Online Workshop: "Tending the Sacred, Tending the Earth"

Aims of the tool

- Raise ecological awareness by encouraging a deeper relationship between people and the natural world.
Promote personal growth and maturity through nature-based approaches inspired by Ecocentric Development.
- Equip youth workers, educators, trainers, mentors, and community leaders with practical non-formal education methods that they can use in their work with young people.
- Encourage participants to integrate sustainability, environmental responsibility, and nature connection into youth work and educational activities.
- Inspire young people, through the professionals attending the webinar, to develop a stronger sense of belonging, care, and responsibility towards the Earth.

Description of the tool

This is the recording of the online workshop "Tending the Sacred, Tending the Earth". The online workshop was organised as part of the dissemination activities of the Erasmus+ project "Tending the Sacred" to introduce participants to the concept of Ecocentric Development and its application in youth work.

The webinar explored how strengthening the relationship between young people and the natural world can promote both ecological awareness and personal growth.

During the session, participants could be introduced to the principles of Ecocentric Development, an interdisciplinary approach inspired by the work of eco-psychologist Dr. Bill Plotkin. The workshop highlights the importance of reconnecting with nature, developing a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the Earth, and empowering young people to become active contributors to more sustainable communities.

The webinar was designed for youth workers, educators, trainers, mentors, community leaders, and anyone interested in sustainability and personal development. Alongside the theoretical background, participants were presented with practical non-formal education methods and tools that they could integrate into their own work with young people to foster environmental responsibility, nature connection, and active citizenship.

The workshop was delivered online through Zoom, and it is now available on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV4FDfVoB-M