Today we Mark the Successful Completion of the European Project “Youth Going Back to Nature – Engage, Connect, Empower”

Paint and Quarter Horse Foundation Bulgaria is proud to announce the successful completion of the Erasmus+ project “Youth Going Back to Nature – Engage, Connect, Empower (YGBN)”, an inspiring three-year journey that united partners from Bulgaria, Italy, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, and Croatia in their mission to reconnect young people with nature, community, and themselves.

Over the course of the project, hundreds of participants — including youth with fewer opportunities, educators, youth workers, and community leaders — took part in learning activities, outdoor exchanges, and creative initiatives that promoted environmental awareness, inclusion, and mental well-being.

🌿 About the Project

“Youth Going Back to Nature – Engage, Connect, Empower” aimed to help young people rediscover the benefits of outdoor learning, ecological awareness, and self-development through nature-based experiences. The project focused on empowering youth to take initiative, build resilience, and foster stronger social and environmental responsibility.

Throughout its duration, YGBN offered opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation — encouraging both participants and professionals to use nature as a space for growth, education, and empowerment.

🌍 The Main Outputs

One of the greatest achievements of the project was the creation of practical, accessible, and inclusive tools that can continue to serve educators, youth workers, and organizations beyond the project’s lifetime:

1. Youth Going Back to Nature Toolkits

   A comprehensive collection of outdoor activities designed to help youth workers and educators bring nature into their daily practice. The toolkits include guidance on facilitation, reflection methods, and inclusive approaches suitable for diverse groups — from young women and people with disabilities to youth at risk.

2. Documentary Series: Youth Going Back to Nature

   A set of short documentary videos capturing the spirit of the project — its people, learning moments, and outdoor adventures. The series highlights stories of how the toolkits were built and shows the activities included in the toolkits.

3. Youth Outdoor Portal – www.outdoorportal.eu 

   An interactive online platform that serves as a hub for all YGBN and other resources — including the toolkits, documentaries, and stories from participants. The portal promotes open access learning and encourages youth organizations and individuals to apply the YGBN methods in their own local contexts.

4. International Online Conference – Youth Going Back to Nature

An international online conference dedicated to environmentally sustainable outdoor activities for young people who face different challenges took place on 20th of March 2025. The conference featured panels by experts in the field of outdoor activities from Italy, Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Croatia. More than 500 participants from Europe and beyond attended the conference. 

5. European Youth Outdoor Festival BACK TO NATURE

   The first European Youth Outdoor Festival, hosted in Bulgaria, brought together participants from across Europe to celebrate outdoor education, cultural exchange, and sustainability. Through workshops, games, and creative sessions, the festival became a symbol of the YGBN message: Engage, Connect, Empower.

🌸 Dissemination and Local Impact

The project concluded with interactive dissemination events in all six partner countries, reaching hundreds of people. In Bulgaria, our organization organized events with Maria’s World Foundation and the Faculty of Pedagogy at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, celebrating the project’s achievements and exploring how the YGBN activities can enrich both professional education and personal well-being.

Across Europe, partners hosted nature-based events — from seaside hikes and forest workshops to festivals and conferences — bringing the project’s message to new audiences and building a strong network of organizations committed to outdoor learning and sustainability.

🌱 A Legacy of Connection and Empowerment

As the project comes to a close, our organization extends heartfelt gratitude to all partners, participants, volunteers, and supporters who made YGBN possible. Together, they have built a foundation for continued cooperation, shared learning, and youth empowerment through nature.

Though “Youth Going Back to Nature” officially ends, its impact continues — through the tools, resources, and human connections it created. The project has shown that nature is not only a place to visit but a way to learn, heal, and grow together.

For more information and access to the project’s resources, visit: 🌐 www.pqfbulgaria.org/youthgoingbacktonature

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: YGBN - Youth Going Back to Nature - Engage, Connect, Empower. Nr. 2022-2-BG01-KA220-YOU-000098776.