With Resilience in Nature, we aimed to learn from different perspectives on youth, nature, and resilience, from young people, youth workers, experts, and scientific literature. We explored how young people wish to be guided, what they seek in nature, and how activities can connect to their daily lives. At the same time, we learned from youth workers what works in practice, what challenges they face, and what supports them in guiding young people outdoors. We also gathered insights from experts in resilience, youth development, and nature connection, which helped us to develop an integrated vision combining ecopsychology and ecopedagogy. From this process emerged the Ecosystem Model of Resilience and a clear step-by-step approach that helps youth workers guide young people in and with nature. As European partners, we learned from each other’s cultural and professional perspectives, leading to new ways of learning and collaboration. Together, these insights formed the foundation of the Resilience in Nature Toolkit, a practical, experience-based guide that supports youth workers in facilitating meaningful learning processes in and with nature.
Across Europe, young people face increasing stress, performance pressure, loneliness, and a sense of disconnection from themselves, others, and nature. Youth work still offers little space to learn with nature, not as a backdrop, but as a partner in growth, recovery, and reflection. There was a need for practical, experience-based methods that show how to take the first steps in experiential learning in nature. Through Resilience in Nature, Flourish in Nature Foundation (Netherlands) and OBA Utopia Education & Art (Türkiye) developed an innovative and accessible toolkit that brings together insights from ecopsychology and ecopedagogy. The toolkit enables youth workers and volunteers - through outdoor activities and reflection - to learn in and with nature about personal and collective resilience. The project revealed that resilience is not a fixed individual trait but a dynamic process that grows through relationships with people, communities, and nature. Nature helps young people experience that they are part of something larger and fulfills their fundamental need for connection. The partnership laid a lasting foundation for future exchange on youth, resilience, and nature across Europe.