As part of my academic exchange at Škoda University, I participated in a sustainability consulting project focused on helping local Czech businesses implement practical and long-term sustainable solutions while also addressing cost-efficiency and low profitability challenges.
Our project involved collaboration with several small businesses in the region, including a pizza shop, a flower shop, and a botanical garden—the latter of which was my primary focus area.
My Contribution – Botanical Garden
Working with the botanical garden, our team developed an action plan aimed at improving both ecological responsibility and financial resilience. Key proposals included:
- Starter kits for planting to promote local engagement and generate new revenue streams.
- Educational programs for children focused on recycling awareness and environmental stewardship.
- Implementation of an on-site biogas system to handle organic waste and produce renewable energy for the facility.
- Creation of natural ecosystems such as beehives to support biodiversity and provide natural pollination services.
Cross-Business Collaboration
Our team also facilitated inter-business collaboration to reinforce circular economy practices. For example, coffee waste from the local café was proposed as a compost input for the botanical garden. These kinds of synergies allowed us to propose cost-effective, low-barrier sustainability loops among the participating businesses.
After the final presentations, the ideas and materials were shared with the stakeholders.
This experience allowed me to apply classroom sustainability concepts in a real-world context, enhancing my understanding of environmental economics, stakeholder engagement, and the importance of practical innovation in small-business ecosystems.
Javeria
