Study of metropolitan Park Resources, Innovation for Nature and Green spaces (SPRING)

Dates: May 7–15, 2026
Organizers: Concordia Picardie-NPdC & La Lune des Pirates
Location: Parc Saint-Pierre, Amiens, France & Festival Minuit avant la Nuit

• About the Project

SPRING is a 9-day youth training course designed to explore the intersection of biodiversity, water access, festival culture, and non-formal education (NFE). Participants will actively observe and monitor urban ecosystems, create educational supports, and experiment with sustainable water solutions for festival contexts.

The project uses hands-on ecological action, creative workshops, and collective learning to empower youth workers, educators, and active volunteers to design engaging activities for young people. Participants will discover how environmental knowledge, theater, storytelling, and teamwork can combine to foster civic engagement, intercultural learning, and community building.

• Why this Training?

In today’s world, nature and water resources are priorities. Learning to protect urban biodiversity—from trees and ponds to wetlands—and understanding sustainable water solutions equips young people with the skills and knowledge to address global ecological challenges.

At the same time, participating in practical projects such as festival setup and temporary water fountain creation strengthens volunteerism, civic participation, and community cohesion. By combining ecological action with creative and European perspectives, SPRING helps youth workers guide young people toward becoming active, informed, and eco-conscious citizens.

• Objectives

The training course aims to:

• Strengthen ecological knowledge: urban biodiversity, water ecosystems, and sustainable resource management.
• Teach observation and monitoring techniques: species identification, pond and wetland monitoring, counting, and data collection.
• Create educational tools: guides, posters, and digital supports for youth activities.
• Introduce festival backstage work: temporary water fountain design, infrastructure, and sustainability practices.
• Encourage intercultural learning and teamwork: sharing practices, problem-solving, and collective creation.
• Foster youth engagement and volunteerism: translating ecological action into meaningful youth activities.
• Preparatory Work

Participants are invited to reflect on their experience and share insights before the training:

• How does your organization involve young people in ecological or water-related projects?
• Which practical eco-activities (tree planting, pond creation, recycling, etc.) have you implemented?
• What challenges have you faced in environmental or festival projects?
• How do you motivate and maintain young volunteers’ interest over time?
• What strategies do you use to raise awareness about nature, biodiversity, and water among young people?
• Bring ideas, examples, and challenges—these will be seeds for collective learning during the training.
• Methodology

SPRING relies on non-formal education methods, with a focus on hands-on learning, creative expression, and peer exchange. Participants will:

• Experience ecological fieldwork and monitoring.
• Co-create educational and practical tools.
• Learn by doing in festival and water-related workshops.
• Use theater, storytelling, role play, and group exercises for reflection and engagement.
• Share and reflect on best practices with international peers.
• The methodology ensures participants are active contributors, learning collectively while building practical skills for their organizations.
• Participant Profile

We are looking for participants who are:

• Excited to work outdoors (tree planting, pond creation, pruning, weaving).
• Youth workers, educators, or active volunteers eager to involve young people in ecology.
• Passionate about nature, water, and environment-based activities.
• Open to teamwork and non-formal learning.
• Motivated to bring new ideas back to their organization.
• 18+ years old.
• Able to communicate in English (basic level sufficient).

More info on the infosheet