More information
Description
According to the development strategy for Łódzkie Voivodeship, people living in this region are rarely engaging in civic initiatives, have a low interest in collaboration efforts and low sense of responsibility for their environment. Our observations suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic only deepened these social problems. We would like to address them by engaging scouts from Łódzkie Voivodeship in initiatives focused on their area and community. It is a group that exhibits above-average involvement and civic engagement and can encourage other citizens from their hometowns to participate in local projects with its activities. We will conduct a series of workshops for the scout leaders that will prepare them to take their teams and prepare educational activities focused on balanced local development, designing social projects, and discussing climate change. As part of the implementation of the micro-projects, the youth will be able to create partnerships with other groups that are active in their area. To make our children and youth aware of the nature of our global problems, we will be employing a method of storytelling – we will pass along true stories from the World Changers from around the globe, those working to address the global issues. That way we will show that anyone can change the world, we will encourage searching for areas where changes may be needed and will inspire creative thinking. Our project will be aided by a textbook for scout leaders that is full of inspiring stories, tips on different methods, and knowledge necessary to implement civic initiatives. We will also design a board game about the World Changers that will be distributed to younger and older scouts from Łódzkie Voivodeship (it will also be published in an online version, available for download and printing at home). The game will support global education, promote civic engagement, and teach cooperation and dialogue.
Summary of project results
According to the Strategy for the Development of the Łódzkie Voivodeship, people living in this region are not very engaged in social and civic activities, have a low willingness to cooperate, and a low sense of responsibility for their surroundings. From our observations, it is evident that the pandemic period has deepened these social problems. In response, we engaged scouts from the Łódzkie Voivodeship in activities for the benefit of their communities. This group demonstrates above-average social activity and can encourage and involve other residents in local projects through their actions.We conducted a series of workshops for troop leaders, preparing them to implement educational activities in their groups and troops related to sustainable development, climate change, and the creation of social projects. As part of the implementation of their planned micro-projects, the youth established local partnerships with other active groups. They successfully carried out 250 projects, including initiatives related to ecology (forest cleaning in Artówek), and support for local communities (sewing and distributing masks during the pandemic, organizing collections of necessary items for refugees).To raise awareness among children and youth about the importance of global issues, we used storytelling as our main method. We shared authentic stories of changemakers from different parts of the world—individuals taking local action in response to global problems. This approach demonstrated that everyone could make a difference, encouraged them to identify areas where change is worth pursuing, and inspired them to take creative action. The project was supported by a handbook for scout leaders, filled with inspiring stories of changemakers, methodological tips, and knowledge necessary for carrying out social projects. We also developed a board game about changemakers, which was distributed to the youngest scouts and older scouts in the Łódzkie Voivodeship (it was also made available online for download and self-printing).Thanks to these activities, approximately 4,000 residents of the Łódzkie Voivodeship have increased their knowledge of sustainable development and social engagement. Through the conception, preparation, and implementation of mini-projects, members of the Scout District have become aware of their capabilities and have developed a greater sense of agency. They have understood that with enough willingness, everyone can contribute and make a difference.
.
.