Ecological Approach to Facilitating Non Formal Learning Activities

Özet, Erasmus+ Project Results platformunda yayımlanan İngilizce metindir.

Amaç

By implementing the project, we aimed to achieve several objectives related to enhancing youth work and promoting eco-conscious practices. The primary goals were:
Enhancing youth work impact by equipping youth workers with eco-facilitation tools and principles.
Integrating eco-friendly practices into youth work and learning activities for young people.
Fostering eco-conscious attitudes and values among youth workers to empower young people, promoting stronger connections with their communities and the natural world, while balancing personal well-being with environmental well-being.
The project was grounded in ecopsychology, a branch of psychology established in the 1990s, which posits that mental health and well-being can be improved by fostering healthy relationships with the environment and the community. Through this perspective, eco-facilitation was developed as a profession to enhance the impact of youth work by applying its principles and tools.

The training course successfully transferred these eco-facilitation principles to youth workers already active in areas such as mentoring, learning facilitation, counselling, or therapy. It addressed issues such as isolation and self-centered worldviews by introducing methods that connected participants to the community and the biosphere.

Participants underwent preparatory activities, including tests in positive psychology and nature connectedness, followed by non-formal education activities. Through these efforts, they learned to integrate eco-based techniques into their youth work and shared their learning outcomes with youth groups and communities. The final phase involved creating action plans aimed at incorporating ecopsychology-based activities into youth work to meet the following needs:
Addressing climate anxiety affecting young people.
Strengthening the impact of youth work at local, European, and global levels.
Promoting sustainable and ecological attitudes and values.
The project also emphasized principles such as competition removal, partnership, and cooperation, mutuality in learning processes, and the inclusion of active imagination and experiential cycles. It offered participants freedom to choose their level of challenge, ensured autonomy in adopting the tools, and allowed non-verbal methods of self-expression. These elements were complemented by the use of rituals and rites of passage, fostering an understanding of the bigger picture and the roots of ecological practices.

Ultimately, the project achieved its aim of enhancing the effectiveness of youth work through eco-facilitation and promoting a balance between individual well-being and environmental sustainability.

Uygulama

During the project, we implemented a range of activities divided into three phases: preparation, implementation, and follow-up.

Preparation:
In the preparation phase, participants completed application forms outlining their motivations, backgrounds, and potential contributions to the program. This information allowed us to ensure inclusiveness, diversity, and gender balance, while also addressing any personal, medical, or health needs. Participants received a manual on Ecopsychology and Youth Work, which introduced them to the topic. An online session was held to enable participants to get to know each other, clarify expectations, and address any questions or concerns. During this phase, participants confirmed or declined disclaimers related to outdoor activities and provided necessary GDPR or privacy permits.

Implementation:
The program followed a structured sequence of activities:
Team Building: The training began with team-building exercises to create a positive, supportive, and safe atmosphere.
Introduction to Ecopsychology and Eco-Facilitation: Participants were introduced to the core concepts of ecopsychology and eco-facilitation.
Experiential Learning: A personal and individual approach allowed participants to experience the benefits of eco-facilitation tools firsthand.
Application of Tools: Participants practiced and applied eco-facilitation tools, culminating in the development of action plans for integrating these methods into their own youth work practices.
Follow-Up: After completing the training, participants conducted local actions targeting youth in their communities. These activities enabled them to apply and disseminate the knowledge and skills acquired during the program.

Number and Profile of Participants
The project engaged 35 participants who had basic to intermediate experience in youth work. These individuals were active in youth groups or organizations, serving as facilitators, trainers, mentors, counsellors, or psychologists. All participants demonstrated a strong willingness to acquire eco-facilitation tools and integrate these methods into their regular youth work practices.

Sonuçlar

The project achieved multiple impacts at different levels:

Impact on Participants:
The youth workers who participated in the project gained direct, hands-on experience with eco-facilitation tools developed from eco-coaching and ecopsychology. They learned the value of creating positive and constructive interactions with the natural world and their communities. Additionally, they were equipped with non-formal education tools for eco-facilitation, enabling them to pursue personal growth, goal-setting, learning, development, and the realization of their desired futures.

Impact on Local Youth:
Through the application of eco-facilitation tools by the trained youth workers, local youth benefited significantly. These tools facilitated goal-setting, empowerment, learning, and development, providing positive experiences and fostering constructive interactions with their communities and the natural world. This process contributed to a more optimistic outlook on their futures and a stronger sense of ownership over their learning and development outcomes.

Impact on Partner Organisations:
The partner organisations involved in the project now have trained youth workers equipped with fundamental eco-facilitation tools. These tools have enhanced their capacity to provide impactful youth work, deepening learning and development processes. The trained youth workers also addressed climate anxiety and promoted empowerment and optimism among young people, strengthening their sense of belonging to their communities and the natural world.