Blue Community Schools

Raised:

$110,439

Goal:

$150,000

Blue Community Schools provides educators and students with hands-on learning materials, lesson plans, and action projects that make water protection real and relevant. From exploring their local watersheds to leading campaigns to eliminate bottled water in schools, students become active participants in protecting this essential resource.

The world is running out of clean, accessible water. The United Nations warns that within ten years, global demand for water will exceed supply by 40%. Already AI’s projected water usage could hit 6.6 billion m³ by 2027.

Yet there is hope: if we act now, we can educate and empower young people to join in creating a water-secure future for everyone, everywhere.

“Blue Community Schools”, a joint project between Small Change Fund and Council of Canadians, is an educational program that seeks to teach students about water protection and the human right to water. Schools become “Blue Certified” by committing to banning or phasing out the sale of bottled water and supporting the human right to water and sanitation after completing curriculum-based activities on water rights and conservation. The initiative aims to create a new generation of water advocates by providing resources, lesson plans, and a framework for school-wide action. 

Program goals:

    • Educate students on the importance of water as a human right and a shared resource.
    • Teach about the global and local water crisis and conservation efforts.
    • Provide teachers with educational tools, lesson plans, books, and videos.
    • Engage students in meaningful discussions and activities to foster a sense of water stewardship.

    How schools become “Blue Certified”:

    • Take a pledge: Commit to educate about water and the need to protect it.
    • Ban bottled water: Ban or phase out the sale of bottled water on school grounds.
    • Recognize: Water and sanitation as universal Human rights.