Description
"The main goal of the project is to encourage civic attitudes among youth aged 13-18 in selected communities in the Kłodzko Valley. The project will guide youth groups in 7 schools (5 middle schools and 2 high schools) from theory through workshops and meetings themed around environment, human rights, tolerance and global responsibility towards action. Supported by the Foundation and a broad spectrum of its partners, youth will contribute to various community activities. By the end of the project we want to get to the stage where young people will design and implement their own initiatives. We trust the process will be a major stepping stone and an adventure for young people to become active community members. We hope it will provide evidence for the value of caring. A more engaged youth will help all of us make a difference in the Kłodzko Valley."
Summary of project results
"The County Kłodzko Development Strategy for 2008-2015 points out to a dwindling number of individuals who volunteer in community organisations, are ready to engage in new projects or are informed citizens. This is especially true of young people and it is vital that local initiatives are proposed to make a difference in the Kłodzko valley. The project aimed at raising the level of public involvement by helping to establish several groups of pro-active young people who could learn to identify local needs and implement local community projects. Such groups were formed in several towns in the Count and a relationship was built with an organisation in Czechia that annually organises an event addressing human rights, global issues and environmental challenges. Workshops and meetings for children and youth were held in 7 schools and some of them involved local leaders and local government officials. Seven initiatives designed by young people were implemented for the benefit of about 1,000 individuals. Project participants presented the outcomes of the project at a Polish and Czech youth participation conference. Project beneficiaries were children and youth in the Kłodzko Valley. The project was implemented in partnership with the Norwegian Church Aid which was responsible for organising the ""ChangeMaker"" youth seminar and cover the costs of participants from Poland. Other partners included schools w Kudowa-Zdrój, Duszniki-Zdrój, Szczytna and Lewin Kłodzki. The Fundus Glacensis Association helped with the organisation and the local libraries in Szczytna and Kudowa-Zdrój co-orgnised meetings and encourage youth participation in local projects. Last but not least, the Občanské sdružení Julinka Association from Czechia co-organised activities and workshops for Polish and Czech youth."
Summary of bilateral results
"The project was implemented with Norwegian Church Aid which was responsible for organising the ChangeMaker youth seminar and covered the expenses for Polish participants. The ChangeMaker seminar was held on 12-14 February 2016 in Oslo, Norway. Over 150 participants from 7 countries discussed climate change, global threats to our planet and opportunities for youth collaboration to improve the environment. There was a presentation on good leadership and the control of weapon proliferation and trade. The trip was a major life experience for five Polish participants. The Change Maker was an opportunity to make new friends, gain new knowledge, learn the different perspectives on issues and observe how an organisation may operate in a different country. The fact that there are no major differences, the open-mindedness of Norwegians, the widespread command of English in Norway and the trip itself help young people from Poland realise the wider world is within reach and is not necessarily beyond comprehension as it might look at the first glance. They have seen and hopefully understood that they are part of the contemporary world and learning more about it is highly enriching. "