Die Dilemmata der Entscheidungen für Nachhaltigkeit

We developed this project to address the overwhelming nature of decisions related to sustainability and climate protection. When confronted with challenges and personal dilemmas, people often defa...

We developed this project to address the overwhelming nature of decisions related to sustainability and climate protection. When confronted with challenges and personal dilemmas, people often default to habitual choices. These issues increasingly emerge in seminar settings, where they can lead to polarization within groups. In response, our objective was to create methods for educational work that tackle the complexities of sustainability dilemmas. We aimed to test and evaluate these methods with key multipliers and make them widely accessible through a digital toolbox in English, German, Estonian, and Polish. The toolbox is designed to go beyond a simple collection of methods. It delves into the decision-making processes surrounding sustainability, offers practical examples, and highlights the critical role of facilitation in managing group dynamics and fostering constructive dialogue.

We implemented most activities as planned: • Development meeting in Pärnu, Estonia (2-6.7.2023): Representatives of the partners explored sustainable dilemmas, psychological aspects, and developed a training framework. • The online meeting (8/2023) prepared content and methods for the trainings circle. • In the 1st trainings circle (9/2023), educators engaged online, explored dilemmas, and tested methods. • The 2nd trainings circle at Villa Fohrde, Germany (16-22.10.2023), gathered 16 multipliers to work on sustainable decision-making, dialogue, and project ideas. • The 3rd trainings circle (11/2023–2/2024) encompassed 5 online meetings to share experiences, test methods, and build the toolbox foundation. • Between May - September 2024, 3 local activities took place: a wheel of fortune for sustainable behavior (D), climate dialogues with pupils (EST) and dialogue meetings on migration with 350 students (PL). • The toolbox was developed between April - Oct. 2024. 7 authors wrote 10 articles, practical insights, and 15 methods. Crucial part was a toolbox meeting in Serock, Poland (26.-29.6.2024). • The evaluation meeting was replaced by the toolbox meeting in accordance with NA. Final evaluations were conducted online in November.

Crucial outputs and results were 1. Handbook "Back to the Circle": A 135-page guide for educators and activists, featuring 10 articles, practical insights, and 15 facilitation methods. 2. Multilingual Toolbox: Tools like “Dialogue in 4 Corners” and “Problem Chair” help address dilemmas and foster dialogue, translated in Estonian, German and Polish for broader accessibility. 3. Training Circles: Three sessions (online and in-person) engaged educators in exploring sustainable dilemmas, testing methods, and developing project ideas. The core was an 7-day intense seminar with 16 educators at Villa Fohrde. 4. 3 local Activities in Germany, Estonia, and Poland featured creative approaches like a sustainable behavior wheel, climate dialogues and regenerative conversations on migration. Altogether around 430 students and 150 adults (teachers, volunteers, citizens) were involved.