INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISER

Support Green School Romania: Help Us Reignite Our Mission and Secure Our Future

For a decade, Green School Romania has pioneered nature-based education, creating life-changing learning experiences that foster curiosity, growth, and a deep connection to nature. Our programs – from our nature-based kindergarten and self-directed school to beloved summer camps, teacher training, and parenting courses – have made a significant impact on our community and contributed to educational practices at national and international levels.

We hosted different teams of international volunteers, we hosted 3 years in a raw students from other countries to learn about our model, we hosted local students for their practice in different fields, we trained teachers in nature based education and in educational methodologies, from graphic facilitation in class to assertive communication and conflict management; we pioneered the world of self-directed education in Romania, our teachers or children were invited to participate as guests in events hosted by University of Delaware, Summerhill School (while celebrating 100 years of Summerhill), ASDE – The Alliance for Self-Directed Education, our facilitators were speakers at nature & forest school events in different countries, among them Switzerland, Poland, USA, Romania. 

We created a school in which every child has a learning plan and a coach willing to support the child in creating the plan and reaching their goals. We created a large array of activities so children could create their own schedule, according to their own interests, needs and wishes, from how to make a fire or carve wood, to music, project management, gardening, crafting, painting, drawing, mathematics, to Romanian, English, Italian, Japanese, French, digital drawing, sculpture, D&D, board games, research in sociology and education, Atlas of the Heart, kindness, science of happiness, crafting, felting, geography, astrophysics, nutrition, cooking, fire cooking, linocut, financial literacy, pottery, coding, web design, knitting, Flying Squad, skiing, snowboarding, basketball, soccer, skateboarding, newspaper and much, much more. Our children create public events for families or the local community where they share and show the results of their learning: from science fairs, debate games, braille typed books, blindfolded dinners, exhibitions, books and book launches, theatre plays and more. 

We host 3 world cafes every year so the families from our community can offer their feedback, ideas and support, as we are together in the mission of offering learning opportunities for their children. All these, while we also are committed to learn with and from specialists and colleagues around the world. We have trained facilitators in nature-based education, in the Circle Of Security and Attachment Theory, in project-based learning, risk taking activities, snail model for learning experiences design, in nonviolent communication and we have our own learning plans. We are committed to learn and do better each day. We admit when we do not know or when we make mistakes and we show up as we are, authentic and human. We had ups and downs, but we worked with motivation, discipline and determination to continue being an option for families in Cluj-Napoca and beneficiaries around the world.

However, the pandemic has left a lasting impact on our organization. Despite our best efforts to adapt and continue serving our community, the financial toll has been severe. While our school remained a happy, safe place for learning, we struggled to navigate the legal and fiscal challenges, leading to debts that now threaten our future. These accumulated debts have not only jeopardised our financial stability but also blocked access to crucial grants and sponsorships. Despite our resilience and commitment, declining enrollment and unpredictable legal hurdles have made it impossible to recover on our own.

We now turn to you, our community of supporters, to help us get back on track and secure the future of this unique educational alternative in Romania.

How Your Donation Will Make a Difference

Your support will directly help us eliminate debts and restore our ability to seek funding for future projects. Donations will be used to:

1. Settle debts with the Romanian government: This will restore our eligibility for grants, sponsorships, and other financial assistance, allowing us to focus on our educational mission.

2. Obtain recognition as an International School: Covering the costs for necessary authorizations and an impact study will enable us to access new funding opportunities, receive local government support, and offer students benefits like discounted museum entries and public transportation.

3. Hire a dedicated school administrator for one year: Professional support will help us navigate the authorization process and secure essential grants.

Why We Need Your Help Now!

The pandemic’s impact has been profound. Enrollment numbers have declined, financial burdens have increased, and our ability to focus on innovative education has been hampered. Without immediate support, the future of us as alternative as nature-based, self-directed education in Romania is at risk. We have always been like a creative, motivated child that everyone loves, but our “bad grades” in the form of debts have kept us from reaching our full potential.

Your Contribution Can Secure Our Future

Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer to financial stability and allows us to focus once again on what truly matters: providing meaningful educational experiences for children and families. With your support, we can overcome this challenging chapter and continue shaping the lives of learners.

Donate now to keep the spirit of natural learning in nature alive and help us grow stronger than ever.

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Updates for our campaign:

Coming soon