A growing trend among young people nowadays is to spend more time indoors than outdoors, resulting in a sedentary lifestyle. This group, dubbed the "E-Generation," grew up in a digital age, surrounded by computers, the internet, and social media. They've grown acclimated to excessive screen time, which has led them to avoid outdoor activities such as hiking and leisurely walks, potentially due to a lack of encouragement or awareness of the benefits of spending time in nature.

With this project, our aim is to reintroduce young people to the outdoors, providing them with opportunities to explore nature. We emphasize the significance of spending time in natural settings to maintain mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Walking in nature and light hikes, represent versatile outdoor activities suitable for nearly everyone, offering numerous benefits for both the body and mind, such as improving blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and stress relief. With a little bit of knowledge regarding equipment, route selection, trail markers, clothing, footwear, supplies, and safety precautions, all risk situations can be avoided.

Leveraging our organization's and partners' experiences, we have devised an outdoor experiential learning program to facilitate personal, social, and environmental interactions among youth from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. This program transcends cultural and traditional barriers, fostering mutual understanding. Together with the partner organisations we have agreed to organise the mobility in Kunbaracs, Hungary, as the venue represents a great natural space in nature, next to the forest.  offering excellent possibilities for light hikes and walks in nature. Our partner has organised activities previously at the location, offering their help to coordinate the logistics.

Objectives:

• By the end of the mobility, 40 young people from Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will have developed a heightened cultural awareness through meaningful conversations with peers from diverse national backgrounds.

• Motivate the 40 young participants to actively engage in outdoor activities, fostering interaction and camaraderie during nature treks.

• Increase awareness among 200 young individuals from the four partner communities regarding the positive impacts of spending time in nature and the value of meaningful discussions during trekking experiences.

During the project duration:

Throughout the course of the project: All 40 direct beneficiaries hailing from Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will experience immediate positive transformations. They will develop a profound appreciation for engaging in intercultural dialogue with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering deeper connections and understanding. Additionally, they will acquire new knowledge and practical skills related to safely navigating trekking activities in nature. Furthermore, they will cultivate transversal competences, which are not confined to a specific field of expertise but are universally valuable across various aspects of their lives. These competences will be formally recognized through the issuance of the Youthpass certificate, an essential tool that empowers them to lead their own learning journey. 

As a result, participants will gain enriched insights into different cultures, forge transnational friendships, and gain heightened awareness of the wealth of Erasmus+ opportunities at their disposal. Young individuals facing fewer opportunities will gain increased confidence in their ability to surmount challenges and actively integrate into various contexts. They will acquire fresh knowledge, skills, and attitudes, detailed further in the dedicated learning outcomes section. They will also adopt more structured approaches to their learning processes, utilizing the ASK model, engaging in reflective practices, and collaborating with their peers. 

Participation in trekking activities will underscore the significance of spending quality time outdoors and nurturing a harmonious balance between body, mind, and emotions. Additionally, they will acquire the competence to adeptly plan and prepare trekking expeditions, taking into account the level of difficulty. 

By participating in Dissemination, Exploitation, and Outreach (DEOR) activities, participants will refine their organizational and public speaking abilities. They will impart the knowledge and experiences gleaned during the youth exchange to their peers, actively promoting Erasmus+ opportunities, including to those facing fewer opportunities. Consequently, this engagement will boost their self-esteem and foster a heightened awareness of their pivotal role in achieving project objectives.

Impact at local level:

The project will have a positive impact in terms of informing the local population, other NGOs, local authorities about our project and its objectives. We have planned activities in the city of Kecskemet so that the young participants have the chance to explore the local community and the cultural heritage. To increase the impact and visibility of the project, the participants will be offered personalized t-shirts with the advertising visuals of Erasmus+ and the logo of the project. For a strong local impact, we will send newsletters to local stakeholders and local media on the spot to inform them about the activities and the hiking that will take place. If they are interested they will be welcome to join during the planned hikes.

After the project duration:

Following their involvement in this project, participants will undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging with heightened self-awareness and the confidence to set and pursue ambitious goals. The project places substantial emphasis on nurturing positive and proactive attitudes among participants. As a result, these young individuals will be better positioned to identify and create opportunities for personal growth and development. They will cultivate healthier and more inclusive relationships, guided by their newfound understanding of diverse cultures and the challenges faced by many young people. Moreover, they will actively encourage and support fellow participants to partake in follow-up activities aimed at promoting the benefits of trekking and utilizing it as a means to connect with nature and themselves on a deeper level. As a direct outcome of the project's robust promotion of Erasmus+, participants will gain a heightened awareness of the vast array of opportunities available to them and their peers. 

They will be inspired to engage in and contribute to the development of additional Erasmus+ projects. The youth exchange will have a profound and lasting impact on participants' receptiveness to other cultures. Collaborative group projects will foster a more open-minded perspective and potentially expand their horizons, potentially even leading some to consider trekking as a profession rather than solely a recreational pursuit.

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Dissemination

Hungary

Romania

Czechia

Slovakia