Durban - Schools under the eThekwini Municipality are invited to submit an environmental proposal to the Imagine Durban Demonstration Project Fund and stand a chance to win R70 000 to help implement the project.
Imagine Durban is a council-based initiative on integrated long-term planning, which is implemented together with sustainable cities including the Canadian non-government organisation and the Plus Network.
The Plus Network is made up of 35 cities sharing experiences in sustainability planning.
Through the project fund, Imagine Durban has set aside R70 000 to give to a school that submits a proposal that demonstrates an eagerness to incorporate sustainable development issues into the classroom.
Imagine Durban Local Project Officer Margaret McKenzie said the project fund is part of its broader programme created to support projects that inspire citizens to imagine a sustainable future for Durban.
"The committee in charge of the fund made a decision to reserve R70 000 for a schools sustainability programme, the money will help the school with a good proposal to implement their project plans," Ms McKenzie said.
She said the winning proposal will show that the school can accomplish multiple initiatives, include learners in the process to a high degree and a willingness to become an ambassador for green campus initiatives throughout the municipality.
Explaining the scoring system, Ms McKenzie said the proposals will be scored based on anticipated impact of the project, level of involvement of learners in the project, ability of the school to successfully implement and manage the project, ability to complete the project within the established timeframe 1 March to 31 May 2009.
Proposals must be received by 9 February 2009 and the successful proposal will be announced on 20 February 2009.
Ms Mckenzie said the school may choose to implement the project in-house as long as the technical capacity exists within the school staff and resources.
Alternatively, schools may seek outside guidance or implementation assistance, this assistance must be reflected in the project budget.
