Outdoor Learning for Wellbeing, Inclusion and Sustainability in Education (OUTWISE)
The project “OUTWISE: Outdoor Learning for Wellbeing, Inclusion and Sustainability in Education” is a Nordplus Horizontal cooperation project that brings together partners from Estonia, Finland and Norway to strengthen outdoor learning approaches that support wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability in education and community learning.
Project partners
- The project is led by Foundation Tartu Environmental Education Centre (Tartu Nature House) (Estonia); contact person Gedy Matisen (gedy.matisen@tartuloodusmaja.ee).
- The Finnish Association of Nature and Environment Schools (LYKE network) (Finland); contact person Johanna Sunikka (johanna.sunikka@luontokoulut.fi).
- FEE Norway (Norway); contact person Lene Jeanette Øverby Haakonsen (ljh@fee.no).
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) (Norway); contact person Mai-Sissel Linløkken (maisissell@nih.no).
The project is funded by the Nordplus Horizontal Programme with a grant of 60,000 EUR for the period May 2026 – August 2027.
Project aim
OUTWISE aims to develop and test innovative outdoor learning approaches that support:
- wellbeing and mental resilience,
- inclusion and accessibility,
- sustainability education,
- cross-sectoral cooperation,
- and active participation in local communities.
The project combines expertise from environmental education, outdoor pedagogy, higher education, wellbeing promotion and NGO-based learning networks.
Planned activities
During the project period, partners will:
- organise transnational cooperation meetings and learning exchanges;
- participate in Nordic-Baltic outdoor education and research events, such as the ULOS–UT–OUT – Outdoor learning conference in Tampere from 9.-11. June 2026; and the 11th International Outdoor Education Research Conference (IOERC11) in Oslo from 22.-26.06.2026;
- co-create practical outdoor learning methods and pilot activities;
- develop and test educational approaches that combine wellbeing, sustainability and inclusion;
- share experiences and good practices between educators, NGOs and researchers;
- create dissemination materials and organise communication activities for wider educational communities.
Expected outcomes
The project seeks to:
- strengthen cooperation between Nordic and Baltic educational organisations;
- improve the quality and accessibility of outdoor learning practices;
- support educators with practical and research-informed methods;
- increase awareness of the role of nature and outdoor learning in wellbeing and inclusion;
- and contribute to more sustainable and inclusive educational environments.
The project results will be shared through partner networks, events, online communication channels and educational dissemination activities. In spring 2027, partners will meet in Tartu city in Estonia for the Outdoor Education Week and in summer 2027 an online international final webinar will be held to share the best practices from the project.