After a year of working on project activities, all participants gained valuable knowledge, took part in interesting workshops and discussions with experts, discovered new regions and cultures, and made friendships that we hope will last for many years. These experiences have encouraged us to observe our environment with greater awareness and to better understand the changes taking place around us. Motivated to continue studying the effects of climate change in mountain regions, the schools are now embarking on the next stage of their journey—to Italy.
From September 18 to 21 2025, teachers from partner schools in Slovakia and Germany met with their colleagues at the Istituto Comprensivo di Valmorea near Varese, Italy, for a preparatory meeting to discuss the details of their future cooperation, the content, and the objectives of the project. During the meeting, teachers confirmed the dates for student group mobility, shared ideas on the content of the mobility weeks, and discussed possible cooperation with Italian educational and scientific institutions dealing with climate change, biodiversity, and the mountain environment. The teams also planned activities to be carried out between exchanges, which will lead to the achievement of the set goals. They prepared homework assignments to be completed before the first student mobility in Germany. They developed forms for students regarding accommodation with host families.
A special part of the preparatory meeting was a meeting with the mayor of Valmorea at the town hall.
This meeting strengthened mutual cooperation and gave everyone a clearer idea of the next steps in the project.
The Italian colleagues organized a wonderfully rich and productive program. The teachers had a guided school tour, where enthusiastic Italian students presented their school to the visiting teachers from the partner countries. They also had the opportunity to visit classrooms, greet the students, and briefly introduce the joint project. The aim was to spark curiosity and motivation among the Italian students to take part in future project activities. Many students asked thoughtful questions about the partner countries, their school systems, and the content of the project.
One of the highlights of the visit was a trip to Lago di Como, where participants enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery and discussed ideas for outdoor learning activities that could later be part of the student exchanges.
The preparatory visit in Italy combined creative teamwork, cultural exchange, and inspiration, setting the stage for the next phase of collaboration. All schools are looking forward to continuing this adventure, knowing it will be another unforgettable and enriching experience for both students and teachers.
