Between 18th and 22nd September, KSSENA and teachers from four primary schools from Slovenia went on a study visit to Berlin, Germany with a goal to learn what the Berlin schools are already doing in the field of climate neutrality and to experience in practice how to implement Vision workshops. Study visit was organized and prepared by Independent Institute for Environmental Issues – UfU Berlin.
In the beginning of the school year 2023/2024 KSSENA – Energy Agency for Savinjska, Šaleška and Koroška region, took a group of eight Slovenian teachers from III. Primary school Celje, IV. Primary school Celje, Primary school Ljubečna and Primary school Janka Modra, Dol pri Ljubljani on a study visit to Berlin, Germany. The aim of the study visit was to gain valuable insights into how schools can be champions and leaders in the fight against climate change.
The primary objective of the study visit was to test in practice how to implement Vision workshops in school. UFU partners put a lot of effort to organize for participants a real Visions workshops experience which has impressed teachers and empowered them to transfer the gained knowledge and use it in their own schools.
Next visit was at place called Restlos Glücklich where they prepared a Food workshop which has inspired teachers with a really great and meaningful message on how to lower food waste in schools and how a “weird” looking vegetable and fruits can be good too. They showed interesting exercises on how to educate kids about correct food storage and use of the food that is left in the fridge, with creative recipes, instead of being thrown away.
Peter-Lenné school stood out for its comprehensive approach to sustainability education. We were introduced to their thriving vegetable garden, wildlife habitat, and various green spaces. Their students are actively involved in tending of these areas, learning about ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity. The school is known by its energy-efficient design, and renewable energy sources. Solar panels on rooftops, one small wind turbine, and rainwater harvesting systems were in place. These infrastructural elements not only reduced the school's environmental impact but also serves as educational tools for the students. One of their greatest ways to create a deep connection between students and the natural world was their outdoor classroom.
On the last day of study visit they got a chance to participate at the Kick off meeting, of so-called “Frei day concept”, a concept that enables school to integrate different ways of sustainability in their school’s curriculum throughout the school year. The Schweizerhof school welcomed them with open arms and contagious enthusiasm which allows them to experience their sustainable practices in person. One memorable moment happened during the lunch time, in front of the dining area, where both daily meals were displayed, allowing the children to see for themselves what the meal looks like and with this genius approach they significantly reduced the amount of food waste.
After returning back home, teachers feel eager to implement all these lessons learned and ideas from Berlin in their schools. With the gained knowledge from study visit and support from VISIONS2045 project they felt empowered to work towards implementing their own VISION WORKSHOP, creating sustainable habits, integrating climate neutral education into their curricula, and working in a way to transfer their enthusiasm to their students.
Study visits were organized for two more groups of teachers from Poland and Bulgaria. You can read about it here: https://www.euki.de/en/visions-2045-study-visits-for-cross-border-exchange-and-further-climate-protection-measures/
This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)