The project aimed to foster inclusion and diversity in education by enabling children with developmental disabilities to access, enjoy, and benefit from outdoor environmental learning. A central objective was to create high-quality, inclusive educational materials—such as manuals and video —for special education teachers, environmental educators, and families. These resources support the integration of children with developmental disabilities into nature-based activities, encouraging their participation in environmental protection efforts. The project also managed to enhance the professional skills of educators through dedicated training, and to empower families with practical tools for everyday outdoor learning. By actively involving children with developmental disabilities in the design process, the project promoted autonomy and representation. Ultimately, the goal was to create a replicable, sustainable framework that connects inclusive education with climate action, encouraging all children to grow into active citizens and environmental stewards.
We applied for this project to address the lack of inclusive environmental education for children with developmental disabilities. In the Mediterranean region, environmental education often is often not available for our target, excluding children with SEN who require adapted approaches. Yet, studies show that nature-based activities support communication, cognitive, motor, emotional, and social development. Our goal was to create accessible educational resources, train environmental educators, learning and support educators (LSEs) and empower families to reconnect these children with nature. We identified key barriers through our combined expertise: lack of training for environmental educators, insufficient outdoor opportunities in special education, and limited support for families. By bridging environmental and special education, the project promotes social inclusion, emotional well-being, and environmental stewardship. This initiative meets a growing need for inclusive, nature-based learning and fosters a culture of belonging and sustainability.