Time to act - together! Diversity – challenge and opportunity for a complex, emphatic view of the world with a special focus on the environment and the climate.

Our students should gain personal experience on a broad basis, get involved in concrete (environmental) projects, exchange ideas with experts and other young people and thus develop personal aware...

Our students should gain personal experience on a broad basis, get involved in concrete (environmental) projects, exchange ideas with experts and other young people and thus develop personal awareness and a sustainable mindset. We also wanted to prepare our team of teachers for increasing digitalization and familiarize them with the latest scientific findings so that relevant material can be created for the classroom. The use of blended learning and should enable the virtual exchange of information, materials and relationship building within the European community for all participants. The use of English as the working language throughout the project was intended to reduce inhibitions, qualify all participants in the language and contribute to the naturalness of international exchange. Furthermore, by joining the Erasmus community and developing a deep understanding of our own history and that of our partners, we wanted to lay a foundation for learning to understand the big picture in Europe and to understand ourselves as European citizens.

The various activities carried out helped to increase the 21st-century skills of the participants. These included learning and applying different methods for critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. In addition, self-responsibility and environmental awareness were improved through a variety of activities. Monthly virtual meetings and handwritten letters in English helped to improve digital and language skills. The implementation of the students' concerns and their social activism promoted the understanding of the participants as lifelong learners who continue to develop with increased open-mindedness and motivation. Carrying out corridor clean-ups and exhibitions of the recycled art projects enabled a relationship with the environment to be fostered. Collaboration, joint visits to natural environments such as glaciers and peatlands, visiting exhibitions, integrating the Erasmus project into the curriculum and publishing the results helped the schools to serve as multipliers to raise awareness of climate change and promote action skills.

The results of the project were varied and effective. A strong environmental awareness was created through a visit to the Kaunertal glacier and an exhibition on climate change. The construction of a raised gardenbed and regular field clean-ups with waste art projects raised awareness of environmental protection. The calculation of the ecological footprint and the visualization in the school building led to concrete proposals for reducing the footprint. Teachers received professional development through coaching and the exchange of lesson plans. Students benefited from letter exchanges and virtual meetings. Young&Wise dialogs created connections between pupils and seniors, primarily on the topic of climate today and in the past. The joint exploration of "Cool Places" promoted intercultural exchange and a spirit of discovery. School newspapers were published, with one magazine focusing almost exclusively on Erasmus+. A learning module on the topic of sustainability was created and carried out with the pupils. The logbook was created and printed. Overall, the project contributed to a holistic educational experience that strengthened environmental awareness, intercultural competence and social connectedness.