Great climate
Basic information
Project Title
Great climate
Full project title
Great climate. Young people from three countries plant trees in the border triangle.
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The project uses innovative methods, incorporating new media and communication technologies and a new type of funding, to help solve 2 of the most pressing problems of the future: climate protection and forest conservation. More than 1000 young people from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic took part in the project, including numerous young people with disabilities. A total of around 35 hectares of forest were planted in the process, about a third each on the German, Polish and Czech sides.
Geographical Scope
Regional
Project Region
Border triangle Germany, Poland Czech Republic, Germany
Urban or rural issues
Mainly rural
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Overall objective
The project brought together young people from different nations and educated them about the environmental situation in their region and Europe. In addition, the young people were informed about how changes in the sense of sustainable development are possible. By participating in reforestation work, the young people were shown how it is feasible to repair forest damage in a way that is compatible with nature and the environment.
Target groups
Young people with and without disabilities from the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, in intergenerational planting activities involving adults and senior citizens.
Specific goals
- Planting of forest in the border triangle Germany-Poland-Czech Republic
- Raising young people's awareness of climate and forest protection;
- Promotion of linguistic and intercultural competences: Composition of the workshops respectively of Germans, Poles and Czechs; because climate and forest protection are international problems and can only be solved together.
- Promotion of media competence: the preparation of each workshop includes internet research by the participants on the state of the forest as well as on CO2 emissions in the three countries. In the workshop, the research results are classified and evaluated;
- Strengthening the home region as a place of learning (participants come from the region) and promoting regional learning culture.
Achieved results in connection with the category "Reforestation of nature
The reforestation of 35 ha of forest within the project contributed and continues to contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems and prevent the loss of biodiversity. More than a thousand young people have been brought closer to nature through the reforestation activities and the other work done in the workshops, learning the importance of adopting a life-centered approach in their relationship with nature. The last planting of 2000 trees took place on 20.10.23.
The project brought together young people from different nations and educated them about the environmental situation in their region and Europe. In addition, the young people were informed about how changes in the sense of sustainable development are possible. By participating in reforestation work, the young people were shown how it is feasible to repair forest damage in a way that is compatible with nature and the environment.
Target groups
Young people with and without disabilities from the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, in intergenerational planting activities involving adults and senior citizens.
Specific goals
- Planting of forest in the border triangle Germany-Poland-Czech Republic
- Raising young people's awareness of climate and forest protection;
- Promotion of linguistic and intercultural competences: Composition of the workshops respectively of Germans, Poles and Czechs; because climate and forest protection are international problems and can only be solved together.
- Promotion of media competence: the preparation of each workshop includes internet research by the participants on the state of the forest as well as on CO2 emissions in the three countries. In the workshop, the research results are classified and evaluated;
- Strengthening the home region as a place of learning (participants come from the region) and promoting regional learning culture.
Achieved results in connection with the category "Reforestation of nature
The reforestation of 35 ha of forest within the project contributed and continues to contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems and prevent the loss of biodiversity. More than a thousand young people have been brought closer to nature through the reforestation activities and the other work done in the workshops, learning the importance of adopting a life-centered approach in their relationship with nature. The last planting of 2000 trees took place on 20.10.23.
Key objectives for sustainability
Due to the too high and worldwide increasing energy consumption the earth becomes a "sweatbox". Increasingly frequent extreme weather phenomena are an indication of the growing number of negative climate changes. Especially in the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic (the former "Black Triangle" of Europe), flue gas emissions from lignite-fired power plants and lignite mining have destroyed large areas of forest and damaged remaining forest areas. For example, there were three large coal-fired power plants less than 10 km from the site of the project executing agency IBZ St. Marienthal. One of them, the second largest Polish coal-fired power plant Turov, is still in operation today. Therefore, the "Black Triangle" is also one of the regions in Europe most affected by environmental damage from fossil power generation. One solution to these problems is to plant trees and preserve forests. One hectare of additional forest binds 10 tons of CO2 annually over a growth period of 80-120 years. The sustainable use of the wood that grows in the new forests contributes to climate protection as a renewable, climate-neutral and environmentally friendly raw material. And the forest offers even more advantages: it "rehabilitates" the global climate at low cost, regulates the water balance, prevents soil erosion, preserves biodiversity and offers people the opportunity for (local) recreation and experiencing nature. It is also exemplary that the project sponsor Internationales Begegnungszentrum St. Marienthal (IBZ) supplies all of its 16 buildings with 100% renewable energy, both as electricity and heating (from the biomass cogeneration plant in Ostritz). This also applies to the implementation of the workshops in the project in the event rooms of the IBZ.The IBZ is the only further education institution in eastern Germany that has been applying an environmental management system according to EMAS III for all buildings, events and projects for more than 20 yeas
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
As a space relatively little influenced by man, the forest has for centuries had an inestimable value for the human experience of nature. What had not been made, but had grown and evolved under its own power could be experienced there; on the other hand, however, the process of down-to-earth human appropriation of nature could also be experienced. Due to emissions from lignite-fired power plants and other man-made causes, the forests in many parts of Europe have been destroyed or are threatened with destruction. Thus, an essential component of human experience of nature is disappearing.
Good air and tranquility are fundamental aesthetic values that we associate with forests. Forests with their diversity of old and young trees, light and shade, high and low sections, closeness and expanse, hardwood and softwood, etc. offer a variety of aesthetic values. Encounters with animals also add a great deal of aesthetic and emotional appeal to forests.
In forests, very many people experience a strong connection to nature. This triggers positive emotions: these people are happier, significantly more vital, and have a higher level of life satisfaction, which is expressed in an improved general sense of well-being. Furthermore, this emotional closeness to nature supports stronger environmentally conscious behavior.
Through the present project, 35 hectares of forest were reforested by young people. This was and is of very high aesthetic and emotional quality not only for the young people, but also for all those people who will benefit directly or indirectly from these forest plantations in the coming decades.
Good air and tranquility are fundamental aesthetic values that we associate with forests. Forests with their diversity of old and young trees, light and shade, high and low sections, closeness and expanse, hardwood and softwood, etc. offer a variety of aesthetic values. Encounters with animals also add a great deal of aesthetic and emotional appeal to forests.
In forests, very many people experience a strong connection to nature. This triggers positive emotions: these people are happier, significantly more vital, and have a higher level of life satisfaction, which is expressed in an improved general sense of well-being. Furthermore, this emotional closeness to nature supports stronger environmentally conscious behavior.
Through the present project, 35 hectares of forest were reforested by young people. This was and is of very high aesthetic and emotional quality not only for the young people, but also for all those people who will benefit directly or indirectly from these forest plantations in the coming decades.
Key objectives for inclusion
Through the project, inclusion is promoted in several ways:
- through the participation of young people with and without physical or mental disabilities
- through the participation of young people from socially disadvantaged families
- through the participation of young people from low-income families
- through the participation of young people from three countries
- through the equal participation of male and female youths
- by working, eating and drinking together, as well as spending the night and spending leisure time together in one place (educational institution IBZ St. Marienthal)
- through intergenerational work in part of the reforestation activities (youth with parents, youth with seniors, etc.)
- through reforestation actions in all three countries of the Euroregion Neisse (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic)
- through the experience of self-efficacy among the young people. They no longer feel helpless in the face of climate problems and forest dieback, but have experienced that they can contribute to overcoming these problems themselves through reforestation activities.
- By taking into account the needs of participants who are not binary, have special eating habits (vegan, allergies, etc.) or religious rites.
- through the participation of young people with and without physical or mental disabilities
- through the participation of young people from socially disadvantaged families
- through the participation of young people from low-income families
- through the participation of young people from three countries
- through the equal participation of male and female youths
- by working, eating and drinking together, as well as spending the night and spending leisure time together in one place (educational institution IBZ St. Marienthal)
- through intergenerational work in part of the reforestation activities (youth with parents, youth with seniors, etc.)
- through reforestation actions in all three countries of the Euroregion Neisse (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic)
- through the experience of self-efficacy among the young people. They no longer feel helpless in the face of climate problems and forest dieback, but have experienced that they can contribute to overcoming these problems themselves through reforestation activities.
- By taking into account the needs of participants who are not binary, have special eating habits (vegan, allergies, etc.) or religious rites.
Results in relation to category
Planting of approx. 35 hectares of forest with 35,000 trees.
The resulting forest contributes to climate protection as a renewable, climate-neutral and environmentally friendly raw material. The forest regulates the water balance, prevents soil erosion, preserves biodiversity and offers people the opportunity for (local) recreation and experiencing nature.
Qualification of more than 1,000 young people
More than 1,000 young people have received further training on the topics of climate protection and forest conservation. They planted 35,000 trees and learned that they can do something for climate and forest protection themselves. The young people's language and social skills (intercultural skills, etc.) were promoted, as were their media skills.
Cooperation of educational institutions
The educational institution IBZ organized the workshops in cooperation with other educational institutions. In the course of the project, a trinational cooperation network was created.
Important impulses for the further development of educational institutions
The benefit for the educational institutions was that they were able to open up more to the outside world. The educational institutions were able to demonstrate that, in addition to providing theoretical training for people, they were also making a direct contribution to improving people's living conditions.
Support for forest owners
The benefit for the mostly state or church forest owners in the project was that they received financial resources for reforestation.
Involvement of foundations and companies in addressing societal challenges
The benefit for the foundations and companies in the project was that they were able to document in public that they are living up to their ecological and sociopolitical responsibility by offsetting their CO2 emissions through reforestation activities.
The resulting forest contributes to climate protection as a renewable, climate-neutral and environmentally friendly raw material. The forest regulates the water balance, prevents soil erosion, preserves biodiversity and offers people the opportunity for (local) recreation and experiencing nature.
Qualification of more than 1,000 young people
More than 1,000 young people have received further training on the topics of climate protection and forest conservation. They planted 35,000 trees and learned that they can do something for climate and forest protection themselves. The young people's language and social skills (intercultural skills, etc.) were promoted, as were their media skills.
Cooperation of educational institutions
The educational institution IBZ organized the workshops in cooperation with other educational institutions. In the course of the project, a trinational cooperation network was created.
Important impulses for the further development of educational institutions
The benefit for the educational institutions was that they were able to open up more to the outside world. The educational institutions were able to demonstrate that, in addition to providing theoretical training for people, they were also making a direct contribution to improving people's living conditions.
Support for forest owners
The benefit for the mostly state or church forest owners in the project was that they received financial resources for reforestation.
Involvement of foundations and companies in addressing societal challenges
The benefit for the foundations and companies in the project was that they were able to document in public that they are living up to their ecological and sociopolitical responsibility by offsetting their CO2 emissions through reforestation activities.
How Citizens benefit
Sustainability
The citizens of the Euroregion benefit from the project in that approximately 35 hectares of forest have been reforested so far as part of this project. The 35,000 trees newly planted in this context ensure that
- the air quality and water balance in the region is improved
- soil erosion is prevented
- the diversity of animal and plant species is increased,
- later, wood from the reforested areas can be used as a raw material to help maintain regional economic cycles.
Inclusion
The project involved more than one thousand young people
- with and without physical or mental disabilities
- also from socially disadvantaged families
- also from low-income families
- from three countries
- both male and female youths
- in the planting activities, in some cases across generations.
Aesthetics and quality of experience for people through design and emotional/cultural benefits.
The new trees planted as part of the project will ensure that citizens of the Neisse Euroregion will have
- the possibility of (local) recreation in the afforested forests as well as
- the possibility to experience nature, to experience nature and to experience nature aesthetically.
exists.
More than 1,000 young people from the Euroregion Neisse participated in the project on a voluntary basis. As a result, they have not only learned a lot about climate protection, forest conservation and biodiversity. Above all, they have experienced themselves as "self-effective". They no longer feel helplessly at the mercy of climate problems and forest dieback, but have experienced that they can contribute to overcoming these problems themselves through reforestation campaigns.
Through their reforestation campaigns, the young people have become role models for others to also carry out reforestation campaigns. The multiplication effect of the project was further strengthened by the fact that the young people involved informed their families and friends about the project.
The citizens of the Euroregion benefit from the project in that approximately 35 hectares of forest have been reforested so far as part of this project. The 35,000 trees newly planted in this context ensure that
- the air quality and water balance in the region is improved
- soil erosion is prevented
- the diversity of animal and plant species is increased,
- later, wood from the reforested areas can be used as a raw material to help maintain regional economic cycles.
Inclusion
The project involved more than one thousand young people
- with and without physical or mental disabilities
- also from socially disadvantaged families
- also from low-income families
- from three countries
- both male and female youths
- in the planting activities, in some cases across generations.
Aesthetics and quality of experience for people through design and emotional/cultural benefits.
The new trees planted as part of the project will ensure that citizens of the Neisse Euroregion will have
- the possibility of (local) recreation in the afforested forests as well as
- the possibility to experience nature, to experience nature and to experience nature aesthetically.
exists.
More than 1,000 young people from the Euroregion Neisse participated in the project on a voluntary basis. As a result, they have not only learned a lot about climate protection, forest conservation and biodiversity. Above all, they have experienced themselves as "self-effective". They no longer feel helplessly at the mercy of climate problems and forest dieback, but have experienced that they can contribute to overcoming these problems themselves through reforestation campaigns.
Through their reforestation campaigns, the young people have become role models for others to also carry out reforestation campaigns. The multiplication effect of the project was further strengthened by the fact that the young people involved informed their families and friends about the project.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
- Participation of young people, speakers, forest owners, foundations, companies from three countries in the practical solution of problems that affect all parties (climate protection, forest protection, biodiversity) and that can only be solved together.
- Joint action in a project that has both concrete social and ecological benefits (climate protection, forest conservation, promotion of biodiversity) and offers knowledge and qualification opportunities for the young people (practical and theoretical relevance),
- Opening the educational institution to the outside world: exchange of personnel (e.g. with other educational institutions in Poland and the Czech Republic), participation of speakers from different disciplines, seeking out experts (e.g. foresters), etc.;
- Inclusion of active, action-oriented forms of teaching and learning (e.g. planting activities) in which young people with disabilities and learning disabilities also participate;
- Incorporating self-directed learning activities by youth (youth interviews with residents of places with significant forest damage, interviews with foresters, internet research, etc.);
- Inclusion of peer learning (youth inform each other about the situation in their home country).
- Method of financing the workshops (see below), which also enables young people from low-income or unemployed families to participate in the workshops;
- Financing of the individual workshops and the forest reforestation for the most part by foundations and companies.
- Joint action in a project that has both concrete social and ecological benefits (climate protection, forest conservation, promotion of biodiversity) and offers knowledge and qualification opportunities for the young people (practical and theoretical relevance),
- Opening the educational institution to the outside world: exchange of personnel (e.g. with other educational institutions in Poland and the Czech Republic), participation of speakers from different disciplines, seeking out experts (e.g. foresters), etc.;
- Inclusion of active, action-oriented forms of teaching and learning (e.g. planting activities) in which young people with disabilities and learning disabilities also participate;
- Incorporating self-directed learning activities by youth (youth interviews with residents of places with significant forest damage, interviews with foresters, internet research, etc.);
- Inclusion of peer learning (youth inform each other about the situation in their home country).
- Method of financing the workshops (see below), which also enables young people from low-income or unemployed families to participate in the workshops;
- Financing of the individual workshops and the forest reforestation for the most part by foundations and companies.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Various disciplines and fields of knowledge were involved in this project.
The educational institution IBZ St. Marienthal organized the workshops. The vast majority of these workshops were designed in such a way that 30 young people each from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic took part. On two days, the young people learned about climate protection, forest conservation and biodiversity. On two days, the young people planted trees. And on one day, the young people had a joint cultural and leisure program.
In the workshops there were speakers from the fields of forestry, climate science and biology from Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.
The young people from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic were usually recruited due to the mediation of educational institutions in the border triangle. This also resulted in more intensive cooperation with these educational institutions.
It is important for this project that forest owners in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic made their areas available for reforestation activities by the young people.
During the reforestation activities, the young people were supervised by foresters who selected the tree species and procured the planting material. The foresters showed the young people how to plant trees correctly (planting distance, planting depth, etc.).
The reforestation actions were financed in particular by foundations and companies. Every company and foundation consumes energy (electricity, heat) and thus damages the climate and the forest. It is possible to compensate for the CO2 emissions caused by energy consumption by reforestation. On the one hand, this was done inexpensively within the framework of the project (reforestation in Poland and the Czech Republic is cheaper than in Germany and has the same climate effect). On the other hand, the project also promotes international understanding and the further education of young people.
The educational institution IBZ St. Marienthal organized the workshops. The vast majority of these workshops were designed in such a way that 30 young people each from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic took part. On two days, the young people learned about climate protection, forest conservation and biodiversity. On two days, the young people planted trees. And on one day, the young people had a joint cultural and leisure program.
In the workshops there were speakers from the fields of forestry, climate science and biology from Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.
The young people from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic were usually recruited due to the mediation of educational institutions in the border triangle. This also resulted in more intensive cooperation with these educational institutions.
It is important for this project that forest owners in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic made their areas available for reforestation activities by the young people.
During the reforestation activities, the young people were supervised by foresters who selected the tree species and procured the planting material. The foresters showed the young people how to plant trees correctly (planting distance, planting depth, etc.).
The reforestation actions were financed in particular by foundations and companies. Every company and foundation consumes energy (electricity, heat) and thus damages the climate and the forest. It is possible to compensate for the CO2 emissions caused by energy consumption by reforestation. On the one hand, this was done inexpensively within the framework of the project (reforestation in Poland and the Czech Republic is cheaper than in Germany and has the same climate effect). On the other hand, the project also promotes international understanding and the further education of young people.
Methodology used
1. Foundations and companies were won over by the IBZ St. Marienthal (project executing organization) to provide financial resources for workshops and reforestation campaigns.
2) The IBZ won over owners of forests damaged by lignite emissions in the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic to make their land available for reforestation activities by young people.
3) The IBZ cooperated with educational institutions in the border triangle, which send young people to the IBZ for five-day workshops on a voluntary basis.
4. The IBZ recruited experts from various disciplines as speakers for the workshops.
5. The young people did research in their home countries about the state of the forest in their respective regions and about CO2 emissions in the different areas (interviews, internet research).
6. The IBZ conducted the workshops, partly in the educational institution, partly in the respective places of reforestation.
a) Inclusion of self-directed learning activities (interviews of the young people with residents of places with significant forest damage, interviews with foresters, internet research, etc.);
b) Promotion of media literacy: the preparation of each workshop included internet research by the young people on the state of the forest as well as on CO2 emissions in the three countries Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. In the workshop, the research results were classified and evaluated.
7. The young people informed each other in the workshop about the condition of the forest in their respective region and about the CO2 emissions in the different areas.
8. The young people planted forest and were supervised by foresters.
9. Celebrating successes: at the end of each workshop, a joint cultural and recreational program took place.
10. Informing the public: The project was accompanied by public relations work (website, participation in competitions, including winning the Saxon Environmental Award, press releases, etc.).
2) The IBZ won over owners of forests damaged by lignite emissions in the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic to make their land available for reforestation activities by young people.
3) The IBZ cooperated with educational institutions in the border triangle, which send young people to the IBZ for five-day workshops on a voluntary basis.
4. The IBZ recruited experts from various disciplines as speakers for the workshops.
5. The young people did research in their home countries about the state of the forest in their respective regions and about CO2 emissions in the different areas (interviews, internet research).
6. The IBZ conducted the workshops, partly in the educational institution, partly in the respective places of reforestation.
a) Inclusion of self-directed learning activities (interviews of the young people with residents of places with significant forest damage, interviews with foresters, internet research, etc.);
b) Promotion of media literacy: the preparation of each workshop included internet research by the young people on the state of the forest as well as on CO2 emissions in the three countries Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. In the workshop, the research results were classified and evaluated.
7. The young people informed each other in the workshop about the condition of the forest in their respective region and about the CO2 emissions in the different areas.
8. The young people planted forest and were supervised by foresters.
9. Celebrating successes: at the end of each workshop, a joint cultural and recreational program took place.
10. Informing the public: The project was accompanied by public relations work (website, participation in competitions, including winning the Saxon Environmental Award, press releases, etc.).
How stakeholders are engaged
Youth Interest Group
More than 1,000 young people have participated in the workshops. They have been educated on the topics of climate and forest protection. They planted 35,000 trees and learned that they can do something for climate and forest protection themselves.
Interest group educational institutions
The educational institution IBZ St. Marienthal organized the workshops in cooperation with other educational institutions. These were educational institutions from the region (Verein ökol. Leben in der Euroregion Neiße e.V., Görlitz) as well as from the neighboring countries Poland (Stiftung Czarne) and Czech Republic (Cmelak, Liberec). The added value for the educational institutions consisted in the stronger opening of the educational institutions to the outside world, which was achieved through the project.
Stakeholder group forest owners
The mostly communal or church forest owners made their areas available for the reforestation activities. They were local forest owners (local, St. Marienthal monastery forest), from the region (communal forest) and from neighboring countries Poland (e.g. Ökogut Mirsk) and Czech Republic (Cmelak, Liberece). The added value for the forest owners in the project was that they received financial resources for reforestation.
Stakeholder group foundations and companies
Foundations and companies funded most of the workshops and reforestation activities. These were local (e.g. IBZ St. Marienthal Betriebs-GmbH), regional (e.g. Sächsische Landesstiftung Natur und Umwelt) and national (e.g. Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) foundations and companies.
The added value for the foundations and companies in the project was that they were able to document in public that they were living up to their ecological and socio-political responsibility by offsetting their CO2 emissions through reforestation activities - and not, as is often the case, in distant countries, but verifiably in the Neisse Euroregion.
More than 1,000 young people have participated in the workshops. They have been educated on the topics of climate and forest protection. They planted 35,000 trees and learned that they can do something for climate and forest protection themselves.
Interest group educational institutions
The educational institution IBZ St. Marienthal organized the workshops in cooperation with other educational institutions. These were educational institutions from the region (Verein ökol. Leben in der Euroregion Neiße e.V., Görlitz) as well as from the neighboring countries Poland (Stiftung Czarne) and Czech Republic (Cmelak, Liberec). The added value for the educational institutions consisted in the stronger opening of the educational institutions to the outside world, which was achieved through the project.
Stakeholder group forest owners
The mostly communal or church forest owners made their areas available for the reforestation activities. They were local forest owners (local, St. Marienthal monastery forest), from the region (communal forest) and from neighboring countries Poland (e.g. Ökogut Mirsk) and Czech Republic (Cmelak, Liberece). The added value for the forest owners in the project was that they received financial resources for reforestation.
Stakeholder group foundations and companies
Foundations and companies funded most of the workshops and reforestation activities. These were local (e.g. IBZ St. Marienthal Betriebs-GmbH), regional (e.g. Sächsische Landesstiftung Natur und Umwelt) and national (e.g. Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) foundations and companies.
The added value for the foundations and companies in the project was that they were able to document in public that they were living up to their ecological and socio-political responsibility by offsetting their CO2 emissions through reforestation activities - and not, as is often the case, in distant countries, but verifiably in the Neisse Euroregion.
Global challenges
Due to the too high and worldwide increasing energy consumption, the earth becomes a "sweatbox". Increasingly frequent extreme weather phenomena are an indication of the growing number of negative climate changes.
Especially in the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic (the former "Black Triangle" of Europe), flue gas emissions from lignite-fired power plants and lignite mining have destroyed large areas of forest and damaged remaining forest areas. For example, there were three large coal-fired power plants less than 10 km from the site of the project executing agency IBZ. One of them, the second largest Polish coal-fired power plant Turov, is still in operation today. As a result, the "Black Triangle" is also one of the regions in Europe most affected by environmental damage from fossil fuel power generation.
One solution to these problems is to plant trees and preserve forests. One hectare of additional forest binds 10 tons of CO2 annually over a growth period of 80-120 years. The sustainable use of the wood growing in the new forests contributes to climate protection as a renewable, climate-neutral and environmentally friendly raw material. And the forest offers even more advantages: it "rehabilitates" the global climate at low cost, regulates the water balance, prevents soil erosion, preserves biodiversity and offers people the opportunity for (local) recreation and experiencing nature.
Throughout Europe, national movements and parties are growing stronger. European cooperation and encounters between people are particularly helpful here. Both have been strengthened by this project.
The project also strengthened the language skills of the more than 1,000 young people, because most of them experienced for the first time how important it is to learn a foreign language.
The workshops used contemporary, participatory and activating learning methods. The participating young people and educational institutions were able to benefit from this.
Especially in the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic (the former "Black Triangle" of Europe), flue gas emissions from lignite-fired power plants and lignite mining have destroyed large areas of forest and damaged remaining forest areas. For example, there were three large coal-fired power plants less than 10 km from the site of the project executing agency IBZ. One of them, the second largest Polish coal-fired power plant Turov, is still in operation today. As a result, the "Black Triangle" is also one of the regions in Europe most affected by environmental damage from fossil fuel power generation.
One solution to these problems is to plant trees and preserve forests. One hectare of additional forest binds 10 tons of CO2 annually over a growth period of 80-120 years. The sustainable use of the wood growing in the new forests contributes to climate protection as a renewable, climate-neutral and environmentally friendly raw material. And the forest offers even more advantages: it "rehabilitates" the global climate at low cost, regulates the water balance, prevents soil erosion, preserves biodiversity and offers people the opportunity for (local) recreation and experiencing nature.
Throughout Europe, national movements and parties are growing stronger. European cooperation and encounters between people are particularly helpful here. Both have been strengthened by this project.
The project also strengthened the language skills of the more than 1,000 young people, because most of them experienced for the first time how important it is to learn a foreign language.
The workshops used contemporary, participatory and activating learning methods. The participating young people and educational institutions were able to benefit from this.
Learning transferred to other parties
The project can easily be transferred to other institutions of further education and also to institutions of youth and adult education. It is also conceivable that it could be transferred to other regions or euroregions or in the context of town twinning or business or foundation networks.
Methodology
The combination of education and action, of imparting knowledge and skills in the fields of climate and forest protection as well as practical reforestation measures: this method can be easily transferred. For example, other socially relevant challenges could be made the focus of the workshops, such as flood control.
Insights
Many people want to become more involved in climate protection and forest conservation, but do not know how exactly this could be done. This project uses young people as an example to show how these people can be offered a meaningful and effective way to turn their willingness to get involved into action. In the same way, other target groups can also be won over for such workshops and for reforestation campaigns, such as adults, senior citizens, employees of companies, members of church communities, clubs and associations.
Financing
There are numerous companies and foundations that want to compensate their CO2 emissions, not by reforestation in distant countries, but verifiably in Europe. This makes it possible to carry out a large number of further reforestation campaigns. It is a great advantage for companies and foundations if their funding also supports youth education and international cooperation. In this way, the companies and foundations can present themselves as ecologically and socio-politically responsible actors and thus also indirectly advertise themselves.
Methodology
The combination of education and action, of imparting knowledge and skills in the fields of climate and forest protection as well as practical reforestation measures: this method can be easily transferred. For example, other socially relevant challenges could be made the focus of the workshops, such as flood control.
Insights
Many people want to become more involved in climate protection and forest conservation, but do not know how exactly this could be done. This project uses young people as an example to show how these people can be offered a meaningful and effective way to turn their willingness to get involved into action. In the same way, other target groups can also be won over for such workshops and for reforestation campaigns, such as adults, senior citizens, employees of companies, members of church communities, clubs and associations.
Financing
There are numerous companies and foundations that want to compensate their CO2 emissions, not by reforestation in distant countries, but verifiably in Europe. This makes it possible to carry out a large number of further reforestation campaigns. It is a great advantage for companies and foundations if their funding also supports youth education and international cooperation. In this way, the companies and foundations can present themselves as ecologically and socio-politically responsible actors and thus also indirectly advertise themselves.
Keywords
Climate protection
forest reforestation
youth engagement
inclusion
youth encounter
