The Role of Associations of Municipalities in Non-formal Education
The Role of Associations of Municipalities in Non-formal Education

Summary/Abstract: All activities conducted by municipalities towards the sustainable development areimportant for environment protection – that is one of key factors of the concept of sustainabledevelopment. Therefore, developing programs and methods regarding environmentprotection for local communities is essential. Those programs should both provide principlesof sustainable development and implement guidelines for local authorities. They shouldconsist of educational information and suggestions of activities that may be taken by localauthorities in order to engage inhabitants into the environment protection and increase theirenvironmental awareness. This ultimately results in shifting the opinions and changing theattitudes in the community.This paper presents the results of the qualitative research (participant observation andinterviews) conducted among representatives of the selected municipalities located in theprovinces of Malopolska and Podkarpacie. The involvement of the governing body in theimplementation of projects to improve the state of natural environment is extensive. It alsorequires much effort from teachers and students of local schools. In most cases, the mainobjective of those projects is to achieve quality standards consistent with the EU regulationstaking into account the National Environmental Policy.According to the respondents of the interviews, projects financed from external sourcesdirectly affect development of local economy and support the implementation of educationalactivities. Actions in form of informal education conducted by municipalities contribute toa change in the attitude, habits and awareness of local communities and thus lead to theimprovement of the quality of the natural environment. In most cases, these activities areconcerned about particular field.

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