In Poland, two schools from the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship took part in the campaign this year. The comprehensive school complex in Wydminy participated with one class, as did a group in Giżycko at the youth center for sociotherapy.
The students all showed great enthusiasm for the Green Footprints Campaign. They developed numerous ideas on the topics of climate and sustainability and eagerly implemented them in and with their families.
The 67 children from the two schools contributed at least 2,010 Green Footprints to the overall result – and the trend is still rising: according to one of the teachers, it is already becoming apparent that the children are continuing some of their good new habits because they have experienced for themselves how much fun electronic-free leisure activities can be, for example.
WYDMINY
Starting with Action: World Cleanup Day:
Eco-time with family, friends, and nature In Wydminy, this year's Green Footprints campaign had a wonderful motto: spending meaningful time with family and friends while practicing a more sustainable lifestyle. Children were encouraged to choose environmentally friendly modes of transportation—taking the bus, riding a bike, inline skating, or even riding a horse!
While exploring new, environmentally friendly ways to get around, the students also rediscovered the beauty of their local surroundings. They learned to appreciate their parents' and neighbors' gardens, spent more time outdoors, and made healthy breakfast and snack choices for a whole week. In the process, they realized how easy and fun it can be to prepare delicious meals together.
Adventure, awareness, and active learning - all in one The campaign brought a sense of adventure to everyday life. Bus or train rides became an exciting new experience, and the children proudly reported that this kind of “eco-time” was not only much easier to implement than they had thought but also fun and inspiring!
The activities weren't limited to the students; teachers were also motivated to spend more time outdoors with their classes and make the most of the autumn sunshine.
As part of the learning process, the students created their own comics on the topic of “How do we protect our environment?”, combining creativity with environmental awareness.
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Walking, Learning, and Sharing in Multiple Languages:
This school year, Wydminy has also launched an educational innovation encouraging students to take their learning outdoors. During lessons, they go on walks, take photographs of their environment, and then translate the captions into German and English. This project has helped strengthen language skills while deepening students’ connection with nature and sustainability.
The campaign was a fantastic starting point for this new initiative, and the students proudly presented their photos as part of the international ZOOM campaign, showing the world what a greener future can look like through their eyes.
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GIZYCKO
Eco-Actions with Heart, Creativity, and Community Spirit:
In Giżycko, Green Footprints is more than just a campaign,it's a way of life filled with creativity, empathy, and a shared sense of purpose.
This year, students from Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Socjoterapii proved that even small groups can make a big impact. With only 37 students, the school proudly collected a total of 1,650 Green Footprints a fantastic achievement that reflects their dedication and teamwork.
Creativity Meets Sustainability
The students embraced eco-friendly values through art and decoration, reusing a variety of materials to create imaginative and colorful artworks.
The school was transformed into a warm and welcoming space with autumn-inspired decorations including pumpkins, leaves, pine cones, and twigs, showcasing the beauty of nature in every corner.
This hands-on creativity brought joy to the entire community and demonstrated how sustainability can be expressed through everyday actions and artistic expression.
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Caring for People and the Planet:
Beyond the classroom, students actively chose to spend their free time outdoors, going on walks, riding bikes, and even accompanying elderly community members who couldn't enjoy the sunshine on their own. Their fishing trips offered moments of calm and reflection, while helping them develop a deeper connection to nature and the environment.
The group also took part in city clean-up efforts, working together to ensure a cleaner, more beautiful Giżycko. Their compassion extended to homeless animals, as they tidied up around local shelters and created peaceful spaces for these vulnerable creatures.
Learning in Nature, Living with Responsibility:
Environmental education played a central role in the campaign. Students participated in campfires and forest outings, where they discussed nature conservation, sustainable living, and what it truly means to care for the Earth. These moments became powerful opportunities for reflection, conversation, and building a lasting emotional connection to the natural world.
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