Winners of the “Our Backyard” competition

Winners of the “Our Backyard” competition

23.12.2025

The Programme area is a unique place on the map of Europe, distinguished by its diverse landscapes and natural environment. In the current perspective, as many as 47 projects are being implemented under the ENVIRONMENT priority, with a budget of 99.5 MEUR, which accounts for nearly half of the total funds allocated to all projects within the Programme. These are substantial resources dedicated to investments aimed at improving and protecting the environment. However, they cannot address all needs in this area. Therefore, it is always worthwhile to complement large-scale actions with smaller initiatives carried out at the level of one’s own “backyards”.

This very idea inspired the competition, whose objective was to promote nature protection and care for aesthetics in the immediate surroundings, as well as to support entrepreneurship and engagement from an early age.

We received 31 submissions from across the entire Programme area and from various age groups, ranging from preschool children to active youth. The largest number of projects was submitted by primary school children (including special schools for children with disabilities), and their awareness and commitment at such a young age are particularly encouraging.

Regardless of the prizes awarded, we would like to congratulate ALL PARTICIPANTS of the competition for their active attitude and sense of responsibility for their surroundings. We firmly believe that every place improved for the better is the greatest reward for its creators and a source of joy for everyone who comes into contact with it. Each such initiative is also an excellent example showing that through cooperation and joint efforts, truly tangible results can be achieved — exactly as in the case of cross-border Polish-Ukrainian projects financed by the Interreg Poland–Ukraine Programme.


According to the Jury, the best mini-revitalisation projects meeting the competition criteria are:

  • “Flower Paradise” – submitted by: Mariia Pchola – family from Vereshchaky, branch of the Vyshhorod General Education School, grades I–III; pupils from I–IV class, age 6–10
  • “Our Little Garden” – submitted by: Liudmyla Nukalo – General Education School in Buhliv, grades I–III; pupils from V class, age 10
  • “School Flower Bed” – submitted by: Krystyna Mazurek – Primary School in Oszczepalin; pupils from VI–VIII class, age 11–14
  • “In the School Garden” – submitted by: Kateryna Klym – General Education School in Lopushne, grades I–II; pupils from V–IX class, age 11–14
  • “We Take Care of Our Patio” – submitted by: Anna Janota – Primary School No. 27 in Lublin; pupils from VIII class, age 14
  • “Our Backyard” – submitted by: Małgorzata Kawalec – Rehabilitation, Education, and Care Center in Mielec, Moniuszki branch; pupils, age 16–18
  • “Under the Catalpa Tree” – submitted by: Katarzyna Bober – UNICEF Special Schools Complex in Rzeszów; pupils, age 16–18

Additionally, appreciating aspects such as creativity, difficulty of the working process or simply the willingness to participate in our joint initiative, the Jury decided to recognise 6 additional projects:

  • “Insect House” – submitted by: Tetiana Ostapchuk – Municipal Preschool Education Center “Sunshine”, Lanivtsi; preschool children, age 6
  • “Flower Path” – submitted by: Beata Rynn – Primary School in Krzewica, pupils from II class, age 7–8
  • “Colourful Nature Corner” – submitted by: Malwina Filipiuk – Primary School in Styrzyniec; pupils from III class, age 9
  • “Under the Sky” – submitted by: Olha Sapozhnik – General Education School in Lanivtsi, grades I–III; pupils from VIII class, age 12–14
  • “Five-Star Hotel for Insects” – submitted by: Agnieszka Kędzior – Rehabilitation, Education, and Care Center in Mielec; pupils, age 15–16
  • “ART&ECO Space for Nature – Space for Us” – submitted by: Joanna Bułat – AgroEntrepreneurship School Complex in Rzeszów; pupils, age 17

Additionally, we will support 13 projects by sending flower bulbs, bird feeders, and wildflower meadow seeds so they can continue their work and showcase the full results in spring!


We will contact the competition winners individually to arrange delivery of the prizes.

We thank all participants for their submissions and the hard work put into each project. The results speak for themselves. Congratulations to the winners, and we already invite everyone to future competitions, which we will announce on this website as well as on the Program’s Facebook page.

Below, we present the winning projects in a summarised form. However, the photos shown do not fully capture the scope of the work and the participants’ dedication. Therefore, starting at the beginning of the new year, we will present each of the 13 projects individually, along with a full photo gallery, the people responsible for its implementation, and a description of what was accomplished within the project.

We encourage you to follow!