Youth Going Back to Nature - Engage, Connect, Empower
The project Youth Going Back to Nature - Engage, Connect, Empower /YGBN/ aims to pave the way of the young people with fewer opportunities to return to nature through environmentally sustainable outdoor activities. Together with our partners we will Connect, Engage, and Empower the youth community.
The project was created by Paint and Quarter Horse Foundation Bulgaria and is executed in partnership with LIETUVOS JURU MUZIEJUS - LSM /Lithuania/, AssociazioneSportiva Dilettantistica Trekkify - Trekkify /Italy/, Equilibre MTÜ /Estonia/, ODRŽIVA ALTERNATIVA ZAJEDNICI - OAZA /Croatia/, and Quality Education in Europe for Sustainable Social Transformation - QUEST /Belgium/.
As part of the project in 2023 and 2024 3 learning exchange events for the partners were organized. Together we authored documentaries and toolkits to help us and others engage the disadvantaged youth in outdoor activities. This and other resources are available on the Youth Outdoor Portal.
In 2025 the youth community was invited to the first International Online Youth Outdoor Conference and the first in Europe Youth Outdoor Festival in Bulgaria. In all 6 countries partnes are organizing interactive dissemination events to reach broader audience on a local level.
The YGBN project is possible thanks to the support of the Erasmus+ Program and the European Commission.
In May 2023 we had our project kick off meeting that marked the begining of the YGBN venture. It was a pleasure to discuss with all partners all project activities in details, answer administrative questions and set dates for events and meetings that are coming up. Everyone was excited to start working and brainstorm ideas.
LEARNING EXCHANGE EVENTS
Our organization hosted an inspiring Learning Exchange Event in September 2023. 13 participants from all 6 project partners worked on field to develop innovative environmentally sustainable outdoor activities. Our team and our colleagues from LSM, QUEST, Equilibre, OAZA, and Trekkify went to the mountains just outside of Sofia, Bulgaria at the horse ranch, home of PQHFB. The main beneficiaries we designed the activities for are young women.
Another Learning Exchange Event was organized in April 2024 by Trekkify in the beautiful Foligno, Italy. 13 participants from all 6 project partners worked on field to develop innovative environmentally sustainable outdoor activities for young people at risk.
The final 3rd Learning Exchange Event for the project took place in July 2024. The Lithuanian Sea Museum hosted the event in Klaipeda. Lithuania. 12 participants from all 6 project partners worked on field to develop innovative environmentally sustainable outdoor activities for young people with disabilities.
EUROPEAN YOUTH OUTDOOR NETWORK
We are proud to announce that in September 2023 the European Youth Outdoor Network was officially found in Sofia,Bulgaria. The founding members of the EYON are Paint and Quarter Horse Foundation /Bulgaria/, the Lithuanian Sea Museum /Lithuania/, AssociazioneSportiva Dilettantistica Trekkify - /Italy/, Equilibre MTÜ /Estonia/, ODRŽIVA ALTERNATIVA ZAJEDNICI - OAZA /Croatia/, and Quality Education in Europe for Sustainable Social Transformation - QUEST /Belgium/.
The main goal of the EYON is to connect different entities dedicated to youth and outdoor activities. The network will facilitate exchanging knowledge, practical tools and materials; connecting professionals and the youth community; creating partnerships to advocate to environmentally sustainable activities.
YOUTH OUTDOOR PORTAL
The Youth Outdoor Portal - https://outdoorportal.eu/ is now live!
The Portal (https://outdoorportal.eu/) is an interactive platform developed under the "Youth Going Back to Nature – Engage, Connect, Empower" (YGBN) project. It aims to engage, connect, and empower young people, particularly those facing barriers, by providing resources and information on environmentally sustainable outdoor activities. The portal offers various sections, including "Mountain," "Sea," "Gardens," "Urban," and "Animals," each containing resources and activities designed to foster a deeper connection between youth and nature.
In addition to activity resources, the portal features toolkits and documentaries developed by professionals . These materials are tailored to support specific groups, such as young women, youth at risk, and young people with disabilities, in engaging with nature-based activities. The toolkits provide structured approaches to outdoor activities, while the documentaries showcase the development and implementation of these activities.
The portal serves as a hub for the European Youth Outdoor Network, aiming to foster connections among various organizations focused on youth and outdoor activities. It also provides information on upcoming events and opportunities for users to share their experiences, promoting a collaborative and inclusive community dedicated to reconnecting youth with nature.
TOOKITS AND DOCUMENTARIES ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The development of a set of environmentally sustainable outdoor activities was the subject of 3 learning exchange events. During the events professionals worked on innovations in the field of outdoor activities for different groups of young people:
Young Women
The activities dedicated to young women was captured in the 1st YGBN Documentary. The goal was to create tools to help young women gain confidence in their strength and abilities, help them cope with difficult situations and challenges. Watch the full documentary below.
As a result of the good practices shared the partners created the The Toolkit ‘’Young Women Going Back to Nature’’ . The Toolkit is intended to offer a thoughtful and impactful approach in working with young women within the realm of nature and outdoor activities involving a well-structured progression.
Young People at Risk
The activities dedicated to young people at risk was captured in the 2nd YGBN Documentary. The goal was to create innovative approaches to engage young people at risk in the community, help them build up their network, connect with the environment. Watch the full documentary below.
As a result of the good practices shared the partners created the The Toolkit ‘’Young People at Risk Going Back to Nature’’ . The Toolkit focuses on empowering young people facing socio-economic and educational challenges through environmentally sustainable outdoor activities. It provides practical exercises designed to promote physical health, mental well-being, and social cohesion by engaging youth with nature. This initiative aims to foster inclusion and resilience while addressing barriers to accessing green spaces and encouraging community engagement.
Young People with Disabilities
The activities dedicated to young people with disabilities was captured in the 3rd YGBN Documentary. The efforts were directed towards involving that particular group in outdoor activities in an inclusive way, aiming to improve their mental and physical health. Watch the full documentary below.
As a result of the good practices shared the partners created the The Toolkit ‘’Young People with Disabilities Going Back to Nature’’ . The Toolkit offers a variety of activities such as animal recognition games, nature scavenger hunts, and horse-assisted therapy to enhance sensory, cognitive, and motor skills. By promoting accessibility and holistic engagement, the initiative seeks to empower youth with disabilities and address their unique challenges in a supportive environment.
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE CONFERENCE -ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
The partners to the Youth Going Back to Nature - Engage, Connect, Empower project organized an international online conference dedicated to environmentally sustainable outdoor activities for young people who face different challenges. Hosted by the Lithuanian Sea Museum the event 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.
The topics discussed during the conference were:
1. Natural resources of the 21st century: outdoor activities for young people with disabilities - Mile Draka MSc., OAZA (Croatia) and Prof. Dr. Brigitta Kreiviniene, Dolphin Assisted Therapy Center/Lithuanian Maritime Museum (Lithuania)
2. How much do you know about outdoor activities? - Elena Volterani, Trekify (Italy) and Sarah Bentas, QUEST (Belgium)
3. From self-discovery to horse-assisted learning - a journey to confidence for young women - Mina Raduncheva, Paint and Quarter Horse Foundation (Bulgaria) and Helle Aluste, Equilibre (Estonia)
Watch the full conference below:
FIRST EUROPEAN YOUTH FESTIVAL
BACK TO NATURE
Bulgaria — June 24–27, 2025, the serene landscapes of Bulgaria became the meeting ground for over a hundred young people and youth workers from 6 European countries during the BACK TO NATURE – European Youth Outdoor Festival, a four-day celebration of inclusion, access to nature, and environmental awareness.
🏞️ Day 1 Pancharevo Lake: Rediscovering ourselves and nature for young women
The festival opened at Pancharevo Lake, where participants arrived from Sofia by shuttle and were greeted with festival gifts, energy, and lakeside views. The morning began with “Creating Safety and Curiosity”, an ice-breaking session led by Trekkify (Italy) that used creative games to build trust and open communication among participants. Later, QUEST (Belgium) facilitated “Understanding Access to Green Areas” — a lively group activity exploring how geography, ability, and privilege shape young people’s access to nature. After lunch, OAZA (Croatia) invited participants to express their expectations and experiences through Metaphor Cards, while Equilibre (Estonia) closed the day with “Building Awareness of Personal Space and Boundaries in Nature”, encouraging mindfulness and respect for others’ presence in shared natural spaces. To finish the day and learn how to get in touch with our body QUEST (Belgium) introduced everyone to exercises to ‘’Soothe the Nervous System’’.
🌳 Day 2 Chavdar Village & St. Petka: Meeting with trees and climbing for young people from rural areas
The second day moved to Chavdar Village, famous for the beautiful views and rich history. To build trust and challenge themselves participants began with climbing of the climbing wall high above Chavdar. With helmets, ropes, and laughter, the group learned to support each other — literally and figuratively — as they climbed together. Then, everyone joined a ‘’Treasure Hunt to Discover Nature Surroundings’’ organized by Trekkify (Italy). It was a chance to explore the surrounding nature and dive into it. Participants relived thousands of years of the village history and all that is hidden below the ground by exploring Topolnitza archeological park. The afternoon was dedicated to immersive sensory activities that invited the group to slow down, observe, and form a deeper bond with nature – ‘’Nature Mosaic’’ by the Lithuanian Sea Museum (Lithuania) and ‘’Tree Therapy’’ by OAZA (Croatia). Collecting objects found in nature to form one mosaic reminded all of us of the inspiration we could receive from nature and how can we easily harm it. Looking up and appreciating the great energy and power of the trees built a close and meaningful relationship with the ecosystem, reminding all of us that it is breathing and helps us breath.
🐴 Day 3 ‘’Aramliets’’ Nature Park: Nature for all and bonding with horses for young people with special needs
Day three focused on accessibility and inclusion. The group with participants with fewer opportunities travelled to Aramliets Nature Park. On a wide-open meadow, they enjoyed variety of activities to bring them closer to animals and themselves. ‘’Animal Tombola Discovering’’ by Trekiffy (Italy) helped participants learn about the characteristics and symbolism of different animals, encouraging self-reflection and empathy through playful discovery. ‘’The Wheel of Life Exercise’’ by Equilibre (Estonia) guided participants to assess balance in key areas of their lives, promoting self-awareness and mindfulness about personal well-being. ‘’Creating a Mandala’’ by Equilibre (Estonia) facilitated hands-on collaboration through building real construction, feeling the power of team work and support for one another. The hosts of PQHFB (Bulgaria) brought their loving therapy horses for ‘’Equine-assisted Activities’’. Participants interacted with horses through grooming, leading, and observation exercises designed to promote empathy, calmness, and mutual trust. For many, it was a deeply emotional experience — a living demonstration of how animals can foster social inclusion and emotional resilience.
⛰️ Day 4 Vitosha Mountain: The view from above – a hike for young people
The final day took the group to Vitosha Nature Park, where they embarked on a climbing to Kamen del peak that overlooks the city of Sofia. We began with preparation for the hike with ‘’Breathing Exercises’’ guided by the Lithuanian Sea Museum (Lithuania) staff. Focusing on your breath is a powerful activity to do both for a specific task, for relaxation, or in critical moments, especially when working with disadvantaged groups. Also led by the Lithuanian Sea Museum (Lithuania) the participants played a game for ‘’Opening up for Self Awareness - Sensory Stimulation’’. Trusting someone to guide you through the rocky mountain is an experience that bring you on travel inspiring variety of emotions to reach empathy, equip the participants with valuable tools for personal growth and a deeper appreciation of the environment. On the path to reach the peak, surrounded by mountain views, participants reflected on what they had learned — about themselves, nature, and one another.
DISSEMINATION EVENTS -
INTERACTIVE SPREADING OF THE PROJECT IN 6 COUNTRIES
Spreading the project means reaching many members of the youth community and sharing our tools to go BACK TO NATURE. Through interactive dissemination events in all 6 partnering countries - Bulgaria, Italy, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, and Croatia partners were able to communicate the most important experiences during the project and the outputs developed.
In Bulgaria youth workers and people with special needs from Maria's World Foundation met to celebrate the project, hear stories about the BACK TO NATURE Festival from participants and award those participants certificates for their participation in the Festival.
Trekkify hosted the final event of the project at Rossi di Sera in Italy, bringing together 56 participants, including youth from rural areas, Trekkify members, and local stakeholders such as Auser, which supports intergenerational community initiatives. Set among scenic vineyards, the event celebrated sustainability, outdoor learning, and connection with nature. Participants engaged in interactive activities, including the outdoor game “Delitto in Cantina”, which combined exploration, teamwork, and problem-solving. The team presented the project’s toolkits, documentaries, and European partner events, supported by visual materials and QR codes for open access to resources. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting increased environmental awareness, collaboration skills, and new personal and professional connections.
The Lithuanian Sea Museum organized a series of nature-based activities in Klaipeda, Lithuania that reached a wide and diverse group of participants. The creative seaside hike gathered international students from the Rainbow Path Gymnasium representing Ukraine, Australia, Germany, and Lithuania, along with educators and museum staff, offering many of them their first direct encounter with the sea. The team-building session brought together professionals from the Dolphin Therapy Centre, encouraging staff to strengthen teamwork, creativity, and emotional resilience through shared outdoor experiences linked to their therapeutic work. The wellness and breathing programme engaged museum employees from different departments, focusing on personal well-being, relaxation, and mental restoration to improve focus and harmony in their daily routines. Each activity reached participants of different ages, backgrounds, and professional roles, fostering inclusion and shared learning through the universal connection to nature.
Equilibre MTÜ in Estonia organized several inclusive local events at Hobukooli Park, each reaching diverse groups of participants and incorporating the YGBN outputs. The “Eeslikohvik” Day for Young Women gathered ten women aged 17–28, offering a safe and empowering space to build self-confidence, self-expression, and healthy boundaries through guided interaction with horses and donkeys. Another event welcomed twelve young people with mental and physical disabilities, together with parents and supervisors, providing gentle nature-based and sensory activities that encouraged emotional regulation, social connection, and calmness. During Open Farm Days, Hobukooli Park opened its gates to 338 visitors, with around 40 people joining hands-on workshops that demonstrated the benefits of animal-assisted learning for emotional balance and self-awareness. Across all activities, participants — from young women and youth with disabilities to families and the general public — engaged with nature and animals in ways that fostered confidence, inclusion, and inner strength.
OAZA organized a one-day hiking trip on Medvednica Mountain, Croatia that brought together 40 students, teachers, and volunteers from Poland and Croatia for a day of learning, cooperation, and connection with nature applying the axctivities developed during the YGBN project. The event encouraged participants to explore the rich biodiversity of the Medvednica Nature Park while discussing forest conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Students practiced teamwork and responsible behavior in nature, deepening their environmental awareness through hands-on experience. The group also visited the Medvedgrad Educational Center, where an interactive workshop linked the region’s cultural and natural heritage, reinforcing the idea that environmental care is part of a broader cultural responsibility. The event successfully promoted intercultural friendships, empowered educators to use outdoor learning, and inspired young people to become active stewards of their environment.
QUEST hosted multiple sessions during the International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC@EUDEC) in Belgium, gathering around 200 participants, including educators, youth workers, students, and outdoor practitioners from across Europe and beyond. Held in the Meerdaalwoud forest, the event provided participants—especially young people—with hands-on opportunities to explore nature, engage in unstructured outdoor play, and experience the benefits of learning in natural environments. QUEST showcased the Youth Going Back to Nature Toolkits at its stand, sharing resources, distributing festival materials, and presenting the project’s outcomes during workshops and discussions on sustainable outdoor education. Participants took part in YGBN-inspired activities such as Breathing Exercises, Tree Therapy, and In Nature: From Presence to Dual Awareness, which promoted relaxation, balance, and deeper connection with the environment. Additionally, tent-building sessions and free play in nature encouraged teamwork, creativity, and sustainability awareness, making the conference a living example of experiential, inclusive, and nature-based learning.
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.