Edukacja ekologiczna dla Seniorów

<< Background >>We applied for this project to meet our diagnosed needs: 1. Acquiring experience in running the organization of adult education by the UTW Management Board. We wanted to improve the competences of both staff and employees/volunteers. 2. We wanted to learn about the offer of a foreign organization providing informal adult education, 3. There was also a need to expand the educational offer of both organizations by exchanging experiences between them, mutual learning from each other through observation, creating an offer of classes ecological projects to be implemented in both organizations.4. Improving the quality of our services. 5. Increasing seniors' satisfaction with the educational activities offered to them. 6. Increased activity of seniors by inviting them to participate in more educational activities. Proposing new ecological activities. The project implementation met all needs. Seven people from the management board and volunteers from each organization went to the partner country twice to jointly implement the planned activities and achieve the intended goals. We applied for grants in this particular action due to the lack of experience in implementing E+ADU EDU projects and in conducting adult education.<< Objectives >>Our main goal was to improve the competences of teachers and other staff involved in adult education, as well as the Management Board responsible for organizing activities at U3A. By implementing the project, participating in mobilities and carrying out planned activities, these people improved their competences in the organization of adult education, including the organization of classes. Working together on the ecological program allowed us to improve our knowledge and skills on this topic. Environment and combating climate changebecame important topics at the forum of both partner organizations. Together, we carried out a number of ecological activities, workshops and trips to workplaces and other places related to ecology and climate care. We have created a senior-friendly ecological program that can be implemented in any senior organization both in Poland and in Europe.While implementing this project, we also took care of active aging of seniors. Seniors from each organization were involved in its proper course during mobility. Seven people took part in the mobilities, but they were accompanied each day by a group of local seniors led by members of the Management Board. They were physically, socially and cognitively active.<< Implementation >>During the implementation of the project, we completed all planned activities. Throughout the duration of the project, we managed and promoted it. Activities directly addressed to the beneficiaries included: an information meeting, then a 30-hour English language course with 5 hours of cultural preparation and four mobilities. Romanians came to us twice and we went to them twice. During each mobility, those taking part in it participated together with the host's seniors in activities of their organization. They observed the organization and took part in talks regarding the creation of a joint ecological program that could be implemented by other senior organizations. They took part in ecological workshops (creating natural paintings from forest undergrowth, peeling soap, scented candles, marigold ointment, cardboard photo frames, building a hotel for insects, preparing dishes from organic products), walking and car trips to ecological farms and sewage treatment plants sewage, plants producing something ecologically or recycled or upcycling.<< Results >>After the information meeting, seniors acquired knowledge about the Erasmus+ program, the project, its assumptions and sources of financing.-People were recruited for trips abroad and an English language course combined with cultural preparation. -A project team has been created. The result of the English language course was that 14 Polish and 14 Romanian seniors completed a 30-hour English language course with 5 hours of cultural preparation. -Motivation to learn foreign languages has been increased. Currently, everyone participating in the course has signed up for the next, continuing education. The results of the four mobilities were: 28 mobilities took place, 14 to each country, thanks to which staff improved their competences and knowledge about adult education. An ecological education program for seniors has been developed and posted on the EPALE website so that it can be used by other senior organizations. All project participants expanded or acquired extensive knowledge about ecology, climate change and what should be done to avoid deepening the climate crisis. Ecol. classes will be held periodically in each organization. The effect, supported by observation, was an attitude of tolerance and acceptance of different customs