Susplus Project – Interview for Information Providers (Teachers) #2

This interview refers to the Susplus project which can be found in our Good Practices section.

GOOD PRACTICE OVERVIEW, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

What were the original goals and objectives of this practice/activity?

The original goal was to develop, implement and disseminate innovative educational materials and methods in the field of sustainable food systems.

What was found to be particularly useful in achieving this practice objectives (methods, approaches)?

The strong point of this type of practice is close cooperation with other entities, developing a model of activities that, brought into the project, provide diverse perspectives and broader knowledge.
Also a strength of this project is the use of online and digital resources that make the project accessible to a wide range of people.

What did students like the most about this practice?

I believe that the strength of this project is the choice of topic and the willingness to implement it among students. Educating and raising awareness of the target group on behavioral changes towards more sustainable food choices.

What were the key problems areas of this practice?

Lectures are the only weakness of the project.
I consider the weakness of this project to be its funding, which is limited only to the duration of the project.
Another weakness is the promotion of sustainable practices in the field of food consumption and production, only for the duration of the project, because this is the funding. It is a long-term process and requires a change in eating habits related to food choices.

How can these elements be improved in the future?

I believe that in addition to lectures, workshops should be implemented, e.g. culinary, where an example of a pork chop can be replaced with, for example, an egg cutlet. Due to the fact that it is an on-line course, you can create an application for students who would arrange their own healthy menu. This involves additional financial outlays, but I believe that everyone would like to use such an application.

Is this practice replicable by other teachers in different countries? What factors should be considered while replicating this practice?

This practice is definitely worth copying by other countries. The decisive factor, of course, is the target group, the financial factor, the duration of the project and the period of its promotion.

What was the most inspiring aspect for you while implementing this practice?

The most inspiring is the subject of the project and the desire to make young people aware of the importance of healthy food. An example of their use is the garden I set up in accordance with allelopathy and intercropping.
I am implementing a system of ecological management on my own farm, that I am aware that this method has a positive impact on the environment and food quality

 

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Different forms and ways of transferring the knowledge
  • Reaching both remote and traditional forms
  • Presented content is often supported by examples
  • High-quality, international, comprehensive knowledge in various areas of sustainable food systems development
  • The use of online and digital resources that make the project accessible to a wide range of people

Weaknesses

  • Boring, unattractive website
  • Limiting the implementation of the project only to the time of its financing
  • Lack of workshops and practical exercises
  • Lack of tools developed by the project to engage stakeholders in its continuation

Opportunities

  • The educational materials and tools provided by SUSPLUS PROJECT can be easily replicated and adapted to different contexts and audiences
  • It allows participants to create an educational process tailored to their needs
  • Promoting an approach tailored to individual needs is in line with the personality profile of Generation Z
  • Education and communication campaigns can empower individuals to make informed choices and actively participate in sustainability initiatives.
  • Encouraging partnerships between institutions such as universities brings together diverse knowledge, resources and perspectives, which can lead to the separation of the food management education sector
  • Promoting sustainable food consumption among students and schoolchildren
  • Raise awareness and encourage behavioral changes towards more sustainable food choices
  • Clear planning, stakeholder involvement, effective communication, and a strategy for managing SURPLUS PROJECT results in a way that is responsible, transparent, and aligned with the goals set

Threats

  • Limited funding can hinder the implementation. 
  • Resistance from stakeholders, whether due to lack of awareness or vested interests, can impede progress and hinder the adoption of sustainable practices
  • Educational resources and tools may not be sufficient to overcome ingrained habits and cultural norms related to food choices
  • Requires behavioral change, which can be difficult to achieve
  • A mismanaged of the project outputs could lead to unequal access or underutilization of resources by those who need them most
  • The need for establishing mechanisms or infrastructure for the implementation of the project results. Fair and equitable distribution might be difficult to achieve.
  • The need to involve project partners to prepare application for funds to continue the project

Case Study Info

Good Practice Title:

Susplus Project

Meeting Date and Place:

23/06/2023

Name of the Interviewee:

Teacher 2

Gender and Age of The Interviewee:

Female, 49 years old

Position or Role of the Interviewee:

Teacher – High School

You might also enjoy