As part of the Erasmus project in Zagreb, which focused on "Jobs for a Sustainable Future," we had the opportunity to explore various aspects of sustainable development. On the first day, we visited the Zagreb Zoo, where we learned how the institution contributes to the conservation of endangered species. After that, we visited ZMAG, a center for permaculture and sustainable development, where we learned about ecological practices and sustainable living. We participated in workshops that taught us the basics of sustainable development and how to apply these concepts in our future careers. One of the workshops focused on green jobs and ways we can contribute to sustainability in our professional lives. Before heading to Zadar, we visited wind farms, which provided insight into renewable energy sources and their role in a sustainable future. In Zadar, a city rich in culture and history, we visited the Sea Organ and the Church of St. Donatus, and enjoyed the beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea. The Erasmus project is an invaluable experience that enriched our understanding of sustainable practices and their importance for the future.
Good Practices for Activities as Part of the Project J4SP
On June 3, 2024, with the support of the Human Resource Development Center in its role as the National Coordination Unit for eTwinning activities, as well as the National Agency for the Erasmus+ Program, and the European Solidarity Corps Program, an eTwinning training for beginners was held at 128 Secondary School "Albert Einstein" in Sofia. The seminar was attended by 28 teachers from 128 Secondary School and two eTwinning teams – one from the National High School in Finance and Business, Sofia, and one from 120 Primary School, also located in Sofia. The lecturer of the event was eTwinning ambassador Tsvetelena Taralova – a member of the Bulgarian team of the J4SP project.
Participants were introduced to the new ESEP platform, registered themselves on it, and also signed up for the eTwinning section. Radina Popova, the project coordinator, shared good practices for working in international teams and effective forms of cooperation between partners in our project.
The event became a regional educational eTwinning forum during which the three schools from Sofia deepened their collaboration.
Meeting in Paimio, 28.1. - 3.2.2024.
Summary of the week
We were happy to host our international friends during the Erasmus-week. New friendships were formed and new things experienced.
We also had some misfortune: many of us got sick during the week, but we still managed to make the best of it: a good team makes success even if some members are missing.
Expectations about the week by participants were:
Make new friendships which will last in time.
Realize what school life is like in another European country will help me be a better judge of the educational system in my country.
Better understand the impact of my own actions on building a sustanable future.
The trip will have a lasting effect on me, as this is one of the holiday destinations I have wanted to visit.
Some comments from the students about what is the most important thing they learned during the week:
• How important it is to be brave and get to know other people!
• I developed my future thinking skills
• Not to worry so much
• Being more confident and more friendly.
• About the impact of our own actions on the planet, the difference in school systems and being aware about other cultures
• Important things about creating a better future for all of us.
• Together we are stronger and make a difference!
Overall, we feel that the week was a success. Thank you to all the participants. This was a good beginning for our important project!
An unforgettable meeting for the J4SP team with a blogger and eco-activist
On the 11th of December, 2023, we had the pleasure to welcome the extraordinary eco blogger Rada Boneva to our school.
Rada Boneva is the author of the blog www.thriftsheep.com as well as the creator of the podcast 'Radini Valneniya,' ('Радини вълнения' in Bulgarian). Ms. Boneva shared valuable and inspiring stories with us about the ecological lifestyle she pursues and how she manages to motivate others to follow in her footsteps. We have received valuable advice on how to reduce our negative impact on the environment.
The wonderful advice she shared with us is not only a path towards a greener lifestyle, but also a call to responsibility and attention to our planet. Her example is an important reminder that any action, big or small, can significantly affect the environment.
Let's not forget that change starts with us, with our daily actions and habits. Let us be inspired by her example and apply her advice to make a difference. I urge you to be active in our communities, motivating those around us to take on a more environmentally friendly way of life.
We thank our guest blogger for the valuable tips she shared with us, and we hope she never stops being as inspired and as committed to the changes that can make our planet a better place to live as she is now.
Deya K. Vasileva
Еrasmus days in NHSFB
This year, the National High School in Finance and Business (NHSFB) in Sofia decided to organise several events in honour of the international week-long celebration known as 'Erasmus+ Days 2024'.
In the week 14 - 19 October, our Bulgarian students took part in various activities connected to the Erasmus+ programme. For example, a number of our students illustrated their involvement in the Erasmus+ project 'J4SP' via interesting presentations and games which were presented to their classmates.
Furthermore, some of our teachers gave students interesting in-class assignments related to the creation of original icebreaker games and activities – an integral part of every project when it comes to the facilitation of teamwork and collaboration between people of all ages.
In a nutshell, teachers and students from the NHSFB made a joint effort to pass on what they have learned during their participation in the Erasmus+ project to other students in order to inspire them to also join projects like this one and become a part of the Erasmus+ family.
Erasmus team Bulgaria
Together for a Sustainable Future
In order to enhance the teamwork skills of the school community working on the J4SP project and to direct students' attention to everyone's responsibilities concerning the future of the planet, an event was organized involving students from 8th grade – classes B and V.
In the form of a competition we called "Games of Will", which became a prerequisite for a number of fun activities in Vitosha Nature Park near Sofia, the participants — students and teachers — realized that by experiencing the beauty of nature, they gain valuable knowledge and skills that cannot be learned in the classroom. They discovered many new friends, exciting experiences, and that they could even change their way of thinking. This is the best long-term investment in the name of a sustainable future.
Training for the J4SP Teams
On June 11, 2024, an online training session was held for the J4SP teams. The school responsible for the activities on the ESEP platform – the National High School in Finance and Business in Sofia represented by eTwinning ambassador Tsvetelena Taralova – demonstrated to the school teams how to organize the project space on the platform and what forms of cooperation can be planned within it. In addition to illustrating successful activities with examples from previous projects, Ambassador Taralova also managed to outline a plan for joint activities with schools from Finland, Croatia, France, and Italy for the upcoming project year. This was a good opportunity to build upon the project activities.
Meeting with Journalists
On the 30th of November, 2023, the team of the project Jobs for a Sustainable Planet met with Kristiyan Yulzari, a journalist representing Schoolmedia.
During a first-hand conversation on the topic of information and disinformation, as well as on Google tools that can be used to fact-check news, our students demonstrated a high sense of awareness and preparedness. While being divided into small groups, they completed various tasks, familiarized themselves with each other, and engaged one another in a conversation about the responsibility of journalism and our responsibility to the world.
What was even more exciting was the fact that our mentor had prepared project-related tasks, encompassing topics connected to environmental protection and the economy.
At the end of the meeting, the mentor expressed their satisfaction with the participants' work.
Radina Popova