Project description:
Nature in Us is a 5 day(+ 2 travel days) training course that empowers youth workers to nurture mental wellbeing through the healing power of nature. By combining nature-based learning, mindfulness, body awareness, and self-care practices, the project provides practical and accessible tools that help young people build resilience, manage stress, and reconnect with themselves and their environment.
Nature in Us is about rediscovering the vital connection between people and nature—creating stronger youth workers, healthier young people, and more resilient communities for the future.
Core of the project are sustainable and eco-friendly approaches, methods based on latest research on somatic mindfulness, nature and its positive impact on human health and psyche. Key methods include:
- The Forestminds (Metsämieli): – an innovative Finnish concept combining mindfulness, positive psychology, and coaching, using simple, nonphysical exercises in natural environments to support self-awareness, relaxation, and burnout prevention.
- Somatic techniques: – based on Polyvagal Theory complement this approach through mindful movement and breathwork, helping participants shift from stress to states of safety and balance. Polyvagal Theory provides a framework for understanding how the autonomic nervous system regulates our emotions, social behavior, and responses to stress and how our brain and body is connected.
- Permaculture and Sustainable practices: – which support young people’s wellbeing by reconnecting them with nature, community, and themselves in practical &, meaningful ways.
- The „Forest Wellness“ Toolkit: – You will walk away with a ready-to-use, structured manual to lead your own 3-hour stress-relief workshops in nature back home.
Nature in Us training will take place from 22nd till 28h of September 2026 in the village of Prenčov, Slovakia.
The applications are only opened for potential participants who have legal residency in Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Latvia and Estonia.
- The DEADLINE for applying to this programme is 17th of July 2026.
- The selection results will be announced on the 22nd of July .
- All costs connected with training, for travel, food and accommodation are funded by the Erasmus +.
You can find the complete info kit here. Online application form here
We look forward to hearing about you and will be in touch soon. If you are encountering any challenge with the application process, please write us at: info@artkruh.org