Our Carpathians - we are building the future on the foundation of a multicultural past

Beneficiary:   Complex of Secondary Schools for them. J. Piłsudski in Ustrzyki Dolne

Slovak partner:   Giraltovce Gymnasium

Implementation period:   01/03/2017-31/12/2017

Realized project value: € 50,184.93 , including ERDF co-financing: € 42,657.17 ,

The project was mainly aimed at promoting the natural and cultural heritage of the border area among young people and the local community in Poland and Slovakia. The assumed goal of the project was achieved by introducing young people to the elements of common history, culture and nature, getting to know important places of the borderland. The youth took part in workshops and field activities entitled "History, geography and culture of the borderland" and then was involved in promotion to a wider audience by preparing publications, participating in educational games, or the Picnic Above Borders. Educating young people and promoting cooperation contributed to the integration of the local community living on both sides of the border.

The main activities carried out under the project:

• Workshops and field activities "History, geography and culture of the borderland" . As part of the task, workshops were organized in four groups (historical, natural, cultural and gastronomic), the purpose of which was to acquire knowledge and skills related to the culture, history and nature of the borderland. The acquired knowledge was used in the preparation of materials for the textbook on regional education. The workshops were held both in Poland and Slovakia. There were also organized thematic trips - searching for common features of the borderland and workshops with specialists from the borderland. Icon writing workshops, questing, vocal and gastronomic workshops took place in Poland. In Slovakia, on the other hand, workshops on weaving, recognition of herbs / plants and their use, regional dance and gastronomic workshops were organized.
• A picnic across borders was organized in Poland , during which you could see, among others regional dance shows prepared jointly by students from Poland and Slovakia, a concert of a Polish-Slovak school band, an exhibition of icons and rugs by a historical group. The picnic guests also had the opportunity to get to know the nooks and crannies of Ustrzyki Dolne by following the quest prepared by the nature group, and also having fun solving crosswords and other exercises prepared for the publication. The whole event was accompanied by the tasting of regional dishes, encouraged by the gastronomic group. As part of the integration of Polish-Slovak youth, a small football tournament was also played between schools from Poland and Slovakia. There was also a natural science competition about the Eastern Carpathians on the Polish-Slovak border. The whole event was attended by students from schools: ZSP No. 1 in Ustrzyki Dolne, ZSP No. 2 in Ustrzyki Dolne, School Complex in Lutowiska, Secondary School Complex in Ustrzyki Dolne, Gymnasium in Giraltovce, as well as residents of Ustrzyki Dolne - about 250 people in total.
• The summing up conference was organized on the Polish side, and its aim was to present the effects of the activities and cooperation of the ZSL in Ustrzyki Dolne and the Gymnasium in Giraltovce. During the meeting, there was also a promotion of the publication "Teaching materials for Carpathian regional education" prepared by the participants of the microproject. 117 people participated in the conference - from Poland (72 people) and Slovakia (45 people), including students, teachers, coordinators, invited guests from Poland and Slovakia, representatives of local authorities and city residents.