Let´s work together – Young Europeans for a healthy life Erasmus Project

Project Title

Let´s work together – Young Europeans for a healthy life

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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development)

Project Summary

The trilateral project “We’re getting started – Young Europeans for a healthy lifestyle” aims at promoting an increased awareness for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle of students. The Friedrich-List-Berufskolleg in Herford, Germany, the IES NU1 Jávea in Spain and the IBC, Fredericia-Middelfart in Afdeling, Denmark, have carried out three mobilities which successively contribute to the achievement of this objective. On the one hand, the project relates to the corresponding school profiles (health promotion, Europe, innovation) and, on the other hand, it relates to the current social situation in which health promotion, sustainability, and conscious consumption are important topics.
During the first activity in Germany, expert discussions on health promotion at the participating schools and concrete project planning were carried out. This was followed by the second activity in Denmark, where our students were introduced to the topic of food waste, which was carried out in cooperation with the company “Too good to go” as well as a mini-innovation camp. A visit to a hotel, focussing on sustainability and regionality, broadened the perspective. The activity in Spain deepened and expanded the knowledge of students through, for example, a workshop on the topic “healthy breakfast” that highlighted differences and similarities in nutrition in European countries. In addition, the focus was on healthy lifestyles in a European comparison, with special emphasis on exercise.
Across the board, key competencies such as social skills, e.g. communication and cooperation skills, digital skills, for instance when using eTwinning between mobilities or creating guides and presentations, intercultural and foreign language skills was promoted through the ongoing interactions of the students. Last but not least, the ability to think critically, especially in self-reflection when deciding on the consumption of food, was fostered.
The results achieved have contributed to school and classroom development in the participating schools and have strengthened their European profile. The learning and working materials produced will also be used in future lessons. We assume that the partnerships between the three countries will be continued and intensified. In this regard, internships abroad and student exchanges will also be made possible. A follow-up project on climate change and healthy living in all three countries has also been successfully applied for.
Due to the corona pandemic, the fourth mobility could not take place in Germany. The planned project activities for the preparation and follow-up of the mobility could also not take place due to the long-lasting school closures in all three countries. Unfortunately, an exchange with eTwinning only took place to a very limited extent.
Six students from each of the partner schools took part, making a total of 18. In Germany, students from the vocational grammar school (Berufliches Gymnasium) with a focus on “European Studies” participated. In Denmark, SuS from the vocational grammar school with a focus on “Innovation” participated. The SuS from Germany and Denmark are all between 16 to 18 years of age. The students from Spain also attend the upper school and focus either on economics or health. Due to the local school structure, the Spanish students are slightly younger; they are between 15 and 16 years of age. The students all have an affinity for foreign languages as well as a high level of interest in economics and/or health. In addition, many of the students involved have a migration background and/or parents with little education; hence, special support seems necessary. The intended gradual acquisition of competencies should specifically support them in their current areas of competence and interest as well as in their personal development and, thus, also increase their chances on the job market.
The project results are questionnaires for the evaluation of mobility as well as material for innovative working methods. The expected long-term benefits of the project are, on the one hand, the increased willingness to be mobile, a heightened interest in European policy issues and the development of social skills of all participating students; its benefits should not be underestimated. In addition, an undisputed benefit is the sensitization of the young generation to the necessity of a healthy lifestyle and sustainable consumer behaviour. The project activities have shown that there is a great need for action, which can only be covered to a limited extent by conventional teaching.
The willingness of students to change behaviour is great, however, it also requires knowledge that could be conveyed through the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 48070 Eur

Project Coordinator

Friedrich-List-Berufskolleg & Country: DE

Project Partners

• IES NUM1 JAVEA
• International Business College