From consciousness to collective action: research on the factors that promote the development of Educational Environmental Projects

Abstract

This study explores the crucial transition from individual environmental awareness to collective action through the development of educational environmental projects in Maracaibo. Key factors for the success of these initiatives are identified and analyzed, including participatory pedagogical strategies, the role of institutional leadership, curricular integration, and community partnerships. The central argument is that leveraging these factors is fundamental to achieving meaningful practical intervention in urban green spaces and strengthening the social fabric, thereby building a more sustainable and resilient Maracaibo. The methodology employed was the phenomenological method within the qualitative paradigm, seeking to describe the lived meanings of environmental awareness in the daily lives of eight university administration students at UNERMB. However, the results concluded that the weakness lies in unstable implementation and a lack of systemic support, as high levels of awareness are diluted in sporadic initiatives and projects that collapse due to intermittent leadership, weak curricular articulation, and dependence on external resources, thus hindering long-term, systemic transformation.