Next-Generation Accessibility Towards Unified Resources, Environment and Lifestyle for Youth
/NATURAL/
Nature and the efforts to protect it should be open to every young person. NATURAL brings 10 organisations from seven EU countries together to make it happen.
Too many young people never get the chance to spend time in nature. Distance, cost, disability, a lack of information, or simply never being invited — these keep young people with fewer opportunities away from the outdoors and out of environmental work.
NATURAL sets out to change that. Over 33 months, we will build a Europe-wide model for inclusive outdoor activities and environmental protection. We will research what already exists, set clear standards, test them in real communities, and turn what we learn into policy.
Until 2029 we aim to reach 6,400 people across seven countries — 3,200 young people with fewer opportunities, and 3,200 youth workers, staff, and experts who work with them.
NATURAL grows out of our earlier project, Youth Going Back to Nature (YGBN). Find more about it here.
NATURAL Project at a glance
Standards and certification
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Research Report — the current state of inclusion and accessibility in outdoor activities and environmental protection in each partner country, with best practices, stakeholder findings, and the gaps that need closing.
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NATURAL Methodology — practical standards for public bodies, municipalities, parks, NGOs, and private organisations.
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EU-wide Certification Model — organisations that follow the Methodology can be certified, and how experts and certifying organisations are recognised.
Connections and policy
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NATURAL Project Council — 10 experts guiding the application of the Methodology during and after the project.
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Pilot actions in all seven countries — local trainings and activities with 26 community leaders and 281 young people with fewer opportunities, in rural and urban communities, each written up as a case study.
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Youth Learning Exchange — five days in Brussels for 21 young people and youth stakeholders, including consultations with EU officials.
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Policy Recommendation — for inclusive, accessible nature for young people, shaped directly by them.
Digital
resources
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42 NATURAL video stories — told by the people participating in the pilot actions.
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Three NATURAL webinars — on Resources, Environment, and Lifestyle, for 150 participants.
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Online conference — open to everyone, for at least 300 participants.
NATURAL
closer to people
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BACK TO NATURE Festival week — the second edition, held in all seven countries, for 600 members of the youth community.
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10 interactive dissemination events — for 300 young people and members of the public.
NATURAL Project officially kicked off on 2nd of September 2026 with meeting of all partners.
Research Report - Building scientific data
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National Research
We will try to answer the question: In Bulgaria, what is the current state of inclusivity and accessibility of YPFO and practices in the fields of outdoor activities and environmental protection?
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Finding the Gaps
Analyzing legislations, policy, and practice will lead us to the gaps we are facing in outdoor activities and environmental protection for YPFO.
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Consultations
Stakeholders - young people and professionals, are those who understand what is working and not in supporting YPFO.
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Research Report of 7 EU countries
Eventually, all data from Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Croatia will form a joint Research Report.
Join the Research
Call for young people to make an impact
If you are a young person, tell us about your experience with outdoor activities and environmental protection. You will become part of hundreds of young Europeans who strive for accessibility and inclusivity.
Fill in the survey below or scan the QR code.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project: NATURAL Nr. 2026-1-BG01-KA220-YOU-000455682.
All of the participants in the project and their personal data are protected under the respective rules.