News / Sustainability
Sparks wins global sustainability award
Broadmead’s ‘living classroom’ has staved of competition from nearly 300 other projects across 70 countries to win an award for its sustainability education work.
Sparks Bristol is run by the Global Goals Centre in partnership with Artspace Lifespace, a charity dedicated to forging creative spaces, and making artistic activity affordable and accessible.
The sustainable education hub welcomes around 9,000 visitors to its alternative department store and creative workshop space every week.
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The project has been awarded the Okayama Education for Sustainable Development Award, based on its engagement with schools and the public that is designed to inspire collective action on climate and social justice.
Sparks is a Broadmead shopping experience with a difference, with departments dedicated to nature, transport, travel, energy and ethical shopping as well as creative workshop and co-working spaces – photo: Sparks Bristol
Established in the former M&S building, Sparks houses vintage clothes and ethical gift shops, repair cafes, green energy and travel advice hubs, and artistic celebrations of the natural world.
It also hosts regular talks and events on everything from sustainable transport to music, world cuisine and upcycling.
In the 18 months since opening, 2,839 young people have taken part in its workshops on issues such as fast fashion, migration and biodiversity, as well green skills careers workshops.
It is designed to operate as a living classroom where learners can see in real time the ways in which individuals, local traders, artists and institutions are attempting to tackle current environmental and sustainability challenges.
The judges recognised the way the Global Goals Centre’s model for education has created strong partnerships between communities, educational institutions and the private and public sectors, an approach which will enable them to better face the issues of inequality and environmental collapse in a positive way.
Global Goals co-director, Manu Maunganidze, will be in Japan to receive the award and share the Sparks Bristol model with delegates at the Education for Sustainability Conference on November 23.
Sparks is planning what they say will be an exciting Earth Day Heroes event for schools on Earth Day (April 22) 2025 with local nature campaigner, Mya-Rose Craig – aka Birdgirl. To register interest email workshops@sparksbristol.co.uk
Main image: Jon Caig
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