Ecopedagogy in Youth Work: Pedagogy for the Earth

Aims & objectives

The objectives of the project:
-Provide the participants an enriching possibility to get acquainted with Ecopedagogy, its roots and main principles (Social,
Ecological and Climate Justice; Critical Education; Post-Issue Activism; Planetary Citizenship; Art Education) and it’s value
in education for sustainability;
-Provide/refresh participants’ knowledge and awareness on contemporary ecological issues we are facing and their
interconnectedness;
-Provide a space for reflective practices upon different perspectives on ecological transition and own thoughts/internalised
narratives, as well as rethink and re-imagine the role of a learner and educator;
-Improve the capacity of the participants to work with the youth, amongst themselves as well as with their partners by
offering them a novel, well-balanced theory-practice approach, concrete tools and creative methods, embraced by
ecopedagogists;
-Catalyze long-term partnerships, for future collaboration, support and exchange of good practices.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

This training course brought together 24 educators from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czechia, Italy and Portugal.

Training methods used & main activities

The methods used in this mobility were: interactive open-air installation, Spoken Word Circle, Climate Fresk, group-based simulation, place-based investigation, Dragon Dreaming methodology, outdoor activities, Theater of Oppressed, eco-therapy and others.

Outcomes of the activity

This experience helped participants move beyond a purely knowledge-based approach to environmental education. It encouraged them to explore how critical pedagogy can be applied to sustainability, question dominant narratives, and approach ecological challenges through the perspectives of social and ecological justice.
Some testimonies:
https://youtu.be/jo8Y495MxnI?si=cbFRgg49-O_fmAJc

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/yuliana-shuhani_darniosjungtys-erasmusplus-ugcPost-7379849305764835328-kJZc/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABV_UsgBW_z94EUVsbt3d6-568WivyzR04Q

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was a full-time facilitator in a team of 2. Besides that, I developed the project itself and co-coordinated the international partnerships relevant to it.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.