Eine österreichisch-kroatische Freundschaft: verbunden durch Natur und Garten Erasmus Project

Project Title

Eine österreichisch-kroatische Freundschaft: verbunden durch Natur und Garten

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 school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Creativity and culture

Project Summary

The project “Austrian – Croatian Friendship: connected through nature and garden” was supposed to improve relations the pupils had had to the foreign culture, as well as to the culture of their own, and to reinforce the social relations. In that way pupils could broaden their horizons to as many areas as possible. The old and new knowledge were particularly stressed out, focusing especially to the aspects of ecology. Our desire was to sensitize pupils to be aware of the environment with its natural resources. Likewise, our intention was to emphasize Europe as our common homeland and to create the unique European identity.
The project met the standards of the NMS syllabus in the first part of the common educational goals. In the chapter regarding school goals other themes were discussed, such as intercultural learning, language and culture diversity, nature as the foundation of the human life and the importance of nourishment as health prophylaxis, justifying thus the reasons why this project should exist.
Thirty primary school pupils and four teachers from the Croatian primary school in Makarska and thirty primary school pupils and four teachers from the Lower Austrian NMS primary school in Hollabrunn took part in the project. The project coordinator from Austria had already carried out a Commenius – school project and the partner from Croatia had rich knowledge of nourishment and ecology. The project aim was to publish a recipe book of Lower Austria and Dalmatia regions, including plenty of recipes for special regional meals, home and health necessities and biocosmetics. The idea that stood in the focus of the project was the creation of new meals, characterized by the mixture of the typical Austrian and Croatian cuisine. Our plan was to translate the recipe book into all languages the pupils learn, that was into German, Croatian, English, French and Italian, making the recipe book accessible to general public. What we had in mind were Web pages and booklets. Furthermore, the plan was to make a school garden at the NMS school in Hollabrunn, and the awarded garden at the primary school in Makarska needed redecorating. The project participants took care of the school snack-bar once a week supplementing it by bioproducts from the school garden.
The foundation of “Biopoint“, an informative corner designated for the development of consciousness on healthy diet, also served the needs of the project documentation. By means of involving experts, pupils acquired even more exact and more meaningful knowledge and were informed in the field of “Healthy food and healthy way of life” in the best possible way. The cooperation with the following people was planned: a nutritionist, a pharmacist, a health food producer, a garden designer, oil refinery owners…
One very important event for the pupils was a mutual visit to the partner school. Within a one-week stay, the pupils visited together the sights of their partner’s region. Staying at the hosts’ families enabled direct intercultural exchange. The project had a positive feedback on all the pupils.
The pupils gained many new experiences which related to team work, knowledge, and practical exercises. Furthermore, the focal point of our interest was a conscious, intensive engagement in food, the environment and nature. This mutual work was very important for the pupils, because it affected their further life in a more intensive and persevering way. Healthy diet and the choice of organic fruit and vegetables were important aspects, which are preconditions for a long and healthy life. Teachers, parents and involved experts were surrounded by highly motivated pupils, who were whole-heartedly and enthusiastically working on the project.
The representatives of the municipalities, tourist boards, school agencies, counties, journalists were informed of this project, followed its developmental stages and in that way found out how a “Different School” could develop with enthusiasm and a new, innovative approach to learning. The embassies of both countries were the bearers of advertising. By doing so, the results of the project were available and others were able to implement them. The head teachers of the partner schools and the people in charge of the project undertook to keep the school gardens in good condition and to use products further in their teaching. Thus, the book of recipes was much in demand. The whole project was documented on e-Twinning, hence readily and easily accessible to the public for at least 5 years. The album with the photos showing the process of creating and redoing the school gardens of the project partners could be lent to school and public libraries.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 70220 Eur

Project Coordinator

NMS Hollabrunn & Country: AT

Project Partners

• Osnovna skola oca Petra Perice