Project Overview
Project Reference: 2024-1-SI02-KA153-YOU-000234036
Status: Completed
Duration: June 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
EU Grant: €38,199
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Mobility of Youth Workers
Countries Involved: Slovenia, Italy, Estonia, Netherlands, Croatia, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, France, Serbia, Germany
Background
In recent years, youth workers across Europe have seen a growing need for new methods to support young people’s mental health. Climate anxiety, stress, and emotional struggles are becoming more common among youth. At the same time, nature and experiential learning offer powerful, yet underused tools for well-being. The Šepetanje narave (“Whispering of Nature”) project was created to train youth workers in using nature-based, holistic approaches to mental and emotional health.
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Objectives
The project aimed to strengthen youth workers’ abilities to support young people through eco-psychology, positive psychology, and experiential education. It focused on holistic development by balancing physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual aspects. The project also aimed to raise awareness of climate change impacts on youth, and provide practical tools for coping. A long-term goal was to build a strong international network of youth organisations using nature as a learning and support tool.
Implementation
The core activity of the project was an international training course held in Slovenia with 29 participants from 11 countries. These were youth workers and educators who regularly support young people. The training combined theoretical sessions with nature-based practices such as “The Art of Wandering,” creative exercises in nature, and symbolic work. Participants learned how to apply these methods in their own communities and support young people dealing with emotional distress, especially related to climate issues.
Key Activities
During the training, participants explored concepts of eco-depth psychology, experiential pedagogy, and emotional self-regulation. They practiced techniques for helping youth discover their strengths and find their place in society. The training included interactive workshops, peer exchanges, and collaborative planning. Organisations also presented their tools and best practices. The final part focused on sustainability and climate justice, giving youth workers ideas and resources to engage young people in meaningful environmental action.
Results
A major result of the project was the creation of an online manual that collects all the methods, theories, and tools explored during the training. The manual offers clear guidance for youth workers on how to apply nature-based practices in mental health support. An interactive presentation on youth work and climate crisis was also developed for future use in schools and NGOs. Participants gained new skills in eco-psychology, holistic youth work, and intercultural cooperation.
Impact
The project built a new community of trained youth workers who are ready to use and promote holistic approaches in their local contexts. It also laid the foundation for future collaboration among organisations across Europe. The results will be shared nationally and internationally, supporting further innovation in youth work. The project promoted sustainable values, emotional awareness, and youth participation. Concrete “seed projects” will now be implemented by the participants in their home countries.
