Building Bridges in Norway and Poland – Job Shadowing Experience in Community and Digital Education –

This summer, our team had the opportunity to go beyond our screens and visit two organizations that left a lasting impact on us. In Norway, we explored a new potential partnership with ECCO, a community-focused organization from Svelgen, deeply rooted in sustainability. Then, we traveled to Poland to reconnect with Institute Roździeński, a long-term partner we’ve known for years but had never had the chance to actually see their home. Experiencing their work in person was inspiring and emotional, giving us new insights into the values that drive their efforts in sustainability, inclusion, and digital education.

Norway: A Small Village with Big Values

Our first stop was Svelgen, Norway, a small village that left a big impression on us. With only around 1200 residents, Svelgen has managed to create a community that’s rich in resources, community spirit, and sustainability practices that many larger cities could only dream of.

Sustainability and Community Spirit

In Svelgen, sustainability is not just an ideal but a daily practice. ECCO’s work goes beyond traditional environmental projects – they help foster a strong sense of responsibility toward nature and the community. We learned about Norway’s “right to nature” law, which allows everyone to access natural spaces freely. This law is a testament to their belief that nature should be available to everyone, no matter their background.

During our visit, we saw this love for nature everywhere. Trails, parks, and even the town’s buildings are designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, and you can tell the community takes pride in keeping it that way. One thing that struck us was the absence of fences, unlike in Romania, where almost every property is enclosed, here, open spaces flow into each other, creating a sense of freedom and trust. This openness reflects their connection to nature and the sense of community. Seeing this, we couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous, wondering what it would be like to have such openness back home.

Creative Ways to Connect the Community

One thing that stood out was how ECCO brings people together through unique activities that you wouldn’t expect. For example, they organize a yearly tennis match between young people and local police. It might sound unusual, but the result is impressive. Over time, they’ve seen a drop in crime rates and a stronger bond between youth and the police. This simple idea, bringing different groups together in a fun way, shows how much they value community connection and trust.

They also hold events where you’re encouraged to find someone in the village you don’t know yet and share a pizza with them. It’s such a small thing, but it left us wondering how many of us truly know our neighbors. These activities break down barriers, encourage people to connect, and make everyone feel like they belong.

Facilities that Bring People Together

For a village with a population of just around 1200 people, Svelgen has impressive facilities. They have a library that’s more than just books; it’s a community hub where people of all ages gather to learn, socialize, and access free resources. The sports center, complete with a gym and fitness facilities, is free for all children and very affordable for local residents. People even use it for birthday parties since hosting at a restaurant can be quite expensive. This is amazing because the center has become a place that holds so many memories for the community. We were amazed by how much emphasis they place on creating shared spaces, reinforcing the idea that community is truly at the heart of everything they do.

We left Svelgen feeling inspired by ECCO’s work and the warmth of the community. Despite the cold weather (even for summer), we found a warm-hearted community that values togetherness and well-being. The people of Svelgen showed us a warmth and openness that made us feel immediately at home. It’s a partnership we’re excited to explore further.

We left Norway with a deep respect for the way this community lives. They showed us that sustainability isn’t just about environmental practices, it’s about creating a society where everyone has access to the same resources, opportunities, and support.

Poland: A Visit to an Old Friend – Institute Roździeński 

After Norway, we headed to Katowice, Poland, where we reconnected with the Roździeński Institute, a trusted partner we’ve known for years. This visit was emotional; we got to see the Institute’s new office – finally, they have their own space after years of working out of rented locations. Walking through Katowice, they showed us each of their previous offices, and we could feel the journey they’d been on, growing sustainably over time.

Digital Education with a Purpose

One of the highlights of our visit was to learn about digital safety. Using design thinking, we worked on practical solutions to protect young people online, making digital education relevant to real-life situations. We’ve collaborated with them on digital education projects before, but seeing it in action, especially with their team directly involved, was inspiring. The Institute’s approach connects digital skills to civic responsibility, reminding us that digital education isn’t just about tech; it’s about preparing young people to use these tools responsibly in their communities.

A Tour of Their Civic Engagement Projects

Our visit to the Institute wouldn’t have been complete without learning about their community-focused projects. They took us to “Active Silesia,” a project that encourages young people to take an active role in civic life. Through job shadowing, we observed how they work with young people, guiding them to become leaders in their own communities. Hearing the success stories they’ve had with young people made us recognize the impact of these projects. Their work isn’t just about educating; it’s about empowering.

Katowice – A City with a Story

Spending time in Katowice allowed us to see the city beyond the conference rooms. Known for its industrial history, Katowice is now a city on the rise, embracing innovation while preserving its roots. We walked through the streets with the Roździeński team, learning about local history and how the city has transformed over the years. Seeing their past offices and understanding the growth of their organization gave us a deeper appreciation for their work. It was emotional to witness their progress, and we felt a renewed sense of connection as we finally met their entire team face-to-face.

Learning from the Roździeński Team

One of the biggest benefits of this trip was meeting the full team. Previously, we had only interacted with a few core members, but this visit allowed us to see the broader group behind the projects. We learned so much just by talking to each team member, each with their own expertise and unique perspective. We left feeling not only closer as partners but also grateful for the chance to share ideas and experiences with a team that’s truly committed to making a difference in their community.

Reflections and Key Takeaways

Our time in Norway and Poland left us with a fresh perspective on what it means to build a sustainable, inclusive community. Here are a few lessons we’re taking back:

1. Nature and Accessibility Go Hand-in-Hand: Norway’s right to nature and accessible facilities for all made us rethink the importance of creating spaces that everyone can enjoy. Svelgen’s BUA equipment borrowing system and public facilities reminded us that inclusivity is about making resources available to everyone, regardless of their background. This is something we definitely aspire to and hope to achieve one day.

2. Creative Community Building: From Svelgen’s pizza-sharing events to the Roździeński Institute’s civic engagement workshops, we saw the impact of simple, creative activities that bring people together. These aren’t high-budget events, but they foster real connections and make people feel valued.

3. Digital Skills with a Purpose: In Katowice, digital education wasn’t just about learning tech—it was about teaching young people to be responsible, engaged citizens. The Roździeński Institute’s approach reminded us of the value of tying education to real-life applications, especially when it comes to digital literacy.

4. Growing Together, Sustainably: Watching the Roździeński Institute’s journey was inspiring. They’ve grown sustainably, one step at a time, and seeing this firsthand reminded us of our own growth—from working out of homes and struggling to find spaces in the city to where we are now. It was incredibly motivational, reminding us of all we’ve managed to accomplish over time: the effort, the struggles, and, most importantly, the success stories that came from it all. We want more!

Conclusion

Our job shadowing experiences taught us that building a strong community isn’t just about resources, it’s about shared values, collaboration, and a commitment to inclusivity. We return home not only with new ideas but with a renewed dedication to fostering these values in our own work. The bonds we created during this job shadowing experience will continue to shape our approach, as we strive to bring a piece of Norway and Poland’s spirit back to our own community.