The EFDI project targeted people with intellectual and/or complex disabilities with the aim of empowering them to become active problem solvers for environmental challenges in their daily lives and beyond. The Sustainable Development Goals (UN 2015) show the close interdependence of social and environmental issues. People with fewer opportunities, such as the EFDI target group, are more at risk of being socially affected by environmental problems in Europe. EFDI aimed to enable this target group to assume eco-social responsibility. The EFDI project has developed materials and methods that meet the learning needs of people with complex disabilities and people with learning difficulties. Through practical activities, basic skills are taught to understand the interactions between society, politics, the economy and climate change and to deal with these issues in different ways. When developing the materials, particular attention was paid to non-formal learning methods that also contribute to inclusion: opportunities for people to become active, to be heard and seen and to participate in democratic life complement learning about ecological contexts.
The EFDI - Ecological Future Diverse and Inclusive project aimed to improve the ecological skills and knowledge of people with intellectual and/or complex disabilities through inclusive education and customised programmes for this target group, which is rarely considered in adult education and sustainability education. EFDI thus responded to the lack of opportunities to impart knowledge about processes and interrelationships that are fundamental to ecological education in a target group- and lifeworld-orientated way. Together with the target group, the EFDI consortium developed and tested customised materials and methods that meet the learning needs of people with complex disabilities and people with learning difficulties. Through the internal differentiation of all results (e.g. easy-to-read materials and multi-sensory activities), different learning needs are specifically addressed and met. The project also benefits many other people who rely on simple language. Within the meaning of Art. 24 of the CRPD, the results of the project are used to develop skills and competences that contribute to an ecologically conscious lifestyle and a growing awareness of climate change and the environment.