Safer schools and kindergartens: Developing an on-line platform for safe and well-prepared primary schools and kindergartens Erasmus Project

Project Title

Safer schools and kindergartens: Developing an on-line platform for safe and well-prepared primary schools and kindergartens

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 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

The “Safer schools and kindergartens project” aimed to build competencies and skills of primary school and kindergarten teachers and pupils in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia regarding climate change, disaster risk reduction, first aid, psycho-social suppport and school safety. Due to climate change, more frequent extreme events such as flash floods, droughts, cold waves and heat waves can be expected in the future. When a disaster happens, children are among the most vulnerable. Legal regulations and general framework conditions that pertain to school and kindergarten safety, first aid as well as disaster preparedness in schools and kindergartens differ from country to country. Also, the extent to which these regulations are implemented in schools and kindergartens and integrated as part of regular activities varies.

Within the “Safer schools and kindergarten project”, an on-line disaster risk reduction and first aid platform with different modules (including self-assessment checklists, information material for teachers, pupils, parents and local authorities as well as practical activities) was set up in the partner countries. Before the piloting phase started with schools and kindergartens, 380 Red Cross volunteers and teachers received a basic training on the platform, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and safety topics. The trained “ambassadors” acted as contact persons for schools and kindergartens and supported the school and kindergarten teams in piloting activities and with the certification process. When a certain amount of activities was completed, schools and kindergartens could certify as “safe school”/ “safe kindergarten” by receiving a certificate. Additionally, a resource catalogue with a short description of tools, activities, exercises and games regarding climate change and disaster risk reduction, first aid and psycho-social support was developed. Also, a resource pack was put together containing printed materials and games and was distributed to schools and kindergartens. Based on the “Safer schools-project” previously carried out by the Red Cross of Serbia, an on-line training with background information on the topics mentioned above was developed, which provided a useful resource for teachers and which is also available on the platform.

Another pillar of the project was to work with authorities at different levels to implement governmental regulations on school and kindergarten safety, first aid as well as disaster preparedness in schools and kindergartens at a nation-wide and systematic level. This included the development of a European advocacy paper with key messages as well as versions for partner countries. Throughout the project, meetings took place with relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, the Teacher Training Agency, local authorities and representatives from the Civil Protection field like the fire brigade or the national platform for risk reduction. The national multiplier events in January 2021 served to present the final project results and the platform, reaching more than 2,300 interested persons on-line.

57 schools and 67 kindergartens participated in the piloting of platform activities, reaching more than 3,500 pupils and 260 teachers. The “Safer schools and kindergarten project” provides a systematic and innovative tool for kindergartens and primary schools as it collects and systematizes existing trainings, games etc. to strengthen competences of teachers and pupils in first aid, disaster risk reduction, school safety and psycho-social support.

The “Safer schools and kindergarten project” in general and the piloting of the activities in particular were rated very positively by schools and kindergartens, stating that the developed materials are easy to use, yet effective actions for achieving a safer school/kindergarten environment. The fact that all partners plan to maintain and elaborate the platform and to offer it on a nation-wide basis to all schools and kindergartens is yet another indicators for the project’s success.

Although the project focused on primary school and kindergartens, tools can be used by all schools and other stakeholders such as youth clubs, RC youth group leaders and volunteers or other CSOs that are active in the field of disaster risk reduction, climate change and civil protection authorities such as fire brigade youth groups.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 171098,26 Eur

Project Coordinator

OSTERREICHISCHES ROTES KREUZ & Country: AT

Project Partners

• HRVATSKI CRVENI KRIZ
• Red Cross of Serbia
• Macedonian Red Cross
• BULGARIAN RED CROSS