Final of the “Climate Action – Small Changes, Big Impact!” Competition during Climate-Con 2025

On 26 November 2025, during the 3rd Silesian Climate Convention Climate-Con, the grand finale of the “Climate Action – Small Changes, Big Impact!” competition took place. The event gathered pupils from grades IV–VIII of primary schools across the Silesian Voivodeship, as well as school management teams, teachers and mentors involved in delivering the competition projects. The atmosphere of the final was truly uplifting, filled with emotion, joy and inspiration drawn from the remarkable ideas and initiatives presented by young people.

About the competition

The competition was organised by the Silesian Voivodeship and the Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute (GIG-PIB).

The aim of the “Climate Action – Small Changes, Big Impact!” competition was to strengthen environmental awareness among pupils and promote active attitudes towards climate change. Participants were tasked with developing, implementing or presenting activities that genuinely contribute to adapting schools to changing climate conditions.

Schools and student teams could compete in three categories:

Category I – “School Space: Transform Your School for the Climate”
A project proposing solutions that increase the resilience of school buildings or grounds to extreme weather events.

Category II – “Education: Learn and Act for the Climate”
An initiative or educational campaign on climate change, aimed at the school or wider community.

Category III – “Adaptation: The School Transforms for the Climate”
Investment, renovation or organisational activities that enhance the school’s resilience to climate change, evaluated based on submitted materials and visits by the Competition Jury to three shortlisted schools.

The final ceremony was hosted by Ms Magda Libiszewska and Mr Krzysztof Rzyman, who from the very beginning emphasised how important youth engagement is in climate action. They highlighted that children often become ambassadors of change – teaching adults, inspiring their communities and showing that even the smallest actions can lead to significant results.

A particularly memorable, inspiring and emotional moment of the final were the presentations delivered by the three schools shortlisted in Category III.

The following schools presented their initiatives:

• General Jerzy Ziętek School Complex No. 1 in Katowice
• Adam Mickiewicz Primary School in Parzymiechy
• Polish Mountaineers Primary School No. 24 in Tychy

Each presentation showcased an extraordinary amount of work, dedication and care for the future of the younger generation. The performance by the pupils from Primary School No. 24 in Tychy was especially moving, bringing many in the audience to tears. It was a moment that demonstrated how deeply climate education can touch and unite a community.

Competition winners

The Competition Jury – composed of representatives of the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, GIG-PIB and the Moravian-Silesian Region – selected the winners in all three categories. Awards were presented by Mr Rafał Adamczyk, Member of the Board of the Silesian Voivodeship, and Mr Jan Bondaruk, Deputy Director for Environmental Engineering at GIG-PIB.

Category I – “School Space”

1st place:
Municipal Primary School No. 15 named after the Silesian Insurgents in Piekary Śląskie
Team: Laura Bułka, Paulina Szołtysik, Kuba Kaim, Igor Rogulski, Dominik Pleśniak
Mentor: Aleksandra Gącerz

2nd place:
Non-public Primary School with Special Units “Słoneczna Kraina” in Racibórz
Team: Mikołaj Kusma
Mentor: Agata Konfederak

3rd place:
Primary School No. 26 in Zabrze
Team: Brandon Sówka, Emilia Witeczek, Amelia Witeczek, Martyna Wasilewska, Lena Stępniak
Mentor: Aleksandra Niedziela

Category II – “Education”

1st place ex aequo:
Nicolaus Copernicus Primary School in Tworków
Team: Hanna Lis, Emilia Koczwara, Julia Soroka, Emilia Płaczek, Emilia Johann
Mentor: Justyna Wojda

Adam Mickiewicz Primary School in Parzymiechy
Team: Jakub Drab, Michał Ptak, Adam Kozak, Szymon Krotla, Tobiasz Grzyb
Mentor: Agata Wester

2nd place:
Janusz Korczak Bilingual Primary School No. 45 in Sosnowiec
Team: Lena Anielak, Lena Czekalska, Natalia Kuchciak, Natasza Nowak, Emilia Ziomko
Mentor: Agata Woźniak

3rd place:
School and Preschool Complex in Wilamowice
Team: Wiktoria Strasz, Anna Gąsiorek, Weronika Głąbek, Antoni Nowak, Filip Nowak
Mentors: Alina Kajta-Bożek, Kinga Gołąb

Category III – “Adaptation”

1st place:
Polish Mountaineers Primary School No. 24 in Tychy

2nd place:
Adam Mickiewicz Primary School in Parzymiechy

3rd place:
General Jerzy Ziętek School Complex No. 1 in Katowice

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all participants – both pupils and schools – for their dedication, passion and valuable actions taken for the climate. We know that every project, every activity and every initiative is an important step towards a better future. The competition final proved beautifully that the young generation wants to and can act for the climate. Through initiatives like this one, we build shared awareness and strengthen our collective resilience to climate change.