Description
"This project is a response to the problem of minimal roles played by schools in instilling the culture of active citizenship and lack of discrimination. A civic education and anti-discrimination programme will be launched in 4 schools in the Lublin area to develop a platform for pro-active and self-defined youth activity in the local community and online. Participants will propose their own ideas for community initiatives and the communities will vote online to select the best of them to be actually implemented by young people. The project will train 144 young leaders (students) and 24 teachers so that the activities can continue beyond the timeframe of this project. The Foundation is currently implementing a similar programme in 6 schools in the area, and this project will add to and enrich this activity and increase the number of participating schools to 10. A partner from Norway will provide some resources and will run some of the workshops."
Summary of project results
"Gallup's Young Europeans study (2012) suggests that only 9 per cent of young (15-30) Poles are involved in charitable activities and only 16 per cent volunteer their time. This approach results in strong self-centrism and a weak sense of citizenship; neighbourhood relations are becoming much weaker and distrust towards government institutions is growing much stronger. According to information available to the Foundation, no organisation in the Lublin Province offers a long-term civic or anti-discrimination education programme to schools. The main goal of the project was to develop citizenship and anti-discrimination attitudes among youth by engaging with schools and local communities. Twelve youth leader groups were formed in 4 schools in the Lublin Province; they facilitate community and anti-discrimination activities in schools and communities. A civic and anti-discrimination education programme was developed and is now implemented in four schools in the Lublin Province. Young people attended workshops focused on civic and discriminatory attitudes. Young people implemented 120 community initiatives for 14,768 beneficiaries. Project beneficiaries included middle and high school students in the Lublin Province. The project was implemented in partnership with youth choir Spurven Tensing from Norway. Members of the choir are involved in a range of activities that fight against prejudice, encourage youth citizenship, also for young people from socially excluded communities. The partner presented its civic education and anti-discrimination experience during a workshop in Poland. Moreover, members of the choir participated in online initiatives developed by Polish youth groups."
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with a Norwegian organisation was extremely valuable for this project as it provided a brand new perspective on youth civic education. The partner provided technical support and facilitated a workshop for Polish students and teachers about the Norwegian approach to civic education and fight against discrimination. Norwegian experts explained the methodologies used by schools and community organisations in Norway. Young participants asked many questions about the open-mindedness and tolerance towards other nationalities in Norway. Polish youth also asked pastimes and hobbies of young Norwegians and the education system in Norway. Most importantly, the partner's approach was adopted in the project thus providing valuable learning both to participants and the Foundation. The partner's participation in the project added value; the partner shared its experience in civic education and fight against discrimination. The organisations expect to work together in future projects.