On May 8, a group of approximately 30 volunteers from SWPS University gathered in Warsaw’s Arkadia Park to plant dozens of new ivy seedlings, contributing to the biodiversity of the capital's green spaces. The event took place as part of the Zielony Wolontariat [Green Volunteering] program, facilitated by the City of Warsaw, and was held in conjunction with the international “ERUA Spring Clean-ups” initiative organized by the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA).
Collective Care for the Urban Ecosystem
The "Green Volunteering" program is a unique opportunity for Warsaw residents to actively participate in the daily maintenance of the urban ecosystem. Through collaboration with professionals, volunteers not only make a direct contribution to the environment but also gain practical insights into the design and maintenance of the capital’s green spaces.
Students and employees from SWPS University prepare ivy stock for planting
Taking stock of ivy plants before planting
Students and employees from USWPS plant ivy in the Arkadia Park in Warsaw
Students from USWPS hard at work planting ivy in the park
An instructor from the Warsaw Greenery Authority explains how to plant ivy in the park
Employees from SWPS University help to rebuild biodiversity in the Arkadia Park in Warsaw
SWPS University as active Partner in Community Initiatives
As a private institution, SWPS University exists to serve individuals, society, and the environment through education, research, the arts, and public engagement. Participating in the "Green Volunteering" program is just one example of our commitment to local initiatives that have a tangible impact on the city and society at large.
At SWPS University, we strive to ensure that sustainability is more than just a strategic goal or a line in a policy document; it must translate into tangible actions and experiences for our community. Through the ivy planting project in Warsaw’s Arkadia Park, organized as part of the “Green Volunteering” program, we contribute to shaping a more livable city alongside the Warsaw Green Authority. We also value the communal aspect of this initiative — the chance to connect, work together, and build a sense of agency around critical social and environmental issues. We are pleased that our membership in ERUA enables us to develop such initiatives and demonstrate that universities can play an active role in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Jakubik, Zuzanna
Sustainability Manager, SWPS University’s Office for Sustainable Development
First and last name
Zuzanna Jakubik
Academic degree or title
M.A.
Email
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Role in the university
Sustainable Development Manager
M.A. Zuzanna Jakubik
ERUA's Green Initiatives for the Planet
The planting day at Arkadia Park is part of SWPS University’s involvement in "ERUA Spring Clean-ups", a broader campaign organized by the European Reform University Alliance. This initiative sees member universities joining forces to promote environmental stewardship throughout the spring.
Between Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5), students and staff from member institutions in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain are engaging in local efforts to clean up local beaches and green spaces and plant new vegetation.
These activities reflect the ERUA alliance's commitment to ecological responsibility and its dedication to building relationships with local communities. By mobilizing students, staff, local authorities, and civil society organizations, ERUA member universities demonstrate that positive change begins in our immediate surroundings and that collective action across borders produces a significant impact on a larger scale.
ERUA Member Universities
Funding