2026 Asia-Pacific Youth Environmental Education Training Course Brochure

I. Activity Objectives

Adhering to the core spirit of "Global Vision, Local Action," this workshop aims to deepen Taiwan's leadership role in environmental education within the Asia-Pacific region and actively respond to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using Taiwan as a starting point, we will guide participants to deeply analyze local environmental issues and global ecological threats, thereby inspiring innovative capabilities and concrete actions to solve environmental crises.

In the pursuit of 2050 net-zero emissions, we focus not only on end-of-pipe waste treatment but also on resource consumption at the source. Taking the highly globally traded coffee industry as an example, its hidden "water footprint" crisis is an issue that cannot be ignored: producing 1 liter of liquid coffee entails a water footprint of up to 140 liters. As climate change intensifies, coffee-producing regions face severe water shortage challenges, gravely threatening ecological balance and farmers' livelihoods. This makes the efficient use and fair distribution of water resources the core of industrial sustainability.

Combining the "Lifestyle Transition" and "Zero Waste, Low-Carbon Diet, Food Reuse, Recycling, and Circular Recovery" policies of "Taiwan's 2050 Net-Zero Transition," this course will begin by addressing resource depletion at the planting stage and further focus on the issue of 111,000 metric tons of coffee grounds generated annually from Taiwan's consumption of over 3.7 billion cups of coffee.

Themed [The Perfect Blend: The Perfect Circular Chain of the Coffee Industry], the workshop will share how Taiwan realizes practical actions "from policy to product" through public-private partnerships to address food waste issues. We will deeply explore how the Resource Circulation Administration of the Ministry of Environment harmonizes regulations and integrates with the convenience store reverse logistics system to establish a stable recycling chain. Furthermore, through the "Plant-Based Residue Sustainable Management Platform," participants will learn how coffee grounds are transformed into high-value products such as functional fabrics and cosmetics, jointly building a net-zero circular ecosystem extending from coffee to tea and fruit residues, conveying Taiwan's practical strength of moving from resource depletion to renewable circulation to the world.

II. Organizers

• Organizer: Ministry of Environment (MOENV)
• Implementer: Friendly Seed Co., Ltd.

III. Activity Dates

August 10 (Monday) to August 11 (Tuesday), 2026 (2 Days, 1 Night).

IV. Activity Locations

1. Course & Outdoor Learning: Come True Coffee (Taichung Shenji Branch), Weilai Better Life Service Co., Ltd. (Changhua Guocun Coffee Estate).
2. Course Classrooms: National Hotel Taichung, Changhua City Farmers' Association Promotion Classroom.

V. Target Audience & Qualifications

The primary target audience is students from Asia-Pacific countries studying in Taiwan; secondary targets include domestic and international youth interested in environmental education. Priority is given to first-time applicants. The organizer will review qualifications upon registration and select the final participants.

1. International students currently enrolled in Taiwanese colleges/universities, in accordance with the Ministry of Education's "Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan."
2. Finalists of the MOENV Environmental Youth Leaders program, or domestic college/university students (including master's and doctoral students) in environment-related departments or interested in the field. Must provide English proficiency test documents as proof.
3. Young practitioners in Taiwan's environmental education field. Must provide English proficiency test documents as proof.

VI. Number of Participants

Expected to admit 30 international students and 5 youth participants (domestic students and environmental education practitioners), totaling 35 participants. Waitlist admissions may be considered based on actual registration.

VII. Registration Method & Time

1. Online Registration: https://reurl.cc/3kZo5M
2. Registration is open from May 15, 2026 (Friday) to June 15, 2026 (Monday). Within 5 working days after the deadline, the admission list will be announced on the GEEP APRC website, and admission notices will be sent via e-mail.

VIII. Course Deposit

To avoid the waste of resources, an "Attendance Confirmation Deposit" will be collected and refunded after the event concludes.

1. Upon receiving the admission notice, participants must pay a deposit of NT$1,000 by the specified date. Those who fully participate will receive a cash refund on the last day. Failure to pay by the deadline will result in the cancellation of eligibility. The deposit is non-refundable for non-attendance or partial attendance.
2. It is recommended to pay via "passbook-free deposit" at Taipei Fubon Bank and note your name on the receipt. Any extra transaction fees from interbank transfers must be borne by the participant.

3. After paying the deposit, please e-mail the payment proof and confirmation form to complete the registration process.
4. Course resources are limited. If you are unable to attend, please notify the implementer by July 13, 2026 (Monday) to allow waitlist substitution. A NT$30 remittance fee will be deducted for refunds; cancellations made after the deadline are non-refundable.

IX. Activity Fees

Costs for courses, meals, accommodations, and event shuttles are covered by the organizer. However, transportation to and from the initial shuttle meeting point is at the participant's own expense.

X. Precautions

• Please read relevant materials regarding food waste processing and circular economy applications prior to the event.
• The implementer complies with the Personal Data Protection Act to ensure data security.
• Participants agree to full event photo and video recording by the organizer, authorized for future educational promotion and global marketing purposes.
• Meals are provided; please note any dietary requirements upon registration and bring your own eco-friendly cup and utensils.
• The hotel only provides towels. Please bring your own toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, slippers, etc.).
• To ensure quality and reduce carbon footprints, please utilize the arranged event shuttles.
• Please provide your Line ID during registration to join the designated workshop group.
• In case of force majeure such as typhoons causing government-announced work/class suspensions, the organizer reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event.
• The organizer reserves the right to adjust the event format and content schedule.

XI. Contact Information

• Department of Environmental Protection, MOENV: Ms. Kuo, 02-2311-7722 ext. 2706, ihkuo@moenv.gov.tw
• Friendly Seed Co., Ltd.:
  Ms. Chen 02-23680603, maple@friendlyseed.com.tw
  Ms. Chiu 07-7778047, wild.eleanor@friendlyseed.com.tw

XII. Course Objectives & Schedule

Based on "Inspire, Create, Practice," the core objective is to enhance understanding of Taiwan's environmental education and actions, encouraging participants to translate these experiences into addressing local environmental issues in their home countries. The five core objectives are:

1. Understand recent key environmental issues in the Asia-Pacific region and Taiwan.
2. Recognize the promotion of environmental education in the Asia-Pacific region and Taiwan.
3. Explore innovative strategies in Taiwan's environmental actions.
4. Reference Taiwan's local environmental actions/education programs and share applicable practices for home countries.
5. Experience Taiwan's environmental education venues and community action programs.

Day 1 Course Schedule (August 10, Monday)

Day 2 Course Schedule (August 11, Tuesday)

XIII. Course Description

(I) GEEP APRC: Taiwan's Role in Global Environmental Education Partnerships

The Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) was launched in 2014 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Taiwan Ministry of Environment, and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). GEEP is committed to promoting environmental education globally, aiming to create a fairer, more sustainable future. Environmental education is a driving force for circular economy concepts, transforming traditional linear thinking to redesign production and consumption processes.

(II) Field Visits & Environmental Education Experience

• 1. Come True Coffee (Shenji Branch)

  Founded in 2015 with the mission to "let coffee circulate a better world," it is Taiwan's first B-Corp certified coffee company. They pledge to donate 50% of their profits to the "Water to Africa" project, assisting with well construction and hygiene education in Africa.

• 2. Weilai Better Life Service Co., Ltd. (Changhua Guocun Coffee Estate)

  A social enterprise dedicated to "waste circular regeneration," heavily focused on the coffee industry's resource recycling. Regarded as a successful case study of combining agricultural material regeneration with green technology in Taiwan, the visit includes DIY activities utilizing recycled coffee grounds.