KI-E Administrative Year 2025-2026
GREEN STEPS TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE
by Giancarlo Bellina, KI-E Chair Branding, Marketing & Communication
The Green Steps for a Bright Future project is a European Service launched by KI-E for the 2025-2026 biennium under the presidency of Elio Garozzo. The main objective is to unify all Kiwanis clubs in Europe under a simple but impactful mission: Sustainability.
The project is designed to be zero-cost high-impact, simple to implement, engaging for children and families, scalable from small communities to large cities, and visible both online and in public. The initiative aims at encouraging clubs across Europe to develop and support local projects that:
- Educate children about environmental responsibility;
- Promote sustainable actions through hands-on activities;
- Engage families, schools, and communities in eco-friendly initiatives;
- Inspire young leaders to take part in building a greener future.
Whether it’s planting trees, organizing eco-workshops, or cleaning up local parks, each action will be a step toward growth of awareness, collaboration, and hope for a better and sustainable future.
Scroll down to discover the projects and activities run by Kiwanis clubs across Europe.
Kiwanis Club Corabia
Kiwanis Club of Corabia launched a green project at “Al. I. Cuza” Theoretical High School in Corabia, where Key Club students, together with members of the Kiwanis Club Corabia and teachers, planted trees and ornamental plants in the schoolyard.
A beautiful step toward a greener future and toward engaging young people in protecting the environment.
Kiwanis Catania Est
🌿 Planting for the Future 🌿
Students of the Rodari Nosengo School took part in a special sustainability initiative by planting an olive tree, generously provided by the President of the Kiwanis Club Catania Est, Nino Papotto.
The event was held in the presence of:
- The School Principal and Local Public Authorities;
- The KI-E President Elio Garozzo;
- The Lieutenant Governor Angelo Corsaro
- The District Environmental Chair Francesca Santonocito
🎓 Our students were the true protagonists, actively engaging in activities focused on environmental awareness and sustainability.
🌍 This initiative is fully aligned with “Green Steps for a Bright Future”, the program launched this year by Kiwanis International Europe.
Kiwanis Club Craiova
FREE POLLINATORS is a project dedicated to environmental education and youth involvement in protecting pollinators and local biodiversity. The initiative aims to raise awareness in the community about the essential role of bees and other pollinators in ecosystems, but also to develop concrete actions that contribute to their conservation. The project is implemented by Kiwanis Craiova and is part of the Kiwanis Europe strategic direction – “Green Steps for a Bright Future“, as well as the local Kiwanis Green program, which promotes environmental education and protection initiatives.
At the same time, the project is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, contributing directly to SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 15 – Life on Land, through educational activities, ecological restoration actions, and community mobilization for biodiversity protection.
The project was implemented through a series of educational, community, and volunteer activities carried out over several months, involving young people, teachers, environmental experts, and members of the local community.
The FREE POLLINATORS project contributes to the development of a more informed and involved community in protecting the environment, providing young people with the tools and knowledge necessary to become ambassadors of biodiversity and sustainable development, in the spirit of the values promoted by Kiwanis at European and global level.
Kiwanis Club West Seattle
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Washington, U.S. – yes, we know, it’s not in Europe but it highlights the strong environmental awareness promoted within Kiwanis International. This vision is fully aligned with the European Green Education Service, confirming that environmental care is a priority embraced across the entire international Kiwanis community. The club contributed US$100 to support Summit Atlas students’ giving garden this year. The Gardening Club is cleaning up the garden and getting it ready for spring planting.
Kiwanis Club Zafferana Etnea
The Kiwanis Zafferana Etnea club in Catania promoted nature walks and a Green Painting for schools for environmental awareness and the physical and mental well-being that the natural landscape provides.
SCHOOL GREEN PROJECT
The Green Project is an initiative conceived by the Kiwanis Club of Zafferana Etnea and promoted by President Salvatore Leone and Secretary Luca Patanè as part of the Green Project environmental sustainability education programme. Its aim is to raise awareness in the local community about sustainable development goals, promoting environmental awareness and the physical and mental well-being that comes from the natural landscape.
The project dedicated to schools: Contest for schools on the occasion of Tree Day entitled “The tree teaches me”
“The tree teaches me” invites primary and secondary school students to draw a tree that teaches. Through their drawings and imagination, students will try their hand at drawing and creating a tree that teaches them something.
It was a moment of reflection in which we paused to think together with the students about what trees can teach us. For example, it was possible to learn some lessons from trees such as patience, strength, collaboration and resilience.
The students were able to explore and reflect on how uplifting observing and contemplating nature can be and how precious our connection with the Earth is.
The contest began with a two-hour meeting on Friday, 14 November, with sustainable development expert Lavinia Lo Faro, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Zafferana Etnea and president of the Trucioli Association, who introduced the flora and fauna of Mount Etna and its forests. This was followed by an artistic production phase led by watercolourist Stefania Mazzurco, who supported the students in creating an impromptu work of art on the theme of trees.
Kiwanis provided all the art supplies for the students.
At the second meeting on 21st November, World Tree Day, the three winners (selected by a jury made up of the students themselves) were awarded a set of watercolours. All the children received a certificate of participation, a club pen and a multicoloured pencil.
The project involved volunteer members who coordinated and supported all activities related to the project. These same volunteer members are responsible for promoting the project and encouraging other communities to replicate it, thus contributing to a culture that is more attentive and respectful of the environment and collective well-being.
Kiwanis Club eClub Junior Italy
The Kiwanis eClub Junior Italy Service promoted activities included the sale, donation, and planting of olive trees in schools and local communities, with both ecological and solidarity purposes.
On 2 October, our club gathered in Piazza XI Settembre in Cosenza to sell olive tree seedlings for UNICEF.
It was an unprecedented success. The President’s wife, Rosanna Giuliani, sold over 70 seedlings during the pre-order phase.
We had to ask neighbouring towns to supply us with more seedlings as the ones allocated to us sold out immediately.
9 October 2025: The olive trees were delivered to the Brutium Science Centre in Cosenza.
This activity had a dual purpose: the pupils purchased the olive trees and donated them to the social cooperative “L’arca di Noe” (Noah’s Ark). We will return in the spring to plant more seedlings to do good and raise awareness among young people about ecology.
The trees were also planted in each complex of the institute, about three complexes with thousands of students
In the educational aims of the school, an important place has been given to “Solidarity”, encouraging the children to reach out to others with mutual respect. With this in mind, we presented Kiwanis as a service club that benefits all children and young people around the world.
At the Amarelli comprehensive school in Rossano (CS), we brought olive trees to the schoolchildren and children.
We also decided to plant one with everyone’s help at the school as a symbol and testimony to its high ecological value and peace.
We then explained the aims of Kiwanis in favour of children and gave a short lesson on ecology thanks to the school’s teaching staff.
Kiwanis Club Sikelia Est
The Kiwanis Club Sikelia Est together with other associations planted trees of all kinds; the tree chosen was the Mimosa, which, like the Olive Tree, has great significance. Children participated in the planting both directly and through drawings.
On 21 November, the Kiwanis Club Sikelia Est carried out a service in Adrano for the third consecutive year. A service that encompasses both the tree festival and the anniversary of the previous day, namely our goal, children’s rights. In fact, together with other associations, we planted trees of all kinds. the tree we chose was the Mimosa, which, like the Olive Tree, has great significance. Children participated in the planting both directly and through drawings. Eight schools took part, and the result was a truly special moment, an indissoluble union between nature and childhood, adolescence, and those who will be the men of tomorrow.
Watch their Reel
Kiwanis Club Modica
The Kiwanins Club Modica met first-year secondary school pupils to illustrate the project in question, Reflections were shared on habits and behaviours to adopt, in order to protect the environment. The first step involved the students planting a sapling in the school courtyard.
On 19 November, a meeting was held at the I.C. ‘S. Marta Ciaceri’ school in Modica with first-year secondary school pupils to illustrate the project in question, which aims to raise awareness and empower them about the need to care for our planet. Reflections were shared on habits and behaviours to adopt in order to protect the environment. The first step involved the students planting a sapling in the school courtyard. President Pina Angelico and Secretary Maria Zingale were joined by Antonio Davi, Lieutenant Governor of Div. 3 South-East Sicily, Club members, teachers and parents. The young students showed remarkable enthusiasm and committed themselves to protecting the environment with sensitivity and participation.