Forest People’s University – learning without walls, living closer to nature

The history of the Forest People’s University (LUL) began even before the association was formally established in 2021 in Zlotow. At first it was local, grassroots workshops and events organized by passionate educators, foresters, social activists and cultural people. Meetings were held in schools, day care centers, gardens and forests, and their common denominator was the need to teach people to live in harmony with nature. The organizers acted from the conviction that nature and community are values worth caring for.

Over time, these initiatives began to form a coherent concept. The turning point came when passionate people from different backgrounds – educators, educators, therapists, craftsmen – met in one place. They came to the conclusion that in Poland environmental education is focused almost exclusively on children and adolescents. Meanwhile, it is adults – parents, teachers, local leaders – who shape the approach to nature in everyday life: through consumer choices, resource management, ways of spending leisure time.

A university that will not be closed by walls….

This reflection gave birth to the idea of creating a Forest People’s University – a place that has no walls or rigid framework. It draws inspiration from the European tradition of people’s universities developed since the 19th century, where education was treated as a lifelong process. – This is a university of people, not walls. We create a space where everyone can share their experience and learn from others – LUL co-founder Magdalena Przybyła-Małka emphasizes.

The People’s University in Zlotow responds to contemporary challenges: the climate crisis, the need to rebuild social ties and the search for more sustainable ways of living. From its inception, it has been a meeting space in which the participant is not a passive listener, but a co-creator of the program.

Learning a holistic approach

The foundation of LUL is Grundtvigian pedagogy, derived from the thought of Danish philosopher N.F.S. Grundtvig. Its essence is learning through experience, community and dialogue. It is not about handing down ready-made prescriptions, but about people searching together for answers and solutions – learning from each other and acting in practice.

This approach encompasses the whole person: intellect, emotions, body and causality. That’s why classes are held in a natural setting: in the forest, garden, carpentry workshop, field kitchen. Participants can immediately test the knowledge they gain, and the learning process becomes a full experience.

The LUL staff is made up of practitioners – specialists in permaculture, forest bathing, forest and hunting cuisine, herbalism or traditional crafts. They draw their knowledge not only from theory, but also from daily life close to nature. Educators, therapists, local artists and craftsmen also contribute to the class program. The cooperation goes beyond Poland – the classes included an educator from Denmark, who taught the construction of clay bread ovens.

Forest of ecological and civic benefits – a course that changes perspective

The highlight of recent years was a two-week residential course Forest of ecological and civic benefits, realized in Radawnica near Zlotow. It brought together participants from all over Poland – teachers, therapists, cultural animators, social activists and nature lovers.

– People are moving further and further away from the forest, from their roots. We want to show that you can live closer to nature, more self-sufficient and healthy – Says Dominika Nadolna, co-founder of LUL.

The course program included both practical activities and reflection on the role of the forest and nature in modern life.

From permaculture to bread oven – practice instead of theory

During the workshop, participants set up permaculture beds, created furniture from reclaimed materials, and prepared natural cosmetics and cleaning products. They also learned how to use forest herbs in the kitchen and home first aid kit. One of the most anticipated moments was building a clay bread oven together under the guidance of a Danish mentor. – Permaculture begins with observing the environment and interacting with it. It is a process in which the garden becomes part of the ecosystem – explained workshop leader Katarzyna Stasiuk.

In addition to practical activities, there were forest baths, musical meditations, art workshops and discussions on ecology. – It is about educating the whole person: intellect, body and emotions. Therefore, we focus on experiential learning – Anna Musiał-Kosecka, the group’s supervisor, emphasized.

LUL consistently focuses on integrating different communities. People from all over the country meet here – local leaders, teachers, parents and people seeking lifestyle change. The knowledge gained in the courses later reaches local communities and becomes the impetus for further actions.

A space for meeting, dialogue and action

The LUL program covers a wide range of topics – from ecology and self-sufficiency, to healthy lifestyles, to culture and the arts. There are modules on water retention, the role of forests in water management, permaculture, herbalism, natural building or zero waste in practice. Everything is done in the spirit of learning by doing.

The Forest of Ecological and Civic Benefits course was implemented with the support of the National Liberty Institute – Center for the Development of Civil Society within the framework of the NEWFIO 2021-2030 program. This is an example of how combining the idea of people’s universities with a modern approach to ecology can become a tool for social change.

Forest People’s University shows that adult education doesn’t have to be confined to lecture halls. It can be an engaging, community-based and hands-on process. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, and nature becomes the best teacher.

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Source: based on material prepared by Magdalena Przybyla-Malka