EXPLORE TO LEARN
UPSIDE DOWN
What is Upside Down?
Upside Down is an Erasmus+ KA2 Cooperation Partnership that aims to improve the quality of youth work by strengthening the competences of youth workers to design and facilitate inclusive, accessible and meaningful non-formal learning experiences. The project equips youth workers with practical methods, tools and resources that better respond to the diverse needs of young people and encourage their active participation in society.
Why is it important?
Young people today face increasing challenges related to inclusion, participation, mental well-being and active citizenship. At the same time, youth workers need continuous professional development to create learning experiences that are engaging, inclusive and relevant.
Upside Down responds to these needs by creating an international learning community where experienced youth organisations exchange good practices, develop innovative educational tools and test new approaches based on the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers.
The project ultimately contributes to higher-quality youth work and creates more opportunities for young people to develop competences, take initiative and become active members of their communities.
How is it designed?
The project is built around the 9 competence areas of the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers and combines international learning, peer exchange, practical application and local impact.
Each WorkLab combines:
- competency-based training;
- experiential and non-formal learning;
- peer learning and exchange of good practices;
- mentoring and coaching;
- practical programme design through a WorkLab, where participants create activities they will later implement in their own organisations
Upside Down Activities
- 9 international WorkLabs
- 6 online training sessions
- 4 local youth events organised by each partner organisation
- 1 multiplier event in each partner country
- 2 transnational partner meetings (Kick-off and Final Meeting)
Upside Down Tools & Results
The partnership will develop practical educational resources that will be freely available for youth workers across Europe:
- 35+ educational videos explaining key theories, principles and methods for designing high-quality learning experiences.
- Online Resource Library containing over 70 practical resources, including methods, studies, publications, activity descriptions and recommended literature.
- Practical toolkit with tested non-formal education activities and facilitation methods collected and developed throughout the WorkLabs.
- Improved competences of youth workers based on the ETS Competence Model.
- A strong European network promoting quality, inclusive and experiential youth work.
Project Period
November 2025 – February 2028 (28 months)
Project Partners
- Olde Vechte Foundation (Netherlands) – Coordinator
- Outward Bound Romania (Romania)
- Ticket2Europe (Spain)
- Scambi Europei (Italy)
- Rota Jovem (Portugal)
- Re:view (Latvia)
- European Youth Centre Břeclav (Czech Republic)
Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
Training period: 10 – 18 July 2026
Location: Sovata – Outward Bound Romania Youth Center and Gurghiului mountain, Romania
Participants: 21 youth workers and educators
Participating countries: Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, Latvia and Romania.
Partner organizations:
- Olde Vechte Foundation – Netherlands
- Ticket2Europe – Spain
- Scambi Europei – Italy
- Rota Jovem – Portugal
- European Youth Center Breclav – Czech Republic
- Biedrība Re:view – Latvia
- Outward Bound Romania – Romania
Info Letter: https://canva.link/kjyro8hzcm89yt1
About the project: Explore to Learn was the third international WorkLab organized within the Upside Down Erasmus+ KA220 project*. The WorkLab brought together youth workers and educators from across Europe to explore how outdoor experiential education can foster inclusion, participation and meaningful learning processes.
During seven intensive program days, participants experienced and analysed various non-formal educational methods, outdoor learning approaches and experiential activities that can be transferred into their own youth work practices.
* “Upside Down” is a large-scale Erasmus+ KA220 partnership, coordinated by the Olde Vechte Foundation from the Netherlands, focused on improving the quality of youth work through international WorkLabs, shared practices, local events and practical educational resources.
The program’s main goal: To enhance the competences of youth workers in using outdoor experiential learning methodologies and to provide practical tools that support inclusive, engaging and transformative learning experiences for young people.
Specific objectives:
- to explore the principles and methods of Outdoor Experiential Education;
- to increase participants’ competences in designing meaningful learning experiences in nature;
- to strengthen cooperation and exchange of good practices among youth organizations;
- to develop practical tools that foster participation, inclusion and personal development;
- to support youth workers in transferring experiential methods into their local realities and organizations.
The elements of the program:
- Outdoor Experiential Education methodologies;
- Learning through direct experience and reflection;
- Nature-based activities and experiential challenges;
- Facilitation and debriefing techniques;
- Inclusion and participation through outdoor learning;
- Teamwork, cooperation and peer learning;
- Translating experiential methods into local youth work practice.
Results:
The WorkLab increased participants’ understanding of experiential education and its potential to create meaningful and inclusive learning environments. Participants gained practical tools, facilitation techniques, and new perspectives on using nature and experience as educational resources.
The program strengthened international cooperation among partner organizations and inspired participants to implement new educational approaches, local activities and future collaborations that contribute to higher quality youth work across Europe.
Photos and videos about the program:
