Building a Sustainable Future in Israel

adidas and Common Goal are supporting infrastructure and educational projects 

As part of the Move For The Planet global activation from adidas and Common Goal, The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation is working on a sustainable infrastructure project in the Municipality of Tel-Aviv-Jaffa together with the The Davis-Lewis Sports, Soccer & Education Centre.

The area is multicultural but lacks public spaces and amenities. The plans are to introduce a community garden and sustainability initiatives, such as recycling containers, using air conditioning runoff for watering, and solar panels. With this, the organisation aims to foster community engagement and improve local environmental practices. 

Developing sustainable sports infrastructures:

So far, under the umbrella of the MFTP project, two new sport pitches with artificial grass and shading were installed by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality and 3 pitches refurbished with water fountains and fountain heads for promoting the use of re-usable water bottles and 8 wooden benches for team seating made from recycled wood were set up by the organisation. Additionally, 4 tree and flower planters from recycled wood as well as a community garden were installed in common spaces for gathering around the pitches. The garden features herbs for tea which can be harvested for observers/fans/parents during on-pitch activities.

Until the end of the project solar panel lighting and a hydroponic wall will be also installed.

Education on environmental sustainability and sports:    

Teaching also plays an important role in shaping ‘Shared Futures’. The project focuses on three educational tracks: 1. Green Leaders – this track will bring Arab and Jewish girls together around the shared goal to create a multicultural team that can learn and play together, and through learning these lessons on the pitch, taking them off the pitch as they become leaders in their community on issues of sustainability, sport, peace and equality. 2. Environment and Sustainability Education– this track will expose children to issues of sustainability at a younger age in order to instil good sustainability habits both (i) in children at a young age where they may be more receptive to incorporate these habits into their daily lives and (ii) to bring awareness of sustainability issues and good habits into a community that has not previously been attentive to them. 3. Parent/Child Sustainability Workshops – the workshops will strengthen the connection between the Davis-Lewis Centre and the community and introduce them to sustainability practices.