The Europe Challenge

The Local Challenge

School libraries in Poland are increasingly active in local and national initiatives, including reading campaigns or charity activities. However, there is a gap in sustained ecological education that encourages lasting change in attitudes and actions. To address this, there is a need to engage young people and adults alike in meaningful environmental activities beyond one-day events, promoting practical, impactful actions like recycling and tree planting to inspire committed, passionate participation in environmental stewardship across generations. 

The Initiative  

Spearheaded by the local school library, this initiative focuses on ecological education through library activities in the school and local community in Plońsk, involving local authorities, foundations and senior clubs. Activities include reading with seniors, writing ecological fairy tales, ecology workshops, marking awareness days, meeting beekeepers, creating school gardens, preparing healthy meals, visiting a cheese manufacturer and outdoor painting with seniors. All these activities are designed to encourage sustainable practices, healthy eating and intergenerational connections while celebrating and protecting our planet. 

After The Europe Challenge

The initiative managed to shift the mindset from “it doesn’t apply to me” to “empower everyone”– regardless of age or profession – to make a difference. With the support of the community, the school library inspired change on a local level and beyond – becoming a hub for environmental activities and focusing attention on the planet’s future. The school librarian said, “what I am most proud of is the change in the image of the school library, the group of children who want the initiative to keep going, and that the library has become the heart of the school“. 

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.