Tadweer Group’s hands-on workshops bring the Four Rs
The second edition of Tadweer Group’s National Day Schools Campaign builds firmly on the success of last year’s inaugural programme, which reached thousands of students and earned the GovMedia Award for Best National Sustainability Campaign.
As Tadweer’s first nationwide initiative of its kind, the campaign introduced children to the Four Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover, through hands-on workshops, creative activities, and interactive games.
“One of our biggest insights was the importance of widening our reach,” explains Abdulwahed Juma, Executive Director of Communications and Awareness.
“This year, we expanded from 9 to 13 schools reaching 8,200 students and engaged a broader range of communities, including a Spanish curriculum school and a school for People of Determination.”
The activities themselves have evolved too, featuring more timed games, brighter visuals, and interactive materials designed to spark creativity while reinforcing sustainability messages in ways that resonate with different learning styles.
Designing activities for every learner
With a programme that spans international schools, mainstream institutions, and settings for People of Determination, customisation has been essential.
Tadweer collaborates directly with each school to understand student needs, preferred learning formats, and available facilities.
“We tailor every activity,” Abdulwahed notes. “Some schools favour arts and crafts, others prefer more physical or sensory-based learning.
“For our school for Children of Determination, we curated activities like sadu weaving, pot painting, and fan colouring – ensuring an inclusive, accessible, and joyful experience for all.”
By adapting formats, pacing, and sensory input, the campaign ensures that every child, regardless of age, ability, or background can meaningfully engage with sustainability.
Why hands-on learning works
Interactivity is central to Tadweer’s educational philosophy. Through recycling games, creative workshops, and collaborative art pieces, children learn not just by listening but by doing.
“Hands-on experiences help students understand why waste matters and how they can make a difference,” says Abdulwahed.
Activities are built around the Four Rs, allowing children to experiment, make mistakes, problem-solve, and discover sustainable habits through real action – not abstract theory.
This “edutainment” model also creates positive emotional memories, making sustainability something students feel connected to and proud of. “We want these lessons to stick,” Abdulwahed adds “both in school and at home.”
New additions that deepen understanding
This year’s programme introduces several new elements, including National Day – themed crafts such as sadu making and expanded art-based activities.
These were inspired by last year’s findings, which showed that colourful, tactile experiences were especially engaging for younger learners.
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Students also receive updated eco-friendly gifts, such as Rubik’s cubes and tic-tac-toe sets made from recycled materials, designed to extend learning beyond the classroom.
“These items become gentle reminders of the sustainability principles students explored during the activities,” Juma says. “Bringing them home helps create continuity and reinforces the campaign’s long-term message.”
Tadweer also broadened its school partnerships this year, celebrating the UAE’s cultural diversity and deepening the campaign’s reach across linguistic and community groups.
The role of influencers in reaching young audiences
This year, eleven influencers – from child creators to well-known UAE-based content figures – joined the campaign. Their role is simple but powerful: to amplify sustainability messages in ways that feel relatable and accessible to children and families.
“Influencers help us connect with younger audiences and show the human side of what we do,” Abdulwahed explains. By engaging a diverse group representing multiple nationalities and age groups, the campaign mirrors the UAE’s inclusive spirit.
Influencers are carefully selected based on authenticity, positive values, and meaningful engagement with their audiences.
“It’s vital their messaging aligns with our principles,” he note. “We choose partners who genuinely want to inspire responsible behaviour and contribute to community-wide change.”
Supporting the UAE’s sustainability agenda
The campaign aligns closely with national priorities, particularly as the UAE continues to lead on global climate discussions, reduce single-use plastics, and promote environmental stewardship as part of its long-term vision.
“National Day is the perfect moment to highlight the link between sustainability, national pride, and shared responsibility,” the team reflects. The campaign also honours the UAE’s founding values, rooted in environmental conservation and respect for nature.
Schools, they believe, play a foundational role: “Children are the cornerstone of our future. When sustainability becomes part of their everyday learning, and when they share those messages with their families, we see a ripple effect that leads to long-term cultural change.”
Beyond National Day: Sustaining momentum year-round
Tadweer emphasises that the National Day campaign is part of a wider year-round educational effort.
The organisation continues to engage students and schools through community programmes designed to reinforce sustainable thinking as an everyday practice.
“Sustainability is a shared responsibility,” comments Abdukwahed. “One child, one action, can spark a chain reaction.” Long-term education not only supports the national circular economy but also makes responsible waste habits a normal part of society.
“Our aim is simple: teach the younger generation today, and we build a more sustainable future for everyone.”
For further information, visit tadweer.ae
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