Europe’s Sense of Belonging – Identity and Heritage

Summary

The project’s main aim is to foster a sense of European belonging amongst young people by helping them learn about Europe’s cultural and natural heritage, develop an appreciation for the history and heritage of their own surroundings, and build awareness of environmentally friendly travel and consumption habits.  

“Cultural and natural heritage is a common benefit that preceding generations bequeath to future generations. Being aware of this heritage strengthens the sense of belonging to the common European cultural and political space.”  

Topic(s) addressed

• Literacy
• Digital skills
• Mathematical skills
• Civic-engagement exercises

Target group(s)  

• The project involved students in grades 7–9 who were interested in the project themes and applied to participate to develop their foreign-language skills.  

Methodologies used

The main objective of the project was to create a sense of European belonging amongst young people by learning about Europe’s cultural and natural heritage and valuing the heritage of their own local area. A second objective was to raise learners’ awareness of environmentally friendly travelling and consumption habits through practical experience.  

Learning materials about European Capitals of Culture (using Tartu 2024 and Chemnitz 2025 as examples) and UNESCO World Heritage in Estonia and Saxony were created as project work. In addition to presentations, an English-language virtual map of Estonian UNESCO heritage sites was created, as well as a board game in Estonian and English.  

This joint research resulted in presentations, educational games, photographs and video material from the mobility, a film for students about the Struve Geodetic Arc, and a young traveller’s digital dictionary containing expressions in 10 European languages. Foreign-language exchange took place both during the bus journey and together with students from the partner school in joint active lessons and practical study visits.

Innovation environment

During the mobility, students were taught environmentally sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviour. Mass-tourism destinations and capital cities were avoided; the group stopped and shopped in more rural settings. In connection with the educational programme, mostly small museums and theme parks in mountain villages were selected for visits. The group travelled by bus, and participants brought reusable dishes for preparing hot drinks and food during the journey. Hot water was available on the bus and waste was sorted. Accommodation was provided at a youth nature centre. 
 
Virtual cooperation with the partner school began after the project was launched. All participating students were assigned a pen pal of the same age, with whom they began communicating and carrying out preparatory work on the project themes. Digital cooperation continued until the learning materials were completed at the end of the project. 

Impact and output

Teachers who participated in the project shared their experiences in Tartu subject associations, the Tartu–Lüneburg Society, and the German Cultural Institute. The partner school introduced the joint school week on its website: https://www.cwg-aue.de/aktuelles/v/tartu-me-tuleme/ 

During the 150th anniversary celebration week of Tartu Karlova School in April 2025, many guests and alumni visited the school and could learn about the project. A delegation from the school’s other partner school in Lüneburg attended the anniversary, and a lesson introducing the project was held for them.  

In a Tartu Postimees article covering the anniversary, students praised their mobility experience: https://tartu.postimees.ee/8236319/karlovakool-150-opilastel-jagus-oma-kooli-kohta-vaid-kiidusonu 

A public event for the people of Tartu was held at the German Cultural Institute: “Chemnitz – European Capital of Culture 2025. Karlova School students’ Erasmus+ mobility to Chemnitz and Saxony.” The story was published in Postimees: https://tartu.postimees.ee/8255153/karlova-kooli-opetaja-kirjutab-projekte-et-koik-lapsed-paaseksid-reisima 

Learn more about the project