Footprints across Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

Footprints across Europe

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 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Energy and resources; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education

Project Summary

The term “footprints” has several meanings: the “carbon footprint” reflects the impact of men’s activities on earth and makes it possible for us to become aware of the ressources which we need. However, footprints may also be considered as the literal traces left by students and teachers as they meet and cooperate together. This project aims at increasing the students’ awareness of environmental problems and make them develop practical skills which will allow them to adopt a responsible attitude as individuals, and future professionals. Therefore, by leaving their real footprints on Europe, they will work together and consider solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. This project addresses secondary school students and adults through the involvement of the local community. The activities take place in our respective institutions, in the local communities and, in the virtual place through the use of digital means of cooperation and dissemination. The implementation follows a progression from awareness to action. Through the sharing of information on energy production and on the carbon footprint of individuals within the partnership, we hope to raise this awareness. Different types of action including artistic ones were carried out. The students have been involved during lessons and in specific groups which were constituted as part of the project. Different subjects have been involved (physics, languages, electronics, drama, geography). The partnership uses English as a cooperation language. By gathering students from northern Europe (Finland, France, the United Kingdom and Poland) and southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Turkey) we wish to make them overcome prejudices in order to work together and learn from their peers.

The project involves 6 secondary schools from France (coordinator), Great-Britain, Finland, Poland, Italy and Turkey. The British partner is part of an academy of schools.

The main activities of the project have led to the realisation of these concrete productions :
-the realisation of presentations and about energy production, local, national and European law concerning the environment
-the production of a map of European energies (physical and digital)
-a logo of the project
-an insulating challenge
-a brochure on ecotourism
-a booklet on European citizenship
-the organisation of a green walk

These productions have been realised through collaborative work sessions that have taken place during the three student meetings (March 2016 in Poland, November 2016 in France, April 2017 in Finland). As regards the concrete productions, our objectives have been attained and these productions have been realised.

The surveys that we have carried out with our participating pupils have led to the following conclusions in terms of impact :
-the participants have developped a very positive view of the EU’s action in the area of education. Many students have expressed their to take part in new cooperation projects or mobility programmes funded by the EU.
-these projects have led to a better understanding of foreign European cultures.
-the workshops have provided the participants with an opportunity to practice and improve their language skills.
-participants have established enduring relations with their peers from the partner schools.

For most participants, the experience of a cooperation project has led to an improvement of the overall academic results, an increased motivation in language courses, an improvement of results in English. The surveys have revealed that all participants have built up more self confidence and developed their interpersonal, intercultural skills.

This project has contributed to our school’s international relations strategy and allowed us to attract public attention through the press (local newspaper, regional TV channel (France 3)). The impact on the school’s image has been largely positive. in the local communities where the student meetings have taken place, the project has had a very positive impact and has raised awareness regarding environmental problems.

This cooperation project is the continuation of a collaboration which has started in 2005, with the first EU-funded cooperation project which our school has coordinated. It has allowed us to maintain and renew ties between the members of the partnership which otherwise would be severed. It is the accomplishment of a long term strategy which aims at making our bonds perennial.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 204405,68 Eur

Project Coordinator

LPO STEPHANE HESSEL & Country: FR

Project Partners

• Akaan lukio
• Istituto istruzione Superiore “Fazzini-Mercantini”
• Liceum Ogolnosztalcace im. Marii Curie – Sklodowskiej
• Faringdon Academy of Schools
• Kozan Fen Lisesi