Poland MA

🇵🇱 In-Depth Mid-Term Activities Report – Poland (OPEN SOUL & Municipality of Starachowice)

Project: SUCOMINNO – Sustainable Communities and Eco-Innovation
Timeframe: February – March 2025
Partners: Stowarzyszenie "OPEN SOUL" & Municipality of Starachowice
Focus: Circular Economy, Youth Empowerment, Green Innovation

In the mid-phase of the SUCOMINNO project, Polish partners took a strongly educational and participatory approach to engage young people with the concept of the circular economy. The activities implemented by Stowarzyszenie "OPEN SOUL" and the Municipality of Starachowice were strategically aligned with SUCOMINNO's core objectives: to develop environmental literacy among youth, promote sustainable behaviors, and localize green innovation through non-formal education.

📍 Workshop 1: Youth City Council Circular Economy Engagement (Municipality of Starachowice)

Conducted on 13 February 2025, this workshop targeted representatives of the Youth City Council, a forward-thinking move that ensured direct engagement with young decision-makers and community influencers. Hosted at the "Pałacyk" Creativity Centre, the workshop was designed to move beyond passive learning through a three-phase participatory model:

: The session opened with a structured presentation introducing key principles of the circular economy, supported by local examples of zero-waste practices. This contextualization helped participants visualize how global sustainability frameworks can take shape at the municipal level.

: In the second stage, youth teams conducted guided research using digital tools and personal observation to

in their own neighborhoods. This exercise was not only investigative but also critical, as it encouraged them to assess and map gaps and opportunities within their immediate environment.

: The final phase consisted of a facilitated brainstorming session on the question

This stage was essential in transitioning from awareness to action. The resulting ideas ranged from micro-actions (e.g., home composting, sharing platforms) to proposals for systemic local interventions, demonstrating both creativity and a deepening understanding of sustainable citizenship.

A post-workshop evaluation form collected positive feedback, confirming that the session significantly expanded participants' knowledge and awareness, while also equipping them with the tools to act as eco-leaders within their communities.

📍 Workshop 2: Circular Economy Awareness for Schools (Stowarzyszenie "OPEN SOUL")

Held on 14 March 2025, this workshop brought the SUCOMINNO mission into the educational mainstream by targeting secondary school students. The format of the session was built around interactive learning and applied examples, aiming to demystify the circular economy for a younger demographic.

The workshop introduced students to alternative consumption models based on sharing, borrowing, reuse, and digital circular services. A standout moment was the exploration of "Too Good To Go", an app combating food waste by linking consumers with surplus meals. By focusing on accessible technologies, the workshop succeeded in making sustainability relevant and personal to participants.

Importantly, the session encouraged critical self-reflection. Students were invited to evaluate their own consumption habits, consider where they could adopt circular practices, and identify areas for improvement. The use of a quiz at the end of the workshop helped consolidate learning while adding an element of gamification, which proved effective in sustaining engagement and knowledge retention.

Participants demonstrated high interest throughout, confirming that with the right tools and approach, youth are not only capable of understanding complex sustainability topics, but also willing to adopt them in daily life.

🔍 Strategic Impact and Alignment with SUCOMINNO

Both workshops offered distinct yet complementary approaches to sustainability education. While the Municipality of Starachowice emphasized civic engagement, peer collaboration, and community diagnostics, OPEN SOUL focused on foundational awareness, practical applications, and individual behavior change. Together, these activities addressed both the systemic and personal dimensions of the circular economy — a critical duality within SUCOMINNO's theory of change.

Moreover, the integration of non-formal education methods, digital tools, and youth-led reflection directly aligns with Erasmus+ goals for building active, informed, and responsible European citizens. These mid-term actions not only reinforced the messages and methodologies of PDA1 but also laid groundwork for richer exchanges during the upcoming PDA2.