Each of us leaves a footprint. The question is not whether we leave one, but what kind it will be.
The Roots & Shoots program, founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, gives young people around the world the opportunity to consciously shape this footprint through real-world projects that help people, nature, and society. Now, you have this opportunity right here at FEI STU.
Roots & Shoots is a global program of the Jane Goodall Institute, which was established in 1991 and currently operates in more than 100 countries. Its goal is to empower young people to implement the changes they care about most. At the same time, it is designed so that participants acquire and strengthen a mindset and skills essential for a more peaceful and sustainable world—empathy, leadership skills, project management, communication abilities, and environmental awareness. The program operates on a simple principle: "observe → think → act."
Members of Roots & Shoots teams identify problems in their local areas and transform them into concrete projects, ranging from environmental solutions to technological innovations.
How Does the Program Work?
The program will teach you a universal project management model (the Roots & Shoots 4-step model):
- Identifying the problem
- Community mapping
- Project implementation (including crowdfunding)
- Evaluating and sharing results
You will find this model useful not only during the project but also throughout your future career.
Support for Your Ideas
The program provides:
- A project grant (up to €1,000 per team)
- Crowdfunding training
- Mentoring, workshops, and lectures from experts
- Implementation support
- The option to choose a team that communicates in either Slovak or English
Program Structure
- Meetings 2 to 4 times a month
- Small teams (up to approximately 10 students)
- Program available in both Slovak and English
- Duration spans over the semester
Why Get Involved?
- You want to do something real, not just study theory
- You want to gain valuable experience
- You want to work on your own project
- You want to be part of a global community (Roots & Shoots operates worldwide, offering opportunities for international collaboration)
Join Roots & Shoots at FEI STU
No prior experience is needed. All you need is curiosity, a desire to create, and a willingness to change things for the better. Sign up and start your project this semester!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jana Tóthová via email at jana.tothova@stuba.sk, or in person at TIŠ FEI STU on working days between 10:00 and 14:00.
Who is Jane Goodall?
Dr. Jane Goodall is one of the world's most prominent scientists. Dr. Goodall became famous for her research on chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, which fundamentally influenced science and our understanding of nature. She later expanded her efforts and became a global advocate for environmental protection, animal rights, and human rights.
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), and in 1991, she created the Roots & Shoots program—a worldwide initiative for young people that currently operates in more than 100 countries. In 2002, she was appointed a UN Messenger of Peace. She is the author of more than 30 books and has dedicated her entire life to spreading a message of hope through lectures, education, and activism. Her philosophy forms the foundation of the Roots & Shoots program.
"Every individual can make a difference." – Dr. Jane Goodall
Roots & Shoots in Slovakia
We implement the Roots & Shoots program at FEI STU in cooperation with the Green Foundation, based on a Memorandum of Cooperation. The Green Foundation has been implementing Roots & Shoots in Slovakia since 2016. Throughout this period, it has collaborated with more than 150 schools and engaged over 2,500 students, who have implemented more than 220 projects with an impact on over 60,000 people.
According to research conducted by the Green Foundation in cooperation with Masaryk University, high school participants in a single edition of Roots & Shoots in Slovakia experienced a:
- 73% increase in critical thinking
- 92% increase in empathy
- 85% increase in interest in their community and surroundings
More Information
The Green Foundation, our partner organization, has prepared a Slovak translation of the course The Entrance Track: Roots & Shoots Foundation from the Jane Goodall Institute.
