As part of the Polish-German transnational cooperation, the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe and Slow Food Germany carried out the first joint intercultural educational project on sustainable eating, which involved young people, children, teachers and educators.
The basic idea was to combine practical activities in the garden and the workshop kitchen with innovative teaching methods. The project received substantive and financial support from the German Federal Environment Foundation (DBU), Osnabrück.
For both partner organisations, the project provided an excellent opportunity to learn from each other. The project also has a special dimension because of the history of the place where it was carried out. The village of Krzyżowa is a symbol of Polish-German reconciliation. It was here that German opponents of National Socialism met during the Second World War, and today it hosts international meetings attended by young people from different countries. This context has made Krzyżowa the ideal location for activities involving young people from Poland, Germany and across Europe, as well as teachers and educators to shape a common, environmentally-oriented future.
As part of the project, the Krzyżowa Foundation and Slow Food Germany have jointly developed teaching materials that encourage young people to reflect critically on our food system and consumer behaviour and encourage them to turn to ecological methods that combine tradition and modernity. For example, to traditional techniques of fermentation, preservation or drying, which are still well known by older generations but are in danger of falling into oblivion due to the modern lifestyle of younger generations. This knowledge must not be lost and should continue to be available to current and future generations. With this approach, traditional ways of thrift have been innovatively adapted to inspire the development of a sustainable food system.
For the practical implementation of the educational programme, which consists of ten modules, an ecological educational garden was built together with the students on the premises of the Krzyżowa Foundation. Together with a newly equipped workshop kitchen, this created the perfect conditions for combining theory and practice in teaching.
Over the two years of the project, a total of around 1,000 pupils took part - despite the many challenges brought on by the pandemic during this time. A lasting effect of the successful cooperation between the Krzyżowa Foundation and Slow Food Germany is also the seasonal calendar, encouraging young people to learn about seasonality in the garden.
Ms Verena Exner from DBU, a representative of the grantor, also expresses her satisfaction: "The project stands out on the one hand because of the innovative cooperation between organisations from Poland and Germany. On the other hand, it is remarkable that young people can experience environmental and nutritional education first-hand in a teaching garden in a place that stands for dialogue and understanding - despite the adverse conditions caused by the pandemic. We must not allow traditional yet sustainable food processing techniques such as fermentation, preservation and drying to be lost, and we must also take care of local crops. In terms of the project, it is encouraging to see that although it is coming to an end, it is guaranteed to continue with a view to developing the educational offer in the longer term."
The project's finale took place on 26 October from 9.00 to 11.00 a.m. On this occasion, Krzyżowa was visited by a representative of the grantor, Ms Verena Exner from the German Federal Environment Foundation (DBU). The programme included a walk in the garden, learning how to extract seeds from vegetables and squeezing fresh juices.
