Andratx recently showed its firm commitment to environmental education by joining a unique initiative, Energy Challenge, which continues to take its educational and environmentalist proposal to different towns in Mallorca under the slogan “Building tomorrow today”. A total of 194 children took part in the activity, which aims to convey to them in a direct and practical way the importance of clean energy production, waste separation and, in general, caring for the environment. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by the Mayor of Andratx, Estefanía Gonzalvo Guirado, together with the Councillor for Education, Magdalena Juan Pujol; the Councillor for Sports and Tourism, Lluis Antoni Sieiro Mateu; and the Councillor for the Environment, Antoni Nicolau Martín.
In front of the historic and striking building of Andratx Town Hall, two tents were set up to house the clean energy-generating bicycles, which have become a symbol of Energy. Next to these was the area dedicated to sustainable mobility, with the modern electric tricycle from the Scoobic company. With its one cubic metre capacity, it is a vehicle specially designed for “last mile mobility”, useful for urban maintenance tasks.
Next was the Espai Verd, where the plants that the participants received as a reward for their active participation were located, and a refreshment area that offered the children a snack of fresh, locally sourced fruit. In the large courtyard adjacent to the building, several Energy Challenge monitors proposed a game about waste separation to the students and encouraged them to participate in the design of what will be their mascot, inspired by the activity’s logo.
The political representatives of Andratx enthusiastically welcomed the Energy Challenge and actively participated in all the proposals. Mayor Estefanía Gonzalvo said that her assessment of the event was very positive ‘because of everything that this type of activity entails, which is also in line with what we have been working on as an administration: sustainability, the importance of sport, and highlighting everything that caring for the environment represents.’
‘We want Andratx to be a sustainable municipality, not only environmentally, but also socially and economically,’ she added, ‘and this is in line with what we are demonstrating with our schoolchildren, who are extremely important in achieving these goals.’ The mayor also commented on other aspects of municipal policy in this global strategy: “In 2026, we are going to implement a door-to-door collection system in the municipality. In terms of tourism, we are carrying out campaigns that highlight the value of our environment and encourage visitors to integrate into our habitat and take care of our natural resources as if they were citizens. We are also implementing different policies aimed at introducing electric mobility and spreading awareness of the importance of actions such as recycling and caring for nature. Hosting the Energy Challenge is another step forward in all these challenges.”
The Environment Delegate, Antoni Nicolau, expressed himself in similar terms: ‘The Energy Challenge is very positive, especially for the young people of the town. We are very aware of sustainability and we appreciate the opportunity that has been given to us.’ In general terms, he stressed that actions to promote environmental care ‘are very positive because we try to pass on any new developments to the younger generation. They are the present, but they are also the future, and if we want that future to be better, we have to count on them from the outset.’
Magdalena Juan, Councillor for Education and Culture, stated that ‘the Energy experience is very important for children and we are very happy to have it with us today. It combines education, sport and the environment. For us, it is essential to raise children’s awareness of these issues, especially now that we are about to launch a new waste collection system in the municipality, and it is important that they use it and know how to pass it on to their families.’
From his areas of Sport and Tourism, Councillor Lluis Antoni Sieiro joined in the assessment of the Energy Challenge’s visit to Andratx: ‘For us, it has a very positive impact on schools. It is a different activity, they have the opportunity to get out of the classroom, do sport on bikes and learn in a different way about issues such as caring for nature and sustainable mobility.’
As head of Tourism, he stated that ‘since 2023, we have been following a very clear line in the field of tourism. We are trying to make Andratx much more open to good environmental practices and a commitment to sustainable tourism.’ The Energy Challenge was once again made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Ajuntament de Andratx and the Conselleria d’Empresa, Ocupació i Energía of the Government of the Balearics.