Logic of ecology

About this project

<p>The aim of the project is to engage 600 young people, vocational schools' students in the Mazovian and Lublin provinces, in shaping local environmental protection programmes. Groups of young people develop solutions to local environmental problems and present them as prototypes, models and concepts, which will be later showcast during public presentations and meetings to summarise the project. The solutions developed by young people will be recommended for use in local environmental protection programmes. The problem addressed by the project is the insufficient knowledge and environmental awareness of young people. They learn about environmental problems and needs primarily through original programmes, competitions, social campaigns or various environmental events. Our experience shows that young people understand the need for pro-environmental actions and behaviours, but lack the ability of their critical evaluation. For example, they are able to come up with alternative methods of charging their phone, but the solutions they create turn out to be much more energy-consuming. Young people often lack the ability to think critically about ecology and a sense of responsibility for the impact that human activity has on the environment. This is why we are also conducting educational activities as part of the project in the form of a series of workshops on environmental awareness, climate responsibility and democratic tools for public participation. The project involves building teams that are ready for the challenges of the future. We use an interdisciplinary approach, involve different audiences (young people, educators, local governments, NGOs) and focus on finding solutions in a creative way.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The partner of the Polish Children and Youth Foundation in the “Logic of Ecology” project was NewSchool from Oslo (NS). NS is an agency dealing with education design. It was established in 2015. It specializes in designing processes of development and learning of young people, educating trainers and coaches of creative and interdisciplinary education. The “Logic of Ecology” project adopted a similar method of work to that used by the Norwegian partner in its programs. In the first stage, the focus was on preparing trainers and coaches, who then work with groups of young people. The Norwegian partner describes its work method as the so-called “open education”. It is based primarily on the assumption that in the educational process the trainer not only transfers knowledge, but also leads the group process. The lesson plans developed in the first period of the project implementation take into account a similar assumption. In addition, NewSchool programs often emphasize interdisciplinarity and the relationship of the developed solutions with local challenges. This aspect of the NS work methodology was also reflected in “Logic of Ecology”. Projects, solutions, prototypes developed by the project participants concerned local problems in the field of environmental protection and ecology and required prior observation, analysis, or interview. Study visits were held: NS and Poland and Polish trainers in Oslo. The program prepared by the Norwegian partner, NewSchool, included, among others, a visit to a vocational school, a presentation of the vocational education system in Norway, a workshop on the so-called natural education and a design thinking workshop.

Project partners

• Newschool AS Donor project partner· Norway