Professional paper
Growing Up (Sustainably): The Library as a Space of Change
Biljana Krnjajić
orcid.org/0009-0008-4024-919X
; OŠ Siniše Glavaševića Vukovar
*
Anita Tufekčić
; OŠ „Antun i Stjepan Radić“ Gunja
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Objective. The aim of this paper is to present how the sCOOLFOOD project contributes to the development of sustainable habits among students through activities focused on food,
environmental, and civic literacy. An additional objective is to highlight the role of the school library as a space that fosters responsible, active, and sustainable citizenship.
Design. The paper analyzes the educational and volunteer activities carried out within the project, including lectures, workshops, field visits, and volunteering. Special emphasis
is placed on methodological approaches that connect theoretical knowledge with students’ practical experiences. The librarian and teachers act as mediators between the school, the local community, and partner organizations, encouraging an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable development.
Results. Expected results include increased student awareness of the importance of healthy eating, waste reduction, environmental protection, and responsible consumption. Students develop practical life skills and gain a better understanding of their own role and impact on the community. Their sense of responsibility, belonging to the school, and motivation to participate in social and ecological initiatives are strengthened.
Practical Application. The project’s models and activities can be applied in schools, libraries, and local communities to enhance ecological and food literacy. Participants acquire practical knowledge they can use in daily life, such as reducing waste, making responsible purchasing decisions, and promoting sustainable eating habits. The library
becomes a space that connects education, volunteering, and social engagement.
Value of the Work. The value of this paper lies in demonstrating the library’s role as an active participant in building more sustainable communities, as well as in emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach that connects ecology, civic education, and volunteering. The sCOOLFOOD project shows how educational institutions can become centers of social change that foster socially responsible, aware, and active young citizens.
Keywords
active citizenship; food literacy; school library; sustainable development; volunteering
Hrčak ID:
346577
URI
Publication date:
27.4.2026.
Visits: 41 *