First graduates of online course “Healthy and sustainable nutrition” got their certificates

From May 1, till June 16, in Ukraine an online course took place named “Healthy and sustainable nutrition”. Video lessons about how to choose healthy food, process it without harm for environment and with minimal waste were brought by NGO “Ekoltava” together with well-known Ukrainian biologist, author of “Optimistically on health”, Darka Ozerna, during last one and a half month. 

“The idea itself is rather new for Ukraine. There is plenty of information about healthy nutrition, but it has not been considered as a part of sustainable development and environment protection. The selected expert has managed to combine these issues harmoniously and logically, to create conditions for personal growth of participants which will become agents of change in their hromadas. What is more rejoicing, we debunk the social networks myth of healthy diet consisting of super-foods, expensive and mostly delivered from far away. Whereas sustainable nutrition involves cooking healthy and delicious stuff of local products with balanced environmental impact”, – comments online-course coordinator, Maryna Sadkina.

50 most motivated applicants were selected for participation. During the following 6 weeks they have been mastering sustainable nutrition skills, theory, passing tests, and doing practical assignments. Every participant had his/her own pace. The interaction between them and the organizers was possible via specialized chat. There the participants could ask relevant questions, get technical consultations on how to work in the website, and share with others their own useful sustainable practices.

“Every week, we gave our participants extra testing and practical assignments via chat. For instance, one day we asked about segregation of waste. Do they sort garbage? How exactly? In response, we have got numerous messages and pictures, so the participants shared in this way their experience in managing domestic waste. Another time we asked about dishes from components of previous meals. The reaction was impetuous as well, the participants have shared their tricks and methods. We’ve appreciated it very much”, – accounts communication manager, NGO “Ekoltava”, Kristina Brihida.

Recently, the final webinar took place, a sort of graduation party. There the participants shared their thoughts on training, gave recommendations on course improvement, and even told about the use of obtained knowledge. One student told about a library event devoted to principles of healthy diet. The participants were children aged 6-10. 

“This course for me is a novelty, utterly exciting. I work as a tutor in kindergarten. I was aware of sustainable development, but not of sustainable nutrition. Thanks to the course I have learned more about its principles. Using leftovers has become a revelation, as I have never come think of it before. But your course and your speaker turned out game changers and what’s more – I bring these tips to life”, – shares her impressions one of the participants, Liudmyla.

“A course by Darka Ozerna has changed my life. I do not see food as a pastime anymore, but as a tool to protect my health and the planet. I feel more lively and robust, and I have made a sober choice to stick to healthy diet. I recommend the course to anyone willing to change the attitude towards foodstuff and join the movement for sustainable development. Darka Ozerna is a top tutor, she helps broaden the outlook and transfer to healthy, ecological and sparing consumption”, – writes the participant Oleksandr on his social network page.

The participants that have successfully completed the online course got their certificates. But what’s more substantial – they got knowledge and skills in sustainable nutrition and they will use it in their everyday life. 

The online course is developed within project Austausch e.V. “Promotion of climate education in Eastern Europe”, implemented by NGO “Ekoltava” in Ukraine under support from German Ministry of foreign affairs.