In Balance With Nature

In Balance with Nature is a long-term training course (LTTC) on an outdoor education approach for youth workers and educators.  It consists of two 7-day residential training courses  with a mentored practice​ phase in between:

• TC1 ​- In Balance with Nature (Generic), ​D​obczyce, Poland, 27​ April -05​ May 2026: builds a shared foundation in outdoor pedagogy​ and experiential learning, with a strong focus on soft-skills facilitation (teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making,​ leadership), inclusion in the outdoors, and sustainability competences (Leave No Trace, biodiversity, climate literacy, nature connection).

• Practice phase, June​-August 2026: each participant pilots at least one inclusive local outdoor activity and gathers​ evidence of learning and impact.

• TC2 ​- In Balance with Nature (in Youth Work), Volda, Norway, 17-25​ September 2026: focuses on transfer​ - designing safe,​ inclusive outdoor programmes in organisational settings; ​risk management and safety; and establishing balanced ways to incorporate outdoor programmes into regular youth work practice.

​Objectives: 

O1. to build the capacity among youth workers and educators to implement outdoor education activities 

O2. to learn how to use outdoor education approach as a powerful tool for soft skill development

O3. Advance inclusion in the outdoors: each participant co-designs at least one adaptation for young people ​(including those with fewer​ opportunities ​-mobility/health, socio-economic, migrant, rural) and applies it during the practice phase.

O4. Foster sustainability competences and appreciation for nature

O5. Ensure transfer to practice: each participant implements at least one local outdoor activity 

Background: youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, facilitators and educators who actively work at local/regional/national or international levels.

• -Should be 18 years old or over
• -Should be able to communicate in English
• -Should be willing to develop the​i​r competences in outdoor education
• -Should take part in the whole period of the training course
• -Should be ready to promote activities in own community after the training course ends
• -Should be available for BOTH training courses and willing to participate in the whole long-term process 

Selected participants are in charge of organising a local event (seminar, workshop etc) for their own community within a local phase of the course within the month and a half after the 1st training course comes to an end.

Selected participants are in charge of dissemination and visibility activities of the project.