Pan Flute - Let’s Engage in Climate Action

<< Background >>As stated in the application, the involved organisations aimed to create a method to raise awareness about environmental issues, preservation, and eco-anxiety, enabling local action and promoting climate initiatives. We applied for this project because we believe real change comes from connecting youth to their environment and nature. Our goal was to provide tools for youth to build a personal connection with nature and their communities in a sustainable way, while addressing eco-anxiety.The organisations wanted to tackle these issues creatively, as traditional youth work methods needed radical updates, especially after the Covid pandemic. Using Erasmus+ support, we developed a joint curriculum with innovative methods for youth workers, addressing both climate awareness and mental health, including eco-anxiety.Additionally, our organisations needed to build capacity for international collaboration in Erasmus+. As newcomer organisations (Aiki En from Croatia and Human and Tree from Romania), this project marked our first step towards European-level cooperation.<< Objectives >>Our project had three objectives.By implementing this project we wanted, first of all, to create a methodology of eco-activism youth work. This is meant to contribute to the solution of the growing problem of the environment, climate change, and the spread of eco-anxiety among young people. To achieve this we decided to join forces and co create this project in which we build a handbook for youth workers on the topic of nature connection.A second objective was to test the methodology contained in the handbook with our target groups, in our local realities, so we can improve it if needed and make it impactful.And third but not less important was to raise the capacity of our organisations to work locally and regionally on eco-activism youth work and to build the strength and knowledge of our organisations to collaborate in international projects and in Erasmus+ and ESC programs.Moreover, these methods were also needed in our daily work with youngsters, and we achieved that aim also.<< Implementation >>In the project we implemented the following activities: 1.project management, 2.building the intellectual output, 3.testing methods on local/regional scale, 4.two transnational meetings and 5.local conferences for dissemination and multiplication of the results, that took place in each partner country. All activities implemented in this project were non-formal and informal: 1. activities of connecting with nature in non formal embodiment methodology (embodiment, centring, grounding, role play games, enacting situations, dance, visualization, conscious breathing, mindfulness, Shinrin Yoku, etc) - activities based on eco-psychology methods (nature wanders, buzz groups, active reviewing, individual and group reflection, journaling, storytelling, nature dialogue, active imagery, symbolic artwork, drumming and rhythm, etc) - activities that are focused on volunteering (Human library on volunteering, Hero’s journey model on evaluating and planning volunteering experiences, storytelling and role play games, etc)The decision-making process was carried out according to the principles of sociocracy, where we respected the opinion of each individual member and decisions were made in accordance.<< Results >>The project achieved key outputs: international cooperation in Erasmus+, increased organizational capacity locally and internationally, greater visibility in local communities, and enhanced knowledge sharing. We improved project management, organized workshops and events, and exchanged good practices between partner organizations.A major result was the youth worker manual Pan Flute – Give me a bio break, focused on nature connection. It was translated and printed in four languages (Eng 155, Cro 50, Ro 90, Lv 15; total: 310) and made available as an E-book. Between 01.09 and 02.12., the project webpage had 152 visits, and the E-book was downloaded 262 times (Cro 143, Eng 82, Ro 33, Lv 4), also shared on the Salto Youth portal. Additionally, 12 short reels on nature connection were shared on partner platforms.The Croatian organization secured a new partnership with a Zagreb high school and applied for a joint local project. The Romanian organization partnered with a high school and youth group, gaining municipal support and outdoor spaces for activities. The Latvian organization expanded eco-activism and nature connection in training courses, youth exchanges, and volunteering projects.