On the 22nd of November, the cozy Traumchen room of Traumraum became the gathering place for the Inside Out Project’s Multiplier Event—“Inside Out – Tales from the Wild”. This event celebrated the culmination of a year-long journey exploring the transformative power of outdoor education as a tool for integration and inclusion of young migrants in NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) situations.
The evening began with an open cinema session, inviting participants to relax on sofas and benches in a warm, inviting atmosphere. The highlight of the screening was the documentary produced during the training course in Iceland in April, which beautifully captured the essence of outdoor education and its potential to create meaningful connections and learning opportunities. As the documentary unfolded, the audience experienced the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, the challenges and joys of the training, and the impactful stories of participants who embraced outdoor education as a tool for growth.
Following the screening, a discussion session commenced. A team member involved in the project provided an overview of the program’s structure, breaking it down into key phases:
- Initial Research Phase: This involved focus groups with young people in NEET situations, a survey with integration service providers, and case studies with trainers and educators, laying the groundwork for understanding the needs and barriers of the target group.
- The Training Course in Iceland: Held in April, this transformative experience brought together youth workers, educators, and participants to explore and practice outdoor education methods, many of which were highlighted in the documentary.
- Piloting Events in Each Partner Country: These events tested outdoor education methodologies in real-world contexts. In Germany, for example, participants spent a weekend at the Leutratal Nature Reserve, engaging in outdoor activities and bonding as a group while experiencing the power of nature-based learning.
The speaker emphasized how these phases and their outcomes were meticulously compiled into the final project report, which was presented during the event. The physical copies of the report circulated among attendees, allowing them to explore the findings, recommendations, and insights in detail.
Next, another team member delved into the funding framework that enabled the program. They outlined how the project was brought to life through collaboration between Culture Goes Europe (Germany), Eurobug (Ireland), and The Opportunity (Iceland), with support from the Erasmus+ program. They also shared the exciting news about ongoing collaborations and newly applied projects, demonstrating how the partnerships and methodologies developed through Inside Out are paving the way for future initiatives.
The final presentation came from a representative of CGE, who introduced ISIHub—an Inclusive Social Innovation Hub. The hub is dedicated to empowering individuals to develop their own ideas and projects with an entrepreneurial approach, fostering a sense of agency and innovation within the community. This presentation invited attendees to actively participate and consider how they could use the hub to continue or expand on the work started by Inside Out.
The formal part of the event transitioned seamlessly into a vibrant networking session. Participants enjoyed music provided by Traumraum, along with snacks and drinks that complemented the cozy, relaxed atmosphere. Conversations flowed naturally as attendees exchanged ideas, reflected on the project’s journey, and discussed aspirations for the future of outdoor education as an integration tool.
The Inside Out Multiplier Event was not just a celebration of the project’s achievements—it was a call to action, an invitation to continue the work, and a testament to the power of outdoor education to build connections, foster inclusion, and inspire personal and social transformation.
This project (P.Nº: 2023–1-IS01-KA210-YOU-000160096) is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program. Its consortium is assembled by Culture Goes Europe e.V. from Germany, Eurobug from Ireland, and The Opportunity from Iceland.
