🌿 Rethink, Reconnect, and Rediscover the Outdoors in Youth Work!

In an increasingly urbanized and digitized world, young people are becoming more disconnected from their natural surroundings. But what if the outdoors — even the closest park, street, or green corner — could become a powerful space for learning, well-being, and inclusion? As youth work evolves, professionals face a key challenge: how do we intentionally and creatively use the environment around us as a non-formal learning tool?

That’s why “The Outdoor Youth Work” brings together youth workers from different geographic and cultural contexts for an immersive international training course in Grenoble — a place where urban life meets the rural landscape of the Alps. Over several intensive days, participants will explore how to integrate the outdoors into their everyday youth work, regardless of whether they work in city centers or rural areas.

Through experiential outdoor workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and hands-on facilitation labs, participants will:

• Discover how to transform nearby outdoor spaces into meaningful non-formal learning environments.

• Challenge common misconceptions about nature-based education and learn to work with minimal resources.

• Experiment with inclusive, low-cost outdoor activities that support young people’s mental and physical well-being.

• Align their practice with the European Training Strategy and strengthen key competences for international youth work.

• Exchange experiences and good practices with youth workers from diverse local realities.
  
  

This training course is not about reaching remote wilderness or using specialized equipment — it’s about changing perspectives. Participants will leave with practical tools, a personal roadmap for outdoor youth work, and a shared digital toolkit of outdoor activities. Beyond skills and methods, they will become part of an international network of youth workers who feel confident and empowered to bring learning back outside — whether navigating the urban jungle or rural landscapes.

We are looking for enthusiastic youth workers to take part in this exciting seminar to share methodologies and ideas on digital facilitation. 

✅ Who can apply?

• Citizen of the following countries: Residents of European Union Member States and third countries not associated to Erasmus+ 

• It is 18+ years old

• Youth workers who are curious and motivated to explore outdoor-based non-formal education, and eager to experiment with creative, low-cost activities in urban or rural environments 

• Open-minded, active, and ready to fully engage in experiential outdoor workshops, group work, and reflective learning processes 

• Excited to exchange ideas and good practices with peers from different countries and local contexts 

• Available for the full 7-day program and committed to active participation throughout the training course 

• Willing to share the acquired methods and experiences with other youth workers and within their local communities after the project 

The training will take place in Grenoble, France

The accommodation will be ensured in Grenoble, in the hearth of the city, in rented apartments. Everyone will be accommodated in 2-4 person rooms. No mixing of genders possible in the rooms.
A daily food allowance of will be provided to each participant. 

No participant can arrive later than the official arrival day or depart earlier than the official departure day. Skipping activity days is not tolerated. We encourage greener means of travel whenever possible, such as public transportation, carpooling, or contracted bus. 

Once the groups are formed, we will organize and arrange the most efficient route and means of travel to Grenoble, France. The transport tickets will be purchased by the organization for the participants. Green travel will be prioritized. 

Please do NOT buy any tickets on your own without first consulting us, to avoid any risk of your travel expenses being ineligible for reimbursement.

Arrival in Grenoble: 14-15 April 2026
Departure from Grenoble: 23-24 April 2026
(Some participants might start the travel during the night in order to arrive in time to the activity in time)

IMPORTANT: Most of the costs like travel, activities, materials, accommodation, and daily food, are covered by the Erasmus+ programme. Rest, such as insurance, travel upgrades such as priority, checked-in luggage, 1st class tickets, etc, are not covered. Please, remember, The EU does co-fund, not fully fund this event, therefore you must cover your additional expenses.

All the participants must have valid travel insurance for the whole project period, including the travel days. The insurance must cover the following: 

1. Third-party liability 

2. Lost or stolen baggage. 

3. Accident and serious illness. 

We cannot accept participants without private travel insurance. Supplementary, we also recommend that you get a European health insurance card. Your national health insurance provider issues this card. 

It’s time to showcase your country and culture in a fun, creative way!
Each participant is welcomed to prepare a short program to present their traditions, customs, and way of life. This is a special moment when participants can get to know each other’s cultures in a relaxed and informal setting.

What to bring:

• Traditional snacks and foods 

• National flags 

• Traditional clothes
  
  

Ideas for your presentation:

• Creative performances (songs, dances, short plays)

• Interactive quizzes or games

• Storytelling sessions or short videos (optional, only during free time)

We encourage you to be as creative as possible — think outside the box! Use theatre, live presentations, dances, or even funny sketches to make your evening memorable.

Arrival Day – Participants arrive at Grenoble, get settled in, and join an informal meet & greet to start connecting with each other.

Day 1: Ice-breaking and Team Cohesion
Participants will take part in interactive team-building activities designed to build trust, strengthen group cohesion, and break down cultural barriers. The day will set the tone for collaboration and reflection throughout the training course.

Day 2: Exploring Contexts, Youthpass & Safety Outdoors
Participants will engage in teambuilding activities while exploring the Youthpass Certificate and learning process, followed by a workshop on protection, safety, and ethics in outdoor youth work. The day will also address common fears and misconceptions related to working outdoors with young people.

Days 3–6:
During these days, participants will dive into outdoor non-formal education and nature-based learning. Through experiential outdoor workshops, reflective activities, and collaborative group work, they will explore how nearby outdoor spaces — whether urban or rural — can enhance learning, inclusion, and well-being in youth work. Participants will experiment with creative, low-cost outdoor activities, exchange good practices from their local contexts, and co-create practical outdoor workshops that can be easily adapted and implemented with young people. The process will also support self-reflection and competence development in line with the European Training Strategy (ETS).

Day 7:
Time to reflect on our shared journey, gather feedback, and plan how to share and multiply the results (DEOR). The training course will conclude with a Youthpass ceremony and a closing activity celebrating the experience and the newly formed international network.

Departure Day – See you soon!

In order to apply,  you have to create  an ASEY account, using  the link below.  If you already have an account  you  need to  log in  and complete the application form!
When you are creating the account and applying please carefully read the application form and note that:
1. We are not responsible for the wrong or incomplete data you introduce in the form.
2. Your data such as name, e-mail, and date of birth must be correct. Making mistakes will automatically translate into wrong information on your certificate received at the end of the project.
3. You must use no other e-mail address other than yours. Make sure you have access to it.
4. You have to specify to us if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan menu or have any allergies or intolerances - this cannot be changed during the project .