate the power of international cooperation to make tangible impacts on both society and the environment.
Together, we continue to inspire young people to take action, embrace diversity, and develop a lifelong commitment to global citizenship.
