The implementation of the EmWo-OCCC project was guided by the following four objectives: DEVELOP NATURE LITERACY: Strengthen young people’s understanding and appreciation of local ecosystems through direct, repeated, and embodied experiences with nature. DEVELOP YOUTH AGENCY: Empower participants with the confidence, skills, and leadership tools to act on environmental issues within their communities. EXCHANGE & DEVELOP NEW PRACTICES TRANSNATIONALLY: Collaborate within the international partnership to co-create and adapt inclusive, nature-based methods for local youth work. UPSCALE & BROADEN GREEN EDUCATION PRACTICES: Develop and describe well-tested cross-geographical best practice workshop formats and disseminate these methods to educators, NGOs, and youth groups across Europe. A key focus of the project was in the process to strengthen, upskill and build capacity for everyone involved in this cooperation partnership in order to be able to continue the work after the end of the project period.
Youth across Europe, often experience environmental issues as abstract and overwhelming. Many lack regular opportunities to engage with nature in meaningful ways, and formal education often focuses heavily on theory rather than embodied experiences and action. The project Embrace the World – Outdoor Communities in a time of Climate Crisis (EmWo-OCCC) was conceived to respond to two linked needs: (a) the widening disconnect between young people and the natural environment, and (b) the rising levels of climate-related distress and apathy amongst young people. Across Europe, 75% of people live in urban areas and many young people spend most of their time indoors and on screens; teachers and youth workers report that our young people are saturated with theory but lack hands-on experience with nature. EmWo-OCCC therefore set out to restore the link to nature for ‘nature-unfamiliar youth' aged 15–30, addressing well-being while strengthening environmental stewardship.