| 4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
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The uniqueness of this initiative is demonstrated by the fact that the content is communicated to the people involved in a playful way. It is especially important for refugees to be given the opportunity to cope with their fears in an informal atmosphere.
Since the forest school is located in the middle of Graz and the forest school team consists solely of certified forestry educators who are also specially trained in dealing with these groups of people, a high-quality service can be offered to the entire population.
By having the forest school as a cooperation partner, GBG is able to offer these opportunities free of charge.
In addition, cooperation with institutions which are particularly well known in the fields of integration, accessibility, pedagogy and the environment has been cultivated.
(www.graz.at/integration, Unit for accessibility http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10026599/421916, Environmental agency of the City of Graz www.umwelt.graz.at
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| 5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
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The forest school first put down roots in 1883, when Count Heinrich von Attems and Emperor Franz Joseph I built the buildings used by the forest school. The proximity of the forest school to public transport and the Hilmteich was the goal of this school from the outset, so that disabled access – not only to the buildings but also in terms of accessibility – could be ensured. Equally, the extent of the forest school design was ensured by strategic partners such as the City of Graz, the Rotary Club of Graz, the Federal State of Styria and, since 2015, the Styrian Forest Association. Through the addition of further sponsors/advocates such as Steiermärkische Sparkasse and insurance companies, the clientele was expanded – particularly in the last two years – thus making year-round activities a reality.
"Gebäude- und Baumanagement Graz GmbH" or GBG for short (English: Building and Construction Management Graz) is at the core as a central service provider for "das Haus Graz" (the City of Graz and its investments) in the area of sustainable housing management. In GBG's environmental policy, sustainable action in the course of the property life cycle is just as important as sustainable forest management and the knowledge that the forest school passes on.
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| 6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
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The strategic points of this initiative were already established by the municipal council in the 2001 strategy paper "Integral Planning of Urban Forests" and were economically secured in the course of the contribution agreement between the City of Graz and GBG.
The specific economic effects in terms of revenue and cost are reproduced and annually updated in a business plan.
The opening of the initiative for the two specific target groups (minors with migrant backgrounds, people with disabilities) was made possible by additional support from the public authorities and private sponsors. The cost contribution is the same for each individual, however, an estimated 10% of revenues gained by people with disabilities and supervised minors is financed by sponsors, organisations and public funds.
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| 7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
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In addition to the above-mentioned cooperation partners, a decision is made each year on the annual measures concerning sustainable forest management, including the forest school with representatives from politics at a city and state level as well as institutions such as the Nature Conservation Council of the City of Graz, at this meeting the NGOs of nature conservation organisations and citizens' initiatives are represented.
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| 8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
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• Annual increases in the number of visitors of approx. 10% (2005 to 2016), i.e 3,500 people in 2016
• Interest of advocates to support this initiative. Currently 6 sponsors
• Special certification for the 4 forest educators for the two target groups mentioned above
• Clear increase in the participants' understanding of nature and the environment
• Development of the Hilmteich site for the above mentioned target groups
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| 9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
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Initially, the broad agreement on the necessity of this initiative was not reached at all levels and suitable lobbying and awareness-raising activities respectively had to be carried out.
First of all the economic prerequisites did not exist and it was necessary to rethink the framework conditions for the operation of the forest school.
By gaining new cooperation partners/sponsors and making organisational adaptations, it was possible to overcome these hurdles.
Within the circle of employees a detailed knowledge of the above-mentioned target groups had to be established and sensitised, which was aided by specialists.
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