After the success and the great ideas that emerged from the first round of the sera Future Challenge, expectations were quite high this year. They were not disappointed, as the results were very impressive.

Originating in the Corona era, when we wanted to try to stay in touch with the kids and young people digitally despite all the restrictions, we are glad that we are continuing the challenge, even though we are allowed to meet again and were also able to organise a sera Handball Day this year. Based on our guiding principle „We create added value for people and the environment“, this year we encouraged primary and secondary schools in grades one to ten to take a closer look at the topic of sustainability. Together with our sponsor, national handball player Finn Lemke, we wanted to learn from the pupils how we can counteract climate change and called on the school classes to consider how they could make their school more sustainable.

In a jury meeting, we selected three first places each for primary and secondary schools. This was no easy decision, as all the entries were designed and realised with a great deal of commitment and love.
Kaulbachschule from Bad Arolsen won first place in the secondary school category. The pupils, together with their teacher Mrs Jordan, implemented a variety of projects at the school in a special way. The proceeds from a clothes flea market were used to buy and plant fruit trees and old items were reused in recycling projects. The most sustainable effect is probably the introduction of reusable lunch boxes for the cafeteria. All items sold are no longer handed out in paper bags, which avoids a lot of waste.

The Lilly-Jahn primary school in Immenhausen won first place in the primary school competition with its project to build bat nesting boxes. Together with an expert, the pupils first studied the topic of bats and learnt a lot about the animals themselves and their habitat. Afterwards, the little bat fans were able to screw together and paint nesting boxes. Some of the nesting boxes were sold at a school Christmas market so that the proceeds could be used to realise new ideas, and we visited the winning schools together with our sponsor Finn Lemke to present them with the cash prize and vouchers for an MT Melsungen home game.

Once again, we would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who took part. No idea was in vain, because only together can we all come a step closer to the goal of a more sustainable future.
We are already looking forward to the entries for the next sera Future Challenge 2024.