The program aimed to educate 70 individuals in 8 small towns and cities in Lithuania and Turkey, equipping them with skills to promote environmentally friendly practices in their communities. It developed eight non-formal learning opportunities using outdoor experiential learning, focusing on vulnerable groups and their specific needs. The program introduced adults to their local natural environment, fostering responsibility for environmental protection, while encouraging healthy social interactions across all ages. It also aimed to improve partner organizations' ability to integrate Outdoor Experiential Education (OEE) and collaborate on future projects. Additionally, the program developed guidelines to highlight the benefits of adult education through outdoor learning and its potential to address declining adult participation in training, as well as support outreach strategies to engage more adults in education and sustainability efforts.

Project Activities

Activities in Lithuania

The program for OEE

2023-10-11 Lithuania, Kaunas.

The project's first output, the training program, served as the foundation for courses aimed at adult learners. Partners met both in person and virtually to develop the program and its workshops. Working sessions focused on identifying workshop locations, learner needs, objectives, learning goals, and assessment methods. They also matched learners' needs with appropriate non-formal education approaches within OEE, such as nature-based training, interpersonal skill development, and educational excursions to public gardens.

First Project Presentation in Lithuania

2023-12-11 Lithuania, Kaunas.

In December, we conducted a presentation of the OPERATION project to a group of young adults in Lithuania. The primary objective of this presentation was to introduce the project, its goals, and the planned activities for the upcoming summer. The aim was not only to raise awareness but also to generate interest and enthusiasm among the target audience. It was heartening to observe the positive reception from the young adults, evident in their keen interest and expressed eagerness to participate in the project activities.

Educations

2022-05-06 - 2024 11 05 Lithuania, Kaunas.

The curriculum was carried out in four workshops across different cities or suburbs, each lasting 4 days. Participants, divided into groups of 10, engaged in pre-planned activities, with workshops conducted in the local language. Four experienced trainers from Darnoje's team led the sessions. Various strategies, such as educational excursions, hands-on environmental work, nature walks, and skill development in natural settings, were used based on the adult learners’ needs. Activities took place in nearby parks, community gardens, or forests. Participants returned home each evening. Trainers chose methods based on the group’s inclusion and diversity needs. To assess the program's impact, participants completed surveys on interpersonal skills and environmental awareness before and after the workshop, with facilitators providing assistance as needed.

2024-04-03 Lithuania, Kaunas.

We presented the Erasmus+ "Outdoor Experiential Education and Sustainable Growth" project to Lithuanian youth. The event started with a greeting, followed by a brief introduction to the Erasmus+ program and the project's goals, focusing on environmental protection and sustainability in small towns and suburbs in Lithuania and Turkey. We also highlighted the project's intellectual outputs and encouraged participants to visit the website for more information: https://opearationproject.eu. The project is partially funded by the EU.

Second Project Presentation in Lithuania

Activities in Turkey

Educations

2024-05-20 Türkiye

The curriculum was delivered through four workshops in different cities or suburbs, each lasting 4 days. Participants, split into groups of 10, engaged in pre-planned activities led by four experienced trainers from UMEKS. Based on the learners' needs identified during the planning phase, various strategies were used, such as educational excursions, environmental volunteer work, nature walks, skill development in natural settings, and group activities. All events took place in local parks, community gardens, or nearby forests. After each day, participants returned home. Trainers tailored methods to the group's inclusion and diversity needs. To assess the program's impact, participants completed surveys on interpersonal skills and environmental awareness before and after the workshops, with facilitators assisting those who needed help.

2022-05-06

In January, we held the second OPERATION project presentation for adults in Turkey to introduce the project’s goals and summer activities, generating interest and gathering initial feedback. These meetings provided valuable insights into participants’ perspectives and preferences, helping us tailor the project to better meet their needs. By involving young adults in the planning, we identified activities that would engage them, fostering ownership and commitment. Overall, the meetings fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration, laying a strong foundation for successful project implementation.

Second Project Presentation in Türkiye

2022-05-06 Türkiye

In December, we organized a presentation of the OPERATION project to a group of adults in Turkey. The primary purpose of this presentation was to introduce the project, its objectives, and the planned activities for the upcoming summer. The goal was to raise awareness and generate interest among the target audience. It was encouraging to witness the positive response from the young adults, evident in their enthusiastic interest and expressed willingness to participate in the project activities.