Barriers in the minds, barriers in Europe? – Physical, intellectual and actual border crossings Erasmus Project

Project Title

Barriers in the minds, barriers in Europe? – Physical, intellectual and actual border crossings

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 2017

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

AlpinPlus – Smartphone App: www.grenzen-ueberwinden.eu

Barriers in the minds, barriers in Europe? – Physical, intellectual and actual border crossings

There are developments going along with the current refugee crisis, such as the reintroduction of state border controls or the strengthening of right-wing political forces within our society. The project “encouragement of border crossings” is meant literally as well as figuratively. It strikes at the heart of the European idea. Since both partner schools participating in the project are situated at a European cross-border traffic axis, this route is well suited for the project.
The outcome of the project is a smartphone app that maps out a bike or mountain bike route between Auer/Ora and Holzkirchen. The app highlights special places at which possible ways of border crossings can be experienced. Thereby, various border crossings are addressed, be it crossing of state borders and innovative logistics (e.g. construction of Brenner Base Tunnel), exceeding physical limits in sports, a sustainable energy policy or artistic taboo-breaking. Furthermore, the innovative ways of how to handle these challenges such as the refugee crisis is presented.
Two vocational schools participated in the project. The project’s participants were students of both partner schools aged 16 to 20, aspiring higher education entrance qualification. At the beginning of the project the students chose places where borders are crossed in various ways and they conducted research on suitable issues of interest. During short exchange visits students of both partner institutions got to know the places, evaluated their relevance and decided whether they should be included in the app.

All project results – as well as the app – were documented and published on a homepage: www.grenzen-ueberwinden.eu. The App is also published via “google-Playsteore”. The app is running on “android-based-smartphones” and is free. During and after the project the App is used for school trips and excursions in order to ensure sustainability of the results. We communicated the app in cooperation with tourist associations (e.g. Alpenregion Schliersee-Tegernsee) and neighboring schools to tourists and local citizens. On April, 11, 2019, the app was lounched in a big Opening Party. As a special guest, the Secretary of Education of Bavaria joined this Event.
There are long-term benefits of the project in two ways: On the one hand, the app supports the crossing of state borders and transnational exchange as the smartphone app offers additional incentives for a bicycle journey along the proposed route. On the other hand, the work on border crossings can broaden the horizon and increase various competences. This is a prerequisite to actively participate in shaping the social and political life and the future of Europe. In addition, the media competence of the participants will be strengthened.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 41800 Eur

Project Coordinator

Berufliche Oberschule Holzkirchen – Staatliche Fachoberschule & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Fachoberschule für Landwirtschaft