About the Project

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The project Service Learning in Culture was created to respond to the real needs of young people, schools, and cultural institutions. It addressed the decreasing motivation of students to learn and the lack of practical, engaging educational forms that develop key competences and civic responsibility. At the same time, cultural institutions were facing a shortage of human resources to fulfill their social mission, while local communities sought more participatory and meaningful cultural initiatives.

The main goal of the project was to promote and test the service learning method – an innovative approach that combines learning with practical community service. By engaging in real social and cultural projects, young people could not only acquire knowledge but also develop initiative, creativity, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills. Schools gained a tool to complement formal education, and cultural institutions discovered new ways to involve youth in their activities.

The project brought together four partners:

• Miejska Strefa Kultury in Łódź (Poland) – coordinator and lead organization,

• Action for the Civil Society (Greece) – expert in service learning methodology and training,

• ARTE.M Associação Cultural e Artística (Portugal) – cultural NGO specializing in youth and community engagement,

• IES Vía de la Plata (Spain) – secondary school integrating service learning into formal education.

Among the key activities were:

• International training for educators and cultural workers in Athens,

• Cascade national trainings in partner countries,

• Lectures and seminars promoting service learning,

• Four pilot social projects implemented by youth in cultural institutions,

• Two major publications: “Service Learning in Culture – Best Practices” and a brochure of recommendations for schools and cultural institutions.

Overall, the project involved over 330 participants, including students, teachers, cultural professionals, and community members. It strengthened civic engagement, creativity, and cross-sectoral cooperation between education and culture.

The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union under Key Action 2 – Small-Scale Partnerships in the Youth Sector.