Grassroots projects from eight different countries have been awarded funding that will help get young people active in the outdoors. The It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT) has revealed details of the recipients of the latest #itsgreatoutthere grants, providing €32,000 of support to initiatives in Montenegro, France, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Finland and Portugal.
Launched in 2017 by the It’s Great Out There Coalition, #itsgreatoutthere grants support grassroots projects by non-profit organisations that are designed to introduce young people to outdoor activities, especially those from disadvantaged or more diverse backgrounds. By the end of 2023, the coalition had supported 50 initiatives through the grants programme, directly involving almost 8,000 individuals. Every organisation that is supported by an #itsgreatoutthere grant follows IGOT’s Outdoor Activity Days (OAD) model. OAD are targeted physical activity interventions in nature, that are designed to get citizens active, sustainably, inclusively and responsibly, and which are aligned to the latest World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity. Between them, the projects that have been awarded #itsgreatoutthere grants in 2024 will deliver 1,195 OAD.
Young people in eight countries will experience Outdoor Activity Days thanks to itsgreatoutthere grants (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
IGOT received a record number of over 140 applications for the latest round of #itsgreatoutthere grants. The submissions were assessed against a range of criteria and a shortlist was sent to coalition members, who voted for their preferred options. The eight successful projects will involve a variety of activities, from camping and climbing, to backwoods skills development and stand up paddleboarding. The non-profit organisations behind the initiatives will use the #itsgreatoutthere grants to enrich the lives of young people with many backgrounds, but all sharing circumstances that mean they have spent little or no time being active in nature.
The eight projects which have received #itsgreatoutthere grants for 2024 are:
- Young people packrafting and ski touring in Montenegro, by Nature Lovers, Montenegro
- ’Climb towards your goals!’, by Association APART, France
- Outdoor climbing and nature camp for youth, by Radovljica Mountaineering Society, Slovenia
- Step Out Mentoring goes camping, by Step Out Mentoring, United Kingdom
- Nature Explorers: Outdoor adventure programme for orphaned children, by Weare1 Association, Spain
- Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Adventures: Skateboarding and SUP, by Chill Foundation gUG (Haftungsbeschränkt), Germany
- The Sleep Outdoors Night 2024, by Mikkelin Latu, Finland
- Rediscovering the Magic Hill of N.Sra.da Encarnação – active children at the natural heart of Leiria, by Ludotempo – Associação de Promoção do Brincar, Portugal.
Margo de Lange, secretary general of the It’s Great Out There Coalition, comments:
We were really encouraged to receive so many applications this year. While this did highlight the scale of the challenge that we all face in getting Europe more active outdoors, it also demonstrated that awareness is growing all over Europe about the #itsgreatoutthere campaign and our proven Outdoor Activity Days model.
There were many excellent applications, so it was a tough task to come up with a shortlist, and then for It’s Great Out There Coalition members to make choices from the final selection that we circulated. We’re grateful for the support of our membership in helping us select the successful initiatives, and for continuing to support the #itsgreatoutthere campaign with vital funds. Now we are really looking forward to following and celebrating the progress of each project over the months ahead.
For more information about the It’s Great Out There Coalition and the #itsgreatoutthere campaign, visit www.itsgreatoutthere.com.
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The successful 2024 #itsgreatoutthere grant recipients
Young people packrafting and ski touring in Montenegro
Organisation: Nature Lovers
Country: Montenegro
Established in 2016 by Balkan nature enthusiasts, Nature Lovers organises mountaineering, skiing, and kayaking activities while promoting environmental conservation. Over 1,000 participants from around the world have joined the group’s initiatives, which include the annual Kayak Fest on Montenegro’s Tara River. As members of 'Balkan River Defence,’ Nature Lovers is dedicated to preserving Europe’s waterways. The organisation also pioneers ski touring in Montenegro, hosting the Ski Tour Fest since 2021.
Young people packrafting and ski touring in Montenegro, by Nature Lovers, Montenegro (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
Nature Lovers’ latest project aims to empower young people through outdoor education. It will take the form of a five-day packrafting and ski touring school in Montenegro. Each activity will be implemented in a child friendly environment and by professionals with years of relevant experience, aiming for equal participation by boys and girls, and opening up opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Follow the activities of Nature Lovers on Instagram HERE.
’Climb towards your goals!’
Organisation: Association APART
Country: France
Founded in 1993, APART is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to supporting social and professional integration in the Seine-Saint-Denis area. This project, delivered by APART in collaboration with the French Federation of Mountain and Climbing (FFME), aims to introduce climbing as a sport to a group of 10 young individuals from Seine-Saint-Denis, a region in Île-de-France that is characterised by high levels of long-term unemployment and economic deprivation.
'Climb towards your goals!’, by Association APART, France (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
The initiative encompasses indoor and outdoor climbing sessions, including rock climbing in designated areas, with the ultimate goal of preparing participants for professional roles as climbing supervisors through the CQP AESA certification course. The programme will involve multiple sessions at climbing gyms, outdoor rock climbing activities, and a three-day mountain trip to further enhance participants’ climbing skills and experiences.
Follow the activities of APART on Instagram HERE.
Outdoor climbing and nature camp for youth
Organisation: Radovljica Mountaineering Society
Country: Slovenia
Planinsko društvo Radovljica (Radovljica Mountaineering Society) is a non-profit organisation based in Radovljica, Slovenia, with a rich history dating back to 1895. The society is dedicated to promoting sports climbing, mountaineering, and hiking in the Julian Alps and beyond. The principle aim of the outdoor camp is to experience nature and build teamwork in an outdoor environment.
(photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
In this five-day long camp, kids aged between eight and 15 will learn rock climbing from experienced instructors, enjoy the thrill of scaling a rock face, build trust and teamwork by belaying their peers, camp under the stars, learn campfire cooking, and hike in the natural surroundings of the Julian Alps. Being aware of the increasing sedentary lifestyle of young people, the society’s goal is to promote a love of nature, develop teamwork and communication skills, build confidence and self-reliance, create lasting memories and, most importantly, to motivate and improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Follow the activities of Radovljica Mountaineering Society on Instagram HERE.
Step Out Mentoring goes camping
Organisation: Step Out Mentoring
Country: United Kingdom
Step Out Mentoring, based in Southwark in London, is an early intervention mentoring organisation that focuses on children and young people. It offers outdoor-based one-to-one mentoring, group sessions, and trips to support individuals aged eight to 18 who face disengagement from education and life, and struggle with isolation and loneliness. Step Out Mentoring’s aim is to guide these individuals towards thriving and becoming positive contributors to their communities.
Step Out Mentoring goes camping, by Step Out Mentoring, United Kingdom (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
This programme will target inactive youngsters and match them with mentors who have been trained to facilitate outdoor activity sessions. The programme is designed to cater to the needs of communities that face specific barriers to accessing outdoor spaces, and marginalisation through poverty and inappropriate access and experiences of mental health services. Step Out Mentoring creates a safe and nurturing environment, allowing young people to explore their challenges and aspirations. The mentoring sessions will be complemented by four camping trips that will take place throughout the programme, giving participants the chance try a new experience, connect with nature and learn new life skills. Each trip will be facilitated by a trained forest school leader to teach skills such as campfire starting, cooking and whittling, instilling a sense of responsibility towards the environment, and encouraging sustainable living practices and an appreciation for the natural world.
Follow the activities of Step Out Mentoring on Instagram HERE.
Nature Explorers: Outdoor adventure programme for orphaned children
Organisation: Weare1 Association
Country: Spain
Weare1 Association is a Spanish non-profit NGO dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of society, including women, children, and the homeless. The association operates to provide support and resources to help these individuals achieve sustainability and improve their quality of life.
Nature Explorers: Outdoor adventure programme for orphaned children, by Weare1 Association, Spain (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
The Nature Explorers project aims to provide orphaned children in Spain with enriching outdoor experiences and educational activities. Through this programme, youngsters will have the opportunity to explore nature, learn new skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. The project will focus on fostering their personal growth, building resilience, and creating positive memories. Activities will include interactive workshops on various nature-related topics, such as wildlife conservation, plant identification, and environmental sustainability. These workshops will provide educational opportunities and help children develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Follow the activities of the Weare1 Association on Facebook HERE.
Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Adventures: Skateboarding and SUP
Organisation: Chill Foundation gUG (Haftungsbeschränkt)
Country: Germany
The Chill Foundation is a non-profit that inspires young people through boardsports and builds a more equitable outdoor community. Chill Germany´s project expands the organisation’s winter programmes, which are focused on snowboarding, to include summer activities with skateboarding, surfskating, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Adventures: Skateboarding and SUP, by Chill Foundation gUG (Haftungsbeschränkt), Germany (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
Targeting the Children Residence Center of Bergisch Gladbach, the project will prioritise inclusivity, aiming to create an environment where participants feel valued and supported. Through boardsports, Chill will teach resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence, fostering joy and community. Participants will gain valuable perspectives for the future while finding a community and a sense of belonging in challenging times. By offering a holistic approach to youth development, Chill aspires to create lasting impacts that extend far beyond the confines of the summer programme.
Follow the activities of the Chill Foundation on Facebook HERE.
The Sleep Outdoors Night 2024
Organisation: Mikkelin Latu
Country: Finland
Mikkelin Latu is a local branch of Suomen Latu, the largest outdoor recreation organisation in Finland. The group aims to facilitate a communal celebration of Finnish Nature Day in August 2024 by providing an accessible avenue for participation, particularly targeting refugee and immigrant families who are unfamiliar with outdoor activities in the country. This will involve collaboration with the local multicultural centre, Mimosa, which has strong connections to people from this demographic.
The Sleep Outdoors Night 2024, by Mikkelin Latu, Finland (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
The concept involves inviting immigrants to acquaint themselves with and partake in outdoor activities, including the experience of sleeping in a tent. The distinctiveness of Nordic outdoor culture and the concept of everyman’s rights, present abundant opportunities for individuals to engage with and appreciate nature. However, for novices, the lack of prior experience can pose a significant challenge, compounded by the expense of equipment and the need for proficiency in its use. The Sleep Outdoors Night will be organised in the immediate vicinity of the Mikkelin Latu club house next to a lake, allowing a low threshold for participation for those not so familiar with activities in nature.
Follow the activities of the Mikkelin Latu on Facebook HERE and on Instagram HERE.
Rediscovering the Magic Hill of N.Sra.da Encarnação – active children at the natural heart of Leiria
Organisation: Ludotempo – Associação de Promoção do Brincar
Country: Portugal
Ludotempo – Associação de Promoção do Brincar is a non-profit created to promote informal physical activity and educational programmes, with play in nature as a central pillar. The organisation has a lot of experience of working with children in the outdoors, designing and implementing activities with small and large groups. Ludotempo currently works with public primary schools in Leiria and with six parents’ associations, all of which will collaborate on this project.
Rediscovering the Magic Hill of N.Sra.da Encarnação – active children at the natural heart of Leiria, by Ludotempo – Associação de Promoção do Brincar, Portugal (photo arch. It’s Great Out There Coalition)
Rediscovering the Magic Hill is a project for children aged seven to ten from low-income families. Through five exciting days outdoors, they will explore Leiria’s hidden gem, N. Sra. da Encarnação. Combining physical activities, nature exploration, and environmental awareness, children will connect with nature, learn about their city and area’s history, and contribute to its preservation.
Follow the activities of Ludotempo on Facebook HERE and on Instagram HERE.
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