One of the most beautiful examples of best practices that has taken root long after the completion of the project carried out by the OliEdu Foundation for the Ministry of National Education is the Tree of Happiness.
It is a symbol of sustainability, but above all, proof that well-planned educational activities for young people—such as those carried out by the OliEdu Foundation for the Ministry of National Education—can yield real and long-term results.
The project “School Without Violence – Together for Health! Promoting Mental Health by Preventing Peer Violence” was funded by the Ministry of National Education as part of the National Health Program 2021–2025. Its goal was to effectively combat school violence and strengthen students’ mental health through systemic solutions and practical tools.
Today we can proudly say—the project has ended, but its effects live on!
The Tree of Happiness is more than just a symbol
The Tree of Happiness is a shared space (real or symbolic) where students, teachers, and parents place “leaves” with kind words, gestures of support, examples of kindness, and constructive responses to violence.
It’s a simple yet extremely effective tool:
- it fosters positive communication
- strengthens students’ sense of agency
- develops social and emotional competencies
- teaches students how to respond to violence in a safe and supportive manner
In practice, this is an example of how civic education, workshops, and well-planned social training programs can transform everyday school life.
Real change in schools
As part of the project, we conducted comprehensive educational activities for young people and teaching staff. It was a broad social initiative for children and youth, including:
- workshops developing emotional and social competencies,
- support for teachers in creating a safe school environment,
- sharing best practices during conferences,
- creating space for dialogue and collaboration.
As an organization active in the fields of health and education, we carry out projects that align with the mission pursued by every responsible health and education foundation, as well as by a modern civic education foundation. Our initiatives are not one-time events, but a process of building lasting change.
The continuity of our activities demonstrates that the OliEdu Foundation has implemented a project that does not end with the funding.
The greatest value of the project lies in its long-term results:
- The Tree of Happiness has become a permanent part of the schools’ organizational culture.
- Teachers use the tools developed in their daily work.
- Students feel a greater sense of responsibility for the classroom atmosphere.
- Schools have specific strategies for responding to peer violence.
This proves that effective health promotion and educational projects require consistency, partnership, and continuity of action. As a social foundation, this is exactly how we operate—by building solutions that remain in schools for years to come.
Working together for the mental health of young people—that’s how the OliEdu Foundation operates!
We thank all schools, teachers, students, and partners for their commitment. Together, we’ve proven that a violence-free school is possible—when we combine civic education, systemic support, and practical tools.
The Tree of Happiness continues to grow. And along with it, the responsibility, empathy, and strength of young people grow as well.
For example, at the Special Education School Complex in Zawadzkie, a unique “Tree of Happiness” has sprung up, created thanks to inspiration from the OliEdu Foundation and Good Practices, as well as a huge dose of creativity from the students! They created the leaves, ideas, and slogans with their own hands, showing that happiness truly grows at school.
The result?
A tree that doesn’t need to be watered, but definitely needs to be nourished with kind words and smiles. Below you can see photos from the Special Education School Complex in Zawadzkie.
