<< Background >>A study on “Education and information activities on animal welfare which was published by IRTA in 2016” identified whether animal welfare or any related issues were included the educational programmes for secondary education in the countries of Poland, Lithuania, Greece, North Macedonia and Spain as a compulsory or optional subject. The review of the school programmes showed that animal welfare (or related issues such as animal production, pets or wild animals) is not included in any national educational programme, nor in the national curricula, neither as a compulsory or optional subject. In most countries, the concept of animal welfare is integrated in pre-school education by means of games and pictures. In Poland, studies include cross-curricular themes and educational pathways covering topics such as ecological education or education for society, in which animal welfare could also be included.PAW project has been built upon the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes and on the Action Plan on Welfare 2006-2010 with the aim of developing and guaranteeing animal welfare and protection within the European Union (EU) and in other parts of the world. In addition, with the European Union Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals, it has guided states that 'Animal welfare is a societal concern that appeals to a wide public. Treatment of animals relates to ethics and is part of the Union's set of values. It is therefore relevant to communicate to children, young adults or the public at large to raise awareness of respect for animals and to promote responsible ownership.' Animals play a significant role in children's lives. How humans care for and consider the lives of animals is central to reducing levels of suffering - both deliberate and through lack of knowledge (RSPCA,2021). Unfortunately, not all children have families and friends who set good examples about respecting the lives of animals and being kind to animals doesn't always come naturally (ibid). Education experts believe that teaching children to care for and respect animals from an early age can bring about positive change for children and animals and surveys have highlighted that the majority of teachers would teach lessons about care for animals (RSPCA,2021). Encouraging empathy and compassion for living beings is important for young people's personal development and would result in a step-change improvement in some of the welfare issues that impact the lives of animals today such as neglect, litter and farming practices. These are important life skills that will also benefit society as a whole.The PAW project aims to develop transnational cooperation between organizations and to enhance their capacity building by bringing organizations from Poland, Greece, Spain, North Macedonia and Lithuania with diverse experience and expertise covering different needs and challenges. Moreover, the project aims to build activities, which aim to inclusion. In addition, the project brings an innovative aspect as a combination of EU policies about animal protection and welfare, awareness and education in schools. Overall, the PAW project aims to allow diverse organisations learn from each other, increase their capacity and operate jointly to improve the animal protection and welfare conditions in the partner countries. Moreover, the implementation of innovative practices and joint experiences and peer learning will up-scale the project results at local, regional and national level.<< Objectives >>Animals play a significant role in children's lives. How humans care for and consider the lives of animals is central to reducing levels of suffering - both deliberate and through lack of knowledge (RSPCA,2021). Unfortunately, not all children have families and friends who set good examples about respecting the lives of animals and being kind to animals doesn't always come naturally (ibid). Education experts believe that teaching children to care for and respect animals from an early age can bring about positive change for children and animals and surveys have highlighted that the majority of teachers would teach lessons about care for animals (RSPCA,2021). Encouraging empathy and compassion for living beings is important for young people's personal development and would result in a step-change improvement in some of the welfare issues that impact the lives of animals today such as neglect, litter and farming practices. When children learn about animal welfare, they're more likely to enjoy healthy relationships with animals and people throughout their lives. By developing young people's knowledge about animals, we can inspire the next generation and create a future that's kinder to animals.Although there are laws in place regarding companion animals Poland has a large population of stray and sheltered dogs, demonstrating the need for awareness-raising. It appears that current attitudes towards animals may present a barrier to progress. Additionally, there appear to be structural and resource issues acting as barriers, for example, local authorities are reported to struggle with funding shelters.In addition, the use of animals for therapeutic purposes – zootherapy or animal therapy involves various forms. The most commonly used method of rehabilitation and therapeutic treatments are the use of the direct assistance of the animals (Gardiánová & Hejrová, 2015). In both the broader world, there are very widely used methods including the most well-known horses and dogs, hipotherapy and canistherapy. It is also possible to use other animal species and categories such as farm animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and llamas) and other more exotic animals including the use of dolphins. These are used in addition to species that we could classify as small animals and pets (ibid). It is possible to include in this group of small pets, such creatures as cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, fish, etc. They are also used in schools, zoos, hospitals and homes for the elderly. Homes for the elderly and hospitals can also benefit from birds (most of them already have parrots and other species). The other alternative is an aquarium with fish.The PAW Project is built around the EU Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals, which focuses on key activities and acts as guiding instrument for development and promotion of co-operation between EU Institutions, Member States, educational and animal welfare stakeholders. The Commission would like to achieve the following objectives: define more clearly EU action on animal welfare, continue to promote high standards in this field, provide greater coordination of resource, support research and promote alternatives to animal testing, ensure the coherence and coordination of all EU policies on animal welfare.The plan focusing around the following main axes:•On the promotion of participation in animal protection and welfare activities •Investment in mental health promotion through zootherapy•Skills and qualifications in animal protection and welfare will be prioritized through best practice exchanges and knowledge building organizations<< Implementation >>Output 11.1.Mapping of national needs & best practices per country: good practices identification and benchmarking of successful strategies1.2.PAW benchmarking report: a report collecting national data and best practices. It will include recommendations.Output 22.1.PAW educational material: Designing and development of digital and multimedia educational material2.2.Guide for teachers: integration of the subject (animal protection) in the school curriculum 2.3.Handbook for parents: documentation of animal welfare websites, trainers, shelters and animal associationsOutput 33.1.Piloting sessions: sessions in primary schools, one session in each partner school with minimum of 20 participants in each session3.2.Sessions with parents about zootherapy: one session in each partner school with thematic of animal therapy as an adjunctive form of treatment for children with learning disabilities and mental disorders.Output 4Dissemination Communication and dissemination of the project’s main activities and results:4.1.Multiplier events organised by all partners at national levels: Awareness campaign: “Adopt a stray animal in your school”. Awareness raising campaign targeting educational sector specially schools to adopt a stray animal and include the method of therapeutic contact with animals(zootherapy) in the schools4.2.Creation of the visual identity of the project. 4.3.Development of promotional material such as leaflets, posters, gadgets etc.After the project’s completion the following outputs will be created: •The project’s forum and digital material, which will be lasted up until two years after the project’s completion, available in an open access form.•All project printed material which can be used for follow-up campaigns•A fully developed open accessed material on animal education directed to schools•Online and printed guides for educators and parents<< Results >>The project aims to have concete results through its main deliverables: - It will create a concete benchmarking report for the data about animal welfare and animal rights in Greece, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Poland and Spain. It will also include best practices from all over Europe. - It will create a MOOC educational material translated in all partners languages related to animal rights and protection of animal welfare.- It will create a guide for educators and teachers on how to inform and raise awareness of children about animal rights and protection of animal welfare- It will produce a handbook freely accessible for parents in Greece, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland and Spain-It will run piloting sessions for at least 30 students (minimum 90 in total) from each school, which participates in the project, in Greece, Lithuania and North Macedonia-It will organise 3 multiplier events in Greece, Lithuania and North Macedonia and final Conference for the multiplications of project's results.