Volunteerism and active citizenship: from individuals to organizations

Topic(s) addressed

The project addressed voter apathy, civic engagement, empathy, multicultural understanding, environmental awareness, inclusion, fostering active citizenship, and volunteerism to build informed and inclusive communities.

Target group(s)

The project targeted 600 students, 100 teachers, 1000 parents, and 600 community members and volunteers.

Methodologies

The project merged formal and non-formal learning to cultivate essential competencies in knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Students were actively involved in every activity, fostering inclusion and cooperation. Formative assessment ensured tailored support for individual needs. Collaborations with volunteers and community members provided diverse perspectives. Through hands-on experiences and interactions, students gained a deeper appreciation for civic engagement.

Innovation environment

The project played a pivotal role in fostering an innovative environment within the school. Volunteers enriched the school's environment by embodying the spirit of volunteerism, fuelling innovation and community engagement. The school emerged as a hub of creativity, shaping a brighter future. The Erasmus team has integrated inclusion, environmental awareness, democratic values, and active citizenship as primary objectives in its new accreditation project, further enhancing the school's commitment to fostering innovation.

Teachers’ role

Teachers and educators played a vital role in driving innovation within the project as creators and leaders. They refined teaching methods and integrated dynamic approaches to foster engaging learning environments. Additionally, they disseminated project outcomes, sharing good practices across the community. Students thrived in an evolving educational landscape and, influenced by the project, organised another activity in Budapest and initiated the Erasmus accreditation project.

Impact and output

Every student was inspired by positive behaviours. The lessons catalysed initiatives that prioritised inclusion and environmental stewardship. An activity in Budapest involving nine students was organised to promote the volunteerism aspect of the project. A first prize for volunteerism was awarded to the school by Cyprus's commissioner. This underscored the project's strength as an asset in our school culture.

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