Fjordane Folk High School in second place in the Folk High Schools' sustainability rating in 2024
Fjordane Folk High School is a climate-motivated folk high school. Photo: Fjordane Folk High School
Fjordane Folk High School has been working purposefully with sustainability for several years, and now its efforts have been noticed. The folk high school in Nordfjordeid recently came in second place in the sustainability ranking of folk high schools in Norway.
Published: 15.01.2025.
– This means a lot to us and we are very proud of second place. Sustainability has been a natural part of our school routine for several years, so this recognition inspires us to go even further, says principal Silvia van Hesik Førde.
Honors to Fjordane at the Folk High Schools Sustainability Award 2024
From the speech at the award ceremony, the following was said about Fjordane Folk High School: " Before we choose the winner, we would therefore like to honor Fjordane Folk High School - the school that, despite not winning, has impressed the jury. The school deserves praise for only traveling by plane for a one-way study trip and for cutting emissions through the use of fjord heating and a new environmental station.
In addition, the educational efforts were highlighted, where students learn about sustainability through concrete measures, such as the school's greenhouse and calls for recycling. The award is part of the five folk high school boards' sustainability decision, and the jury consisted of representatives from the UN, Miljøfyrtårn and the folk high schools centrally.
Principal Silvia van Hesik Førde in the school's kitchen garden.
A climate-motivated folk high school
Fjordane Folk High School was Environmental Lighthouse certified in 2020, and in the same year received Debio bronze for its commitment to organic food.
– It's about making conscious choices every day. We want our students to take good habits with them into their lives, whether it's choosing locally sourced food, traveling more environmentally friendly and encouraging short trips, as well as contributing to the community , says Førde.
The school grows its own vegetables, herbs and berries in a 100 square meter vegetable garden.
– The students themselves are involved in the entire process, from planting, care and harvesting. This helps give them a completely different understanding of where the food comes from, and makes the meal even more special , says the principal.
The kitchen bakes its own sourdough bread, ferments vegetables and prioritizes local produce whenever possible. With good ingredients, students are served tasty and nutritious meals four times a day, always with vegetarian and vegan options. At least 1–2 dinners a week are purely vegetarian dishes.
Prioritizes short-term experiences
With fjords, mountains and the sea right outside your door, Fjordane Folk High School made a conscious choice to prioritize local trips over long trips abroad.
– Why travel far off the beaten track when we live in the middle of the most beautiful nature in the world? asks Silvia.
The school offers nature experiences such as surfing in Hoddevik, winter trips to Stigedalen and fjord camping in Krokpollen. When the lines travel abroad, they choose bus over plane.
– Bus travel allows us to experience more of the countries we visit, while reducing our carbon footprint , explains Silvia.
A year of meaning
Sustainability is not just about the environment, but also about social responsibility. Throughout the year, students contribute with everything from beach cleanups and litter picking to the aid project "Project Philippines" which aims to help children and young people in the country have a brighter future.
– It's not just about the climate, but about caring about others. We want the students to experience that small actions can mean a lot , says Silvia.
That Fjordane Folk High School has now been named one of the most sustainable folk high schools in the country, is an important confirmation of important work.
– We are proud, but not finished. This is work that must continue every single day, and we hope we can inspire others to do the same , concludes Førde.
This greenhouse grows tasty tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Everything is organically grown, of course.