One-hundred and twelve students learned how to be environmentally friendly and save energy at ENERGEL summer camp 

For ten days, in a camp located in the heart of Moldovan forests, 112 students aged 15 to 17 learned about the benefits of renewable energy and the sustainable use of resources.

They were participants in the ENERGEl summer camp, run by Gutta-Club with the support of the programme «Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in Moldova», funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Moldova. The camp took place in two shifts: 29 July — 8 August and 11 — 21 August.

Students are now equipped to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle, saving energy, recycling waste and urging their family and friends to do the same.

The camp programme included a visit to Moldova’s largest photovoltaic park—a $4 million investment in the Criuleni district, and a sanitation activity in Răculești village.

The children calculated their own climate footprints and put on a climate-themed show. They also took part in practical workshops on reusing objects.

On 17 August, the young participants in the second round of the camp held an Open Day, where they presented prototypes of eco-friendly devices to guests, using materials such as bottles decorated with cloth and rope, paper, etc. 

A young inventor from the village of Boldurești, Nisporeni district, presented a prototype demonstrating the transmission of energy through a single wire, trying to repeat the experiments of the famous Nikola Tesla at the end of the 19th century. This mode of energy transmission would cut transport costs substantially. 

«Programs that reinforce our knowledge and make us eco-responsible are very important, especially since the trainings were interactive and interesting. Now we will be able to promote this knowledge in our communities and in our daily lives. Every step we take counts and the planet depends on our efforts,» said Vitalina Rusu from Sculeni village, Ungheni district.

Mihai Grecu presented to colleagues at the ENERGEL camp a design for a mobile photovoltaic system that changes position according to the movement of the sun, thus increasing the efficiency of the installation. Photovoltaic panels are used to recharge batteries, electrical devices, etc.

«Photovoltaic panels are increasingly popular in the Republic of Moldova, but most of them are fixed on roofs or on the ground. If they were equipped with such photo elements, a relay and an electric motor, they would automatically change their position in relation to the sun and operate all day long at high efficiency,» explains Mihai Grecu.

“It is a pleasure to visit the ENERGEL Summer Camp, that radiates energy and enthusiasm. This camp’s emphasis on energy and environmental topics is timely. The engagement I see underscores your understanding of the urgent need to address global environmental challenges. Your abilities to channel this understanding into such expressive forms of engineering is truly commendable. Each piece tells a story, reflecting on the green energy transition and your potential role in it. Both science and creativity are powerful tools for change, and your works have the potential to ignite conversations and inspire action in the realm of green energy transition,” said Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

«My generation did too little to prevent climate change, and now you have the task of catching up. But at this camp, I saw a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge. I am confident that you, young people, future citizens of the European Union, will succeed in saving our planet from global warming. The European Union, a leader in the fight against climate change, will continue to stand by you,» said Solomon Ioannou, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

«In recent years, energy has been associated with high tariffs and crises. But the energy of the future is green and sustainable, and technologies are evolving so fast that they become affordable in a short time. The Ministry of Energy has set an ambitious target of becoming the first carbon-neutral developing country by 2050. We are a small country, and with your enthusiasm and knowledge, this is possible,» said Constantin Borosan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy.

The ENERGEL Summer Camp is in its ninth edition and was started in 2011 with the support of the EU and UNDP.