Objectives reached

1. Expanded our skillset and expertise, gaining insights into using Nordic Walks, Coastal Walks, and Audax Endurance Walks to promote inclusivity, diversity, and environmental stewardship;

2. Develop fresh strategies for engaging marginalized youth and fostering intercultural dialogue through outdoor sports, thereby empowering our communities;

3. Forged meaningful connections and established partnerships with like-minded organizations, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and projects by the project's end.

Our journey was not just about professional development; it was deeply personal. We embarked on this adventure to grow as individuals, to broaden our horizons, and to make a tangible difference in our communities. By participating in Erasmus+ Mobility of Staff in the Field of Sport, we embraced the opportunity to enhance our skills, expand our networks, and contribute positively to the world of grassroots sports. 

Learning Outcomes

The project promoted active citizenship by fostering positive attitudes towards inclusiveness and diversity, as well as the protection of the environment. The 5 staff members developed their entrepreneurial skills by exploring new approaches, methods, and organizational cultures related to using outdoor grassroots sports as educational tools. This competence was fostered especially upon their return home when they used their spirit of initiative to adapt and integrate the three sports, Nordic Walks, Coastal Walks, and Audax Endurance Walks, into the regular activities of the organization.

Through the JS, the participants learned about different cultures, values, work ethics, and ways of doing things, allowing them to broaden their horizons and develop their cultural awareness and expression competence by interacting with such an isolated and remote environment as the one of our host organization ONTS.

Our JS was a blended mobility, with a large part of the thematic and logistic preparation, as well as a substantial part of the follow-up activities, designed to make full use of digital collaborative tools (Microsoft 365), and the 5 staff used digital tools to facilitate communication, collaboration, and sharing of information extensively.

The project involved three outdoor grassroots sports, which required the use of science, technology, engineering, and mathematical skills to plan and execute activities.

The project involved reading, writing, and communication skills in different languages (HU, EN, FR), as well as the ability to comprehend and analyze information related to using outdoor grassroots sports as educational tools.

Through the JS, the 5 participants had the opportunity to develop specific competencies related to using 3 grassroots sports as educational tools to promote inclusiveness and diversity, and the protection of the environment:

 Nordic Walks:

• Learned and applied proper techniques for Nordic walking, including the use of poles, body posture, and stride.

• Developed skills to plan and organize walking activities for different groups, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, and children.

• Developed skills to assess and manage risks associated with Nordic walking activities, including safety concerns and environmental impact.

Coastal Walks:

• Understood the unique characteristics of coastal environments and ecosystems, as well as the importance of preserving them.

• Developed skills to plan and organize coastal walks that are safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable.

• Built skills to monitor and evaluate the impact of coastal walks on the practitioners.

Audax Endurance Walks:

• Developed knowledge of endurance walking, including techniques for pacing, hydration, and nutrition.

• Built skills to plan and organize walks that are safe, challenging, and enjoyable for participants.

• Gained knowledge of the benefits of endurance walking for physical and mental health, as well as the importance of using it as a tool for environmental awareness and protection.

• Developed strategies to engage marginalized youth in endurance walking activities and promote intercultural dialogue through these activities.

Built skills to assess and manage risks associated with endurance walking activities, including safety concerns and environmental impact. 

Achievements

• Increased competences and skills: Through the job shadowing event, our 5 staff were able to learn new approaches, methods, and organizational cultures in using Nordic Walks, Coastal Walks, and Audax Endurance Walks as powerful educational tools to foster positive attitudes of practitioners with regards to inclusion and protection of the environment. This increased the competences of our staff with regards to using these sports as excellent contexts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusiveness and diversity and protection of the environment. Our staff were able to apply these competences and skills in their daily work, leading to improved service delivery to our beneficiaries.

• New strategies and approaches for engaging marginalized youth: The project enabled our staff to develop new know-how, strategies, and approaches for engaging marginalized youth and promoting intercultural and intergenerational dialogue (since the target group of our partner included people of all ages) via three new outdoor grassroots sports. This improved the quality of our programs and activities and made them more effective in addressing the needs of marginalized youth.

• New partnerships and network: The project also enabled us to establish new partnerships and networks with other organizations working in the field of sports and non-formal learning from different parts of the world. This provided opportunities for future common activities and projects, contributing to the sustainability of our organization.

• Improved organizational capacity: The learning mobility of our staff contributed to the capacity-building and development of our organization. Our staff were able to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired during the job shadowing event to other staff members, leading to the overall improvement of our organization's capacity.

 Promotion of common European values through sport: The Walk of Life project contributed to the promotion of common European values through sport such as sustainable development, inclusion, education, training, and skills in and through sport. This aligned with the objectives of the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024.

How to use the 3 sports as educational tools?

Here are some ways to use Nordic Walks, Coastal Walks, and Audax Endurance Walks as educational tools:

Nordic Walks:

• Teach proper techniques: Use Nordic Walks as an opportunity to teach participants proper techniques for walking with poles, including correct posture, arm swing, and stride length.

• Environmental education: Incorporate lessons about the environment into Nordic Walks by discussing local flora and fauna, conservation efforts, and the importance of preserving natural habitats.

• Health and wellness: Use Nordic Walks to promote physical fitness and wellness by discussing the cardiovascular benefits of walking, the importance of regular exercise, and strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

• Team building: Organize group Nordic Walks as a team-building activity, encouraging participants to support and motivate each other while working towards common goals.

Coastal Walks:

• Environmental science: Use Coastal Walks as an opportunity to teach participants about coastal ecosystems, including beach formation, tidal patterns, and marine life.

• Conservation awareness: Discuss the importance of coastal conservation and the impact of human activities on coastal environments, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.

• Geographical exploration: Explore the geographical features of coastal regions, including cliffs, coves, and estuaries, and discuss their formation and significance.

• Cultural heritage: Learn about the cultural heritage of coastal communities, including traditional fishing practices, maritime history, and coastal folklore.

Audax Endurance Walks:

• Physical fitness challenges: Use Audax Endurance Walks to challenge participants physically and mentally, encouraging them to push their limits and overcome obstacles.

• Goal setting and perseverance: Set distance or time goals for Audax Endurance Walks and encourage participants to set personal goals for themselves, fostering a sense of achievement and perseverance.

• Resilience building: Use Audax Endurance Walks as an opportunity to teach participants about resilience and coping strategies for dealing with challenges and setbacks.

• Environmental stewardship: Incorporate lessons about environmental stewardship into Audax Endurance Walks by discussing Leave No Trace principles, responsible outdoor recreation practices, and ways to minimize environmental impact while hiking.