Our school, Livadia Lyceum, located on the south-east coast of the island of Cyprus in the Larnaka district, has a history of floods especially after sudden and heavy rainfall. Even though the floods we have experienced in this area might not have been life-threatening or to the extent of those happening across Europe and worldwide, they have damaged properties and crops and caused inconvenience and difficulties to the residents. Therefore, as the Flood Stopping Erasmus+ project gains momentum, teachers and students at our school are beginning to shape its impact. 

The project seeks to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change and more specifically the increasing threat of floods across Europe. Equipping educators with the tools to teach flood risk management and climate adaptation enables them to empower future generations with knowledge and resilience.

For teachers at our school, the Flood Stopping project has been met with enthusiasm. Additionally, they realise the complexity of educating young people on such a multifaceted issue. Our teachers emphasise that, ‘The project is a critical tool for preparing students for the future.’

They have expressed their appreciation for the project’s diverse range of tools. The infographics, podcasts and animated learning content have helped break down the complexity of flood risks into digestible and engaging formats for students.

From the students’ perspective, the Flood Stopping project is a much-needed wake-up call. Many have mentioned, ‘newfound awareness of the risks posed by flooding and the broader impacts of climate change.’ They have come to realise that ‘Floods can affect us personally.’

Students have expressed delight about the project’s interactive components, especially that of the board game. They also like the application and explain that ‘The application has enriched our knowledge on how to deal with floods and what measures to take in case of one.’

Most importantly, however, they have learnt that we may be unable to stop the effects of climate change, but we can equip ourselves with the tools needed to mitigate risks and adapt ways to face the tragic consequences of extreme weather events.