Europaws: An animal protection and conservation programme Erasmus Project

Project Title

Europaws: An animal protection and conservation programme

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Environment and climate change

Project Summary

There have been four participant countries in the project: Spain (coord.), Turkey, Italy and Slovakia. It aimed at reducing early school leaving rates and increasing student motivation through a highly appealing topic, animals. The project focused on the need to speak up for animal rights and protection and, as a matter of fact, another major goal was to make students aware of the paramount importance of animal rights and the contribution of animals to maintaining the balance of ecosystems.

The main objectives of the project were (1) to reduce drop-out rates by engaging students in school life by means of a topic relevant to them; (2) to raise awareness about animal rights and the need for protection and conservation programmes at European, national and subnational level, and (3) to increase student motivation by means of a topic they are highly interested in.
Number and profile of participating organisations
There have been four, general education (secondary level) organizations involved: Istituto Comprensivo Scorrano, Italy; Mehmetçik Ortaokulu, Turkey; Zkladna Skola, Pionierska 33, Cana, Slovakia and Colegio La Asunción, Spain.

The vast majority of the project activities have been carried out in accordance with the project proposal. As explained below, a few activities needed minor tweaks and only one (M4) underwent a major change. As we were unable to travel to Turkey due to the political instability in the region, we agreed to conduct the M4 meetings online and redesign the activities so that they could be done locally. Attached you will find detailed reports for each of the activities listed below. Please bear in mind that further information can be found on the Europaws social media and Etwinning sites.
In October 16, animal right-themed posters and mindmaps were put up in the school to celebrate Animal Protection Day. In November, we organised the short-term pupil exchange and visited animal shelters and refuges. Also, merchandising products were made to help disseminate the project. In December, we created an animal-themed calendar, which was sold to raise money for animal welfare charities. Some calendars were sent to local authorities. In January 17, we held a seminar on genetic manipulation and asked the students to create mindmaps. As the seminar was also open to the public, leaflets were given away to promote the seminar. In February, we printed out leaflets to promote the Film Festival, which was open to the public. In March, we prepared stationery for the course on Animal Behaviour. We printed the photographs for the photo exhibition. In April, students designed products that might improve animals’ living conditions. In May, the students put up posters with the countries or cities whose symbol is an animal before creating the comic. All of the activities supported by the grant included the European emblem and the phrase “Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union”.
In September, students from all participating schools shot videos on animal cruelty. These videos were exhibited in Slovakia the following month. In the case of Spain, the visits to local shelters had to be postponed because they were being refurbished. The activity was eventually done in early December.
In October, students and teachers from Italy and Spain travelled to Slovakia for the second short-term student exchange. Besides holding project review meetings, we visited local shelters and nature preserves. The students also carried out the shooting of an international video to raise awareness.
Seminars by experts on animal rights, protection and conservation were held in the schools.
In November, students from all participant schools analysed European laws about animal protection and conservation and they also learnt about benefits of therapies with animals.
In December, every school promoted adoption over Christmas period. Also, students learnt and made presentations about local and national endangered species.
In January 2018 essay competitions about the importance of animals in the ecosystem were held in every participant country. The presentations about endangered species from other partner countries were shown.
In February, the students were asked to design the animal-themed merchandise to be sold at the animal fair scheduled for April. The fair was a great success in every partner country. Also, debates about traditions that threaten animal life took place during this month.
In March, students made proposals for the Bill of Rights and also learnt about outstanding animals.
In April, the Celebration of an Animal Fair took place and students from each country wrote a draft of the Bill of Rights. In May the creation of the definite Bill was carried out via Skype, students and coordinators were present in the virtual meetings. In June an online yealy magazine was created and in July- August discussions took place and final reports were made.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 71435 Eur

Project Coordinator

Colegio La Asuncion & Country: ES

Project Partners

• Zkladna skola, Pionierska 33, Cana
• ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO STATALE – SCORRANO
• Mehmetçik Ortaokulu