A Service-Learning project to research Real Demands

The Process

As part of the Erasmus+ funded project EARN, a transnational project is initiated between Portugal and Germany that focuses on exploring real social needs in the communities of the participating classes. The focus is thus on one of the Service-Learning quality standard, ‘real demand,’ which ensures that the students’ civic engagement responds to real social needs and that it is perceived as meaningful and important by all participants.

In the preparatory phase, the eleventh- and twelfth-graders from Germany and Portugal explore social challenges in their own communities during class. The students research on the internet and social media and talk to people in their environment, such as family members, friends, and neighbors. The students also seek dialogue with representatives from municipal administrations, businesses, institutions, and the press. They supplement the information they gather with background research and interviews with experts, and record everything in mind maps and photo documentation.

In addition, the students organize three-day in-person research meetings with their partner school. The aim of this joint project time is to explore the identified real needs on-site. The students visit institutions such as animal welfare organizations, support services for the homeless, and facilities for people with physical and mental disabilities. They then reflect on their experiences in English in small German–Portuguese groups. 

The results of the joint explorations are documented in order to derive initial ideas for concrete volunteering projects. The students also plan a conference to present their findings and discuss possible solutions for the identified social needs with representatives of the municipal administration.

• Recognizing diversity and equality: By working with students from another country, the young people get to know and appreciate a different culture and different social contexts. Exploring social needs together fosters an appreciation of diversity.
   
• Promoting democratic principles and values: The students are actively involved in decision-making processes and plan and implement the project together with the partner school. This allows them to practice democratic principles such as participation, responsibility, and consensus-building.
   
• Tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty: When exploring social needs, the students are confronted with complex and sometimes contradictory challenges. Joint reflection in German–Portuguese groups strengthens their empathy and ability to accept different points of view and helps them to deal with uncertainty.
   
• Perspective-taking and empathy: Encounters with people from different social contexts enable students to adopt new perspectives and better understand the needs of others, beyond national borders.