Wake up your school - become an active citizen!

"The project ""Wake up your school – become an active citizen!"" is a strategic partnership formed by schools from Poland, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Italy. We are all interested in developing a project which addresses the problem of students' participation in civic life. The necessity of this project resulted from a problem that we observed - low involvement of students in the school life and the life of the local community, passive approach to activities, projects and programs implemented by the school and other organisations. We believe that one of the ways to solve the problems and meet the needs described above is a multi-dimensional project through which we could realise the concept of active citizenship, applying it within three areas: Democratic Participation, Cultural Heritage and Sport. The project is addressed to students aged 15 -18. The aim of the project is to to develop students' civic competence. We want to encourage, strengthen and increase active participation of students in civic life, support students in becoming active citizens and develop active and responsible European citizenship based on common values. Other objectives are as follows:a)increasing students' knowledge of social and political conceptsb)developing students' abilities to plan and manage activitiesc)improving language skills, including vocabulary relating to social and political lifed)improving ICT skillse)developing students' interpersonal competencef)promoting intercultural interaction, developing European awareness, strengthening the multicultural and multiethnic coexistence of young peopleg)professional development of teachers through the exchange of experiences.The project will last two years. The activities will be organised around the following topics: common European values, Human Rights, democratic procedures, the role of student council, vulunteering and interaction between young people, local government and NGOs. We have planned activities introducing traditions and culture of the involved countries as well as sports activities. The project combines physical mobilities with virtual exchanges through eTwinning. ETwinning activities focus on European values, Human Rights and Cultural Heritage. Students will prepare materials about Human Rights, their schools and regions, present traditions, organise online festivals. We have also planned local activities to disseminate the project and its results, promote European values and the idea of active citizenship.As for physical mobilities, 4 short-term exchanges, in which 96 participants will take part, are planned. The criteria for choosing the participants include knowledge of English, grades, understanding the project objectives and willingness to work.Some of the activities that will be carried out during short–term student exchanges are as follows: a)workshops and CLIL lessonsb)debates, round table discussions, mock electionsc)drama activitiesd) photo exhibitions e)educational trips to the parliament, the seats of local authorities and voluntary associations, meetings with local politicians, MPs and representatives of NGOs f)cooperation with voluntary organisationsg)cultural trips and other activities whose aim is to familiarise participants with the culture and traditions of the host countryh)sports activities The project is based on the significant participation of students (Youth Participation as the project methodology).Students will receive a framework of project activities and they will have the opportunity to decide how to carry out and manage the activities. While implementing the project we will develop and implement the pilot programme for student councils, develop and implement a model for successful interaction between young people and different institutions, set up and administer project website, create e-magazine, videos, photo galleries, advertising spots, leaflets and numerous other materials. Also, collection of resources to teach about democratic participation will be prepared. The project will have a significant impact on the students, teachers and schools: a)students will develop their knowledge and skills in the area of civic competenceb)they will be aware of their own and European culture, will be open and tolerantc)project activities will stimulate their creativity and develop their organisational skills d)their motivation to learn English as well as language competenceand ICT skills will increase e)they will develop intercultural competencef)teachers' professional skills will increase; they will learn new methods, exchange experiencesg)teachers will learn new methods, exchange experiences h)schools will improve the quality of workLong term benefits will be seen in the activities of people who are students today and in the future will become active, responsible citizents who will fully participate in civic life and have a real impact on European cooperation, partnership and integration."