Ateliere Fara Frontiere
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
Asociația Ateliere Fără Frontiere (AFF), a Romanian non-profit organization founded in 2008, is dedicated to the social, professional, and civic integration of vulnerable, excluded, and marginalized individuals. Upon joining AFF, these individuals transition from being passive recipients of social aid to becoming independent and dignified members of society. AFF empowers them to transform from marginalized individuals into active citizens, contributing positively to their communities.
Country Information
Romania faces significant environmental challenges, particularly with e-waste management and children’s environmental education. Despite EU regulations, only 30% of e-waste is properly recycled, with 70% improperly discarded or handled informally due to poor infrastructure and low public awareness.
In 2012, Romania collected just 1.2 kg of e-waste per capita, far below the 4 kg target, and by 2015, despite generating 7.3 kg per capita, the collection target remained at 6.2 kg.
Environmental education is also insufficient. The 2018 PISA assessment found over 80% of students value environmental protection, but nearly 60% feel powerless to address climate change, compared to 40% in the OECD. Save the Children Romania reported that while 78% of children want to reduce environmental damage, most feel poorly informed by their schools.
Although there are green education initiatives, more curriculum integration is needed. With only 11.3% of municipal waste recycled versus the EU average of 49.6%, Romania must address these issues to promote sustainability and empower youth for environmental change.
The Need
The Green Challenge initiative addresses two main issues: low environmental awareness and poor waste management among Romanian students. It aims to boost understanding of the circular economy, waste disposal, and recycling in Bucharest and Ilfov. Currently, only 1% of Romanians donate for reuse, and 8.4% know proper waste disposal. In Bucharest, just 10% of waste is recycled, and only 30% of students get recycling education.
The 2018 PISA assessment reveals that over 80% of Romanian students value environmental protection, but nearly 60% feel powerless against climate change, compared to 40% in the OECD. Save the Children Romania found that while 78% of Romanian children want to reduce environmental damage, they lack sufficient school information.
Despite low waste generation, Romania’s recycling rates lag behind the European average.
The Project We Fund
The Green Challenge addresses e-waste by engaging schools in a competition to collect Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). With support from Ateliere Fără Frontiere (AFF), schools organize the challenge, receiving educational materials and logistical help. Incentives like trips to bio&co farm encourage participation and promote environmental stewardship.
AFF will refurbish and donate the collected IT equipment, reducing e-waste. Community givers will assist in engaging schools, supported by AFF training. The initiative aims to foster circular economy principles and sustainable practices, empowering communities and future generations to drive positive environmental change.
The Result
The impact of the project will be measured through both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Quantitative metrics include the number of participating schools and students, the volume of WEEE collected, and the kilograms of WEEE collected along with the CO2 emissions avoided through its reuse and recycling. Qualitative metrics involve feedback from schools, students, and volunteers, an increase in awareness and understanding of waste management and circular economy principles, heightened environmental consciousness and responsibility among participants, and the empowerment of future generations in sustainable practices. Additionally, case studies and success stories will highlight the project’s impact on schools, communities, and the environment.
2025 Midterm Report
The Green Challenge initiative significantly enhanced environmental awareness and waste management in Romanian schools, directly benefiting 1,725 students and indirectly impacting 3,450 individuals, including teachers and families. The project involved a competition to collect Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), supported by Ateliere Fără Frontiere (AFF), which provided educational resources and incentives, resulting in refurbished equipment donations. This effort empowered participants with sustainable practices and fostered collaboration, driving environmental stewardship and reducing e-waste.
Testimonies
“This is the second year we are collaborating with AFF, and the children are very excited. Their curriculum already includes content related to these topics, and we help raise their awareness about the circular economy. For example, one of the classes had a dedicated session on plastic and the issues related to it. It’s a topic of great interest that we frequently discuss. We also have the Eco-Delegation, a committee for sustainable development, which includes two student representatives from the school. Therefore, Green Challenge is a project we are eager and excited to implement in our school.”
-Teacher, French International School of Bucharest-
“I really appreciated the fact that the students went home and passed on their positive energy to their parents, who encouraged them. We have a saying in our class: “Do good, and good will come to you.” We did something good for the environment, because these products won’t be thrown away — they will actually help the environment. The entire school believes in this project. It was an activity where we stood shoulder to shoulder — parents, children, and teachers — and the result was beautiful. This year, our class collected over one ton of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). The whole school promotes this important value of caring for the environment. It’s wonderful to give a second life to products that some people discard carelessly, harming the environment. It’s great that they can be reused in various ways, including through recycling. We visited AFF, where we saw how people work in different workshops, and we felt the positive energy of the place and those present. The idea is to come together, person by person, because this is how Romania can become a better place.”
-Teacher, A.I. Basarabescu Secondary School, Ploiești-
