The potential of free‐choice learning for environmental participation in Greece

Abstract

Citizen participation in environmental decision‐making is of extreme importance in securing a good quality of life. Local communities know best what alternate solutions should be implemented for appropriate management of their area. This paper presents findings about the environmental characteristics of various Greek citizens’ groups, where respondents’ abilities and willingness to participate in environmental issues governance in relation to their free‐choice learning context was analyzed. The results indicate that participants desire access to an appropriate non‐formal/informal environmental education that will enable them to enhance their knowledge and acquire skills for critical thinking and active participation.