WHY “The Way of Nature”

With “THE WAY OF NATURE” partner organizations aim at enhancing the quality of youth work, empowering youth, and innovating youth workers training and development. With a strong track record in coordinating and participating in various projects at both national and European levels, the members of this consortium’s expertise lies in Ecocentric psychology, social inclusion, non-formal education, nature-based practices, and holistic learning and development.

 

The MOTIVATION FOR THIS PROJECT stems from the partners commitment to addressing the additional developmental needs of young people beyond those covered by the educational system. Recognizing the inadequacy of current societal attention to these needs, the “Learning for Change” foundation conducted a comprehensive study in 2019 across five European countries, identifying eight under-addressed developmental needs. These needs, ranging from well-being and belonging to authenticity and purpose, form the projects core focus.

 

The PRIMARY GOAL OF THE PROJECT is to increase the capacity of youth workers to support the mental health and sustainable well-being of young people. By leveraging a complementary approach, that combines nature-based methods, cognitive and somatic practices, and developmental psychology, the project aims to decrease the risk of behavioral, psychological, and health deviations among youth.

 

The partners’ commitment to enhance the qualifications of youth workers aligns with the broader benefit of improving competencies related to youth employability, mental health, empowerment, and civic engagement. The innovative knowledge and skills offered to youth workers originate from the fields of psychology and alternative pedagogical models.

 

The project will deepen the partners’ efforts to ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF YOUTH WORK by expanding training opportunities for youth workers and offering innovative methods at both national and European levels. The long-term perspective is to support the professional development of youth workers, utilizing non-formal and experiential learning, and innovative concepts in youth work, such as Ecocentric psychology and Nature-based practices.

 

The partners for this project aim at creating a training program for youth workers focused on a comprehensive approach to support the individual development of young people, specifically addressing the identified needs. The approach combines nature-based methods, cognitive and somatic practices, and developmental psychology, ensuring adaptability to different target groups and social environments.

With this project, the partners aim to contribute to a more just future society characterized by respect for human rights, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion, and solidarity. Through increased competence and professionalism of youth workers, we seek to elevate the quality of youth work offered to young people, fostering their holistic development and well-being.