If we consider the results of the project, they are rather remarkable:during the said period we organized 385 activities, in which a total of 7,652 students participated. This means that our initiative has become the most significant environmental education program in the region.
The 26 month project entitled Hangyasuli: Environmental Education Center, organized by the Green Szeklerland Association, ended at the end of April 2016.
Ever since it has been established,the organization has placed a great emphasison educating children and adults about the protection of the environment, and helping them learn about plants and animals living in their immediate surroundings. The main goal of the education projects was to help people change their everyday habits step-by-step. A huge step forward was taken in the year 2014 when our association benefited from financing from the European Economic Area awarded during the 2009-2014 period. This support gave us the opportunity to target larger groups of people for a longer time instead of organizing only short periodical programs.
If we consider the results of the project, they are rather remarkable:during the said period we organized 385 activities, in which a total of 7,652 students participated. This means that our initiative has become the most significant environmental education program in the region. We did our best to develop various programs, so every student and teacher could find the ones that were the most suitable for them, and replicate them in other activities later on. We organized contests, thematic events, study trips, camps, hikes, presentations, bus and cycle tours and so on. The children could participate in several versions of any given activity. For example,we organized 13 types of presentations in three main topics (water, habitats and birds). In the camps, the children could enjoy water discovery, spelunking, environmental protection, fishing, nature photography and birding activities. They activities ofHangyasulihave gradually spread over the whole region. During the program students living in 74 localities in the Szekler counties participated in our programs. Besides the active programs,aconsiderable amount of educational materialshave been developed and are now free to download for non-profitpurposes. The electronic learning material contains almost 1,000 pages, and it is meant to offer practical aid to those teachers and other persons who are interested in environmental education. The educational materials found onthe website of the Green Szeklerland Association have been downloaded 2,495 timesso far, which proves theusefulness of these materials.
The Hangyasulieducational activity initiated by the Green Szeklerland Association in 2010 is not over with the termination of the described program. At the beginning of May, we will start a nationwide competition, which is meant to popularize the environmental treasures of the Vargyas (Vârghiş) Gorge.Also, new educational materials will be developed based upon smaller programs. The active educational programs will also be continued, and we will place a greater emphasis on the waste reduction program entitled Hangyabazár (Ant Bazaar).Depending on demand, the Hangyaovi (Ant Kindergarten) program will be launched as well, and the cycling safety program will undergo further development. Last but not least, environmental education games will also become available in the shops.
