The Taiwan-U.S. Eco-Campus Partnership Program (EPP) seeks to build a clean and healthy living environment by providing schools with a systematic tool to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), implement environmentally friendly actions, and engage with their local community.

Participating schools conduct self assessments using the seven-step Eco-School framework to implement the EPP at their school and receive recognition with Bronze, Silver, and Green Flags based on their performance. These seven steps are: 1)  Form an Eco-Action Team, 2) Conduct a Pathway to Sustainability Audit, 3) Create an Eco-Action Plan, 4) Monitor and Evaluate Progress, 5) Link to Existing Curriculum, 6) Involve the Community, and 7) Create an Ecological Regulation or an Eco-Code. To be considered for a Green Flag, the top honor, an on-campus assessment from three external reviews is required in addition to the Bronze and Silver Flag requirements. 

On December 21, 2022, an award ceremony in Yilan celebrated the collaboration of the Taiwan EPA, Ministry of Education, National Wildlife Federation, and U.S. EPA on the Eco-Campus Partnership, and recognize the schools that were qualified for the Eco-Campus program. 

This year, 8 schools were awarded the Green Flag, 23 schools were awarded the Silver, and 67 schools were awarded the Bronze. 

Hushan Experimental Elementary School obtained its fourth Green Flag, becoming Taiwan's first permanent Eco-Campus school. Hushan Experimental Elementary School's core philosophy is that "children are the masters of learning," cultivating children to actively care for the environment, engage in environmental actions and independent research, and provide opportunities for learning civic literacy.

This year’s award ceremony, themed "Songs of the Four Seasons," kicked off by the heartening natural voices of the students. The school shared its developmental process and experiences, providing opportunities for discussion and learning. In the afternoon, speakers were invited to lead the participants to sing together. Participants enjoyed this beautiful, eventful day!

Watch the Event Highlights Video! 

For more information, read the GEEP case study Building Sustainable Communities Through the Taiwan-U.S. Eco-Campus Partnership Program!