As the “Youth Going Back to Nature – Engage, Connect, Empower” (YGBN) project reaches its conclusion, six partner organisations from across Europe celebrated its remarkable achievements through a series of interactive dissemination events. Taking place in Bulgaria, Italy, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, and Croatia, the events aimed to share the project’s tools, experiences, and results while inspiring participants to reconnect with nature and community life.
Bulgaria: Celebration of Inclusion and Learning
In Bulgaria, the Platform for Quality in Education Foundation (PQF) brought together youth workers and members of Maria’s World Foundation to celebrate the project’s journey and achievements. Participants shared personal stories from the Back to Nature Festival and received certificates for their active involvement.
The project was also presented at the Faculty of Pedagogy at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, where students and faculty members explored ways to integrate the YGBN toolkits into both their professional practice and personal growth. The discussions highlighted how outdoor and experiential learning can enrich future educators’ understanding of inclusion, sustainability, and well-being.
Italy: Trekkify’s Vineyard Gathering
In Italy, Trekkify hosted the final dissemination event at Rossi di Sera, welcoming 56 participants including rural youth, local community members, and partners such as Auser, which promotes intergenerational initiatives. Set among scenic vineyards, the event celebrated sustainability and outdoor learning. Participants played “Delitto in Cantina,” an outdoor game blending teamwork and problem-solving, while exploring the YGBN toolkits and resources via QR codes. The event fostered collaboration, environmental awareness, and new friendships — a true embodiment of the YGBN spirit.
Lithuania: Nature-Based Learning at the Seaside
The Lithuanian Sea Museum in Klaipeda organized a series of creative, nature-based activities connecting students, educators, and professionals. International students from the Rainbow Path Gymnasium experienced their first seaside adventure, while staff from the Dolphin Therapy Centre engaged in team-building and emotional resilience activities inspired by YGBN methods. A special wellness and breathing programme for museum employees emphasized the importance of mindfulness and connection to nature in daily life and work.
Estonia: Inclusive Encounters with Nature
In Estonia, Equilibre MTÜ hosted several events at Hobukooli Park, engaging participants of diverse ages and backgrounds. The “Eeslikohvik Day for Young Women” empowered young women through guided interactions with horses and donkeys, while another session offered nature-based sensory experiences for youth with disabilities. During Open Farm Days, over 330 visitors participated in hands-on workshops demonstrating the therapeutic power of animals and outdoor learning. Across all activities, nature became a space for self-confidence, inclusion, and emotional growth.
Croatia: Hiking and Learning on Medvednica Mountain
Croatian partner OAZA led a one-day hiking trip on Medvednica Mountain, bringing together 40 students, teachers, and volunteers from Poland and Croatia. The event combined environmental education with intercultural exchange, focusing on forest conservation and sustainable resource use. Participants visited the Medvedgrad Educational Center, where workshops connected cultural and natural heritage, emphasizing that caring for nature is part of preserving identity and tradition.
Belgium: Outdoor Education at IDEC@EUDEC
In Belgium, QUEST presented YGBN during the International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC@EUDEC), reaching around 200 participants — educators, youth workers, students, and nature practitioners. Held in the Meerdaalwoud forest, the sessions featured YGBN-inspired workshops such as Breathing Exercises, Tree Therapy, and In Nature: From Presence to Dual Awareness. Participants engaged in outdoor play, tent-building, and discussions on sustainable education, transforming the forest into a living classroom of connection, creativity, and mindfulness.
Across Europe, the YGBN dissemination events embodied the project’s mission: to engage youth, connect communities, and empower all through meaningful experiences with nature. The shared enthusiasm and creativity of all partners and participants proved that even as the project concludes, its message — to go back to nature and grow together — continues to thrive.
Youth Outdoor Portal 