Bat2Life

26/05/2026

07/05/2026

🦇 Learning about bats together in Transcarpathia!

Our Ukrainian partners shared highlights from an educational event for young scouts in Berehove, where participants explored the fascinating world of bats during a nature training session held in the historic underground cellar of Prince Gábor Bethlen’s Manor.

Led by IERS expert Leonid Pokrytiuk, the workshop introduced children to the lives of bats, their important role in ecosystems, and the reasons behind their declining populations. The session also helped dispel common myths and encouraged a more thoughtful attitude toward these unique animals.

One of the most exciting parts for the students was learning about “bat boxes” — special shelters for bats — which they could not only see, but also assemble themselves during a hands-on workshop. Interactive activities and educational materials helped participants deepen their knowledge while working together in small groups.

Beyond learning about nature, the event also gave children a chance to step away from everyday stress, be curious, creative, and explore the world around them. Bat and owl stickers became a joyful reminder of the day. 🦉

🔹 The event was organized within the framework of the EU-funded technical assistance project Bat2Life – “Joint protection of bats in the border regions of Romania and Ukraine through increasing environmental awareness among local communities” (ROUA00346).

The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme is funded by the European Union and co-financed by the participating countries. The content of this material is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies” and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme.

07/05/2026

🦇 Children helping bats — and bats helping children 🫶

Students of Class 4-A at Uzhhorod Lyceum No. 15 took part in an engaging educational workshop about bats, led by bat expert Ruslana Dzhahman from the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies.

During the session, the children explored the fascinating diversity of bats, learned about bat rehabilitation centres, and discovered how people can help protect these important animals. One of the highlights for the students was the “bat box” — a special shelter for bats — which they had the opportunity to assemble themselves during a hands-on workshop.

Interactive activities and educational materials helped the participants reinforce their new knowledge, while the lively discussions about nature and creative tasks gave the children a chance to step away from daily stress and simply enjoy being curious young explorers of the natural world. Bright bat and owl stickers became a warm memory of the day.

🔹 This activity was implemented within the framework of the European Union technical assistance project Bat2Life – “Joint protection of bats in the border regions of Romania and Ukraine through increasing environmental awareness of local communities” (ROUA00346).

The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme is funded by the European Union and co-financed by the participating countries. The content of this material is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies” and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme.

16/04/2026

14/04/2026

Are bats entangled in their hair? 🙆 ♀️🦇
One of the most common fears is that a bat can get tangled in your hair. This myth is so alive that it is passed from generation to generation without any support by real examples.
In fact, bats are extremely accurate navigators. They navigate through echolocation: they emit ultrasound and perceive its reflection from objects. This is how they "see" space even in complete darkness.
Thanks to this system of bats are able to distinguish items of zavtovški from human hair. So the idea that he won't notice the whole head is absurd. The bat knows perfectly where you are and specially flies you.
The impression of "attack" comes rather because we ourselves notice it too late - a bat is fast, silent and often unexpectedly changes the direction of flight.
Instead of panicking, thank the bat for saving you from another mosquito bite!

11/04/2026

Did you know why you don’t need to wear a hat indoors if a bat accidentally flies into your home? Or why it’s basically impossible to wake up one morning with two vampire-like bite marks on your neck just because a tiny bat fluttered out your window? And if something like that does happen… it almost certainly has nothing to do with the bat 😉
These are just a few of the fun and surprising facts kids can learn when they join our project activities and sit down to play the CHIROP TERRA board game.
Through play, curiosity, and a bit of myth-busting, children discover the real lives of bats — not the scary stories, but the fascinating truth about these important and misunderstood animals 🦇🌍
Learning can be fun, engaging, and just a little bit magical — especially when it helps us see nature more clearly 💚

Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS Asociația E-Consult Egyesület

11/04/2026

If you wear cotton clothes, drink coffee or tea, eat corn, or many other agricultural products – bats have already influenced your life, even if you haven’t thought about it.
🦟➡️🦇➡️🦉 In Ukraine and Europe, bats primarily control the population of nocturnal insects — the very ones that damage crops, harm forests, or spread diseases. In just one night, even a small group of bats can destroy hundreds or thousands of insects. They are true natural “insecticides” — a real mechanism for maintaining ecological balance that works every night, for free.
In addition, bats are an important part of the diet of other animals. They are hunted by owls, hawks, martens, and snakes. When one element disappears, the behavior and population of others change — the ecosystem begins to function less effectively, even if it’s not immediately noticeable.
Another important role of bats is serving as indicators of environmental health. They are very sensitive to the disappearance of insects, pollution, and the destruction of shelters. When bat populations decline, it often signals that the ecosystem has already undergone serious changes — we just haven’t fully realized it yet.
🌺🍌🌳 Looking more broadly at the global level, bats play even more roles. In the tropics, they pollinate night-blooming plants, without which there would be no agave, bananas, mangoes, and dozens of other crops. Fruit-eating species spread seeds over long distances, helping forests regenerate in logged or burned areas.
❗️ In nature, there are no “extra” species.
Every bat that disappears is another crack in the system we all depend on.

🔹 This publication is presented with the support of the European Union. The NGO “Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies” is solely responsible for the content of this publication, and it does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the management structures of the Interreg VI-A NEXT 2021–2027 Programme.
Official Programme website: www.ro-ua.net
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme is funded by the European Union and co-financed by the participating countries.
This publication was created within the project ROUA00346 “Joint protection of bats in the border regions of Romania and Ukraine through raising environmental awareness among local communities” – Bat2Life.

29/01/2026

🦇✨ COMING SOON! ✨🦇
LILI AND THE BATS - Interactive Manual for Children
Something magical is on its way…
An interactive journey full of curiosity, courage, and unexpected batty friends 🖤Stay tuned if you believe learning can be playful, brave, and a little mysterious.
-Asociația E-Consult Egyesület Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS