Łączymy pokolenia przez wspólne działania

The project "We connect generations through joint activities" was implemented within the structures of the Local Knowledge and Education Center, which operates in the Technical School Complex. W. Pola in Gorlice, as a center of informal and non-formal education for adults. The project was intended to enable adults to develop key competencies, learn English and develop IT skills at various levels and degrees of specialization. In its innovativeness, the project assumed the inclusion of the partner institution - Solski Center Celje, youth and the implementation of activities in the form of intergenerational education. The completed project is a response to the needs of the local community - adults, in terms of constantly striving to increase their activity, willingness to learn and improve their qualifications. LOWE has been operating since 2017. shows us the positive impact of various educational activities on the local community, which is very interested in this type of activities. Therefore, in response to these needs, we wanted to continue our activities and expand cooperation with foreign entities and promote the principles of openness, tolerance and respect for diversity.

When starting the project, we identified the main needs and challenges facing the educational institution in the field of adult education. Based on these analyses, the main goals of the project were determined. The most important goal was to improve the level of knowledge in English at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels for a group of 60 people. In addition, strengthening key competences and IT skills, as well as promoting the idea of ​​lifelong learning within non-formal and informal education. By implementing activities in an international environment, we wanted to promote the principles of openness, tolerance and respect for diversity, as well as intercultural awareness. The project was also a response to the need to equalize educational opportunities and fight social exclusion among adults. We wanted to reach a group of people with reduced opportunities in their place of residence with various activities. Other planned goals include including intergenerational education, improving the quality and attractiveness of the offer, and creating a network of international contacts, which will contribute to establishing longterm project cooperation.

All activities planned at the beginning of the project were completed on schedule. The most important activity within the project was conducting an English language course for adults. Participants from various age groups were recruited, including: social and economic situation. 4 groups and 2-hour classes were created. English classes were conducted once a week for each group. Additionally, the trainers had 1 hour allocated for individual consultations. The classes lasted from May 2022 to December 2023. Then, two mobilities took place, one in October 2022. a group of 33 participants, 4 youth volunteers and 3 guardians participated in mobility to Slovenia, and in September 2023 a group of 14 youth participants and 2 guardians participated in a visit to Poland. In addition to these activities, a number of other events were carried out, e.g. Online meetings - Cultural Festival, Christmas Meetings. Additionally, sports activities were carried out with a group of willing participants. Two integration and summarizing meetings of English classes were organized and at the end of the project. During the implementation of the entire project, promotional and dissemination activities were carried out.

The project results are satisfactory for us, as we managed to implement all planned activities. The project had a positive impact on the participants, as well as the local community, which showed great interest in the project. The project contributed to the promotion of adult education. The most important effect is, of course, the increase in key competences, including language skills. Through participation in the mobility, the participants gained valuable experience and strengthened social, intercultural and intergenerational integration. Environmentally friendly attitudes and in line with the principles of sustainable development were promoted. The implementation of the project had a positive impact on the work of the facility, the staff and trainers involved in the project improved their knowledge and competences. preparation and implementation of the project. New tools were used in teaching and international cooperation. The positive approach to European projects and EU values ​​has been strengthened. The experience gained has allowed the facility to implement new European standards for adult education in the field of lifelong learning and fully respond to the educational needs of adults with excluded and special needs.