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Browse funded projects
Since 2017, the Coalition has funded projects all over Europe.
#ITSGREATOUTTHERE meets Wanderlust Women
Amira Patel is the founder of Wanderlust Women, a hiking and adventure group for Muslim women. Amira’s vision is for it to be normal in society for women from her background to explore the great outdoors, to feel confident when they are out in nature. We spoke to Amira to learn more about her own experience in the outdoors, and plans for the future of Wanderlust Women.
‘Down by the River’ and #itsgreatoutthere
May finally sees the conclusion of a three-year collaboration between #itsgreatoutthere and the Comunità di San Martino al Campo (SMaC) association, which has been working with young people from difficult backgrounds and providing them with new perspectives in life through outdoor experiences. After a pandemic-enforced break, SMaC has resumed its work with ‘Down by the River’, which will see participants follow the course of the Tagliamento river, via a variety of activities.
Latest #itsgreatoutthere grants continue support for grass roots outdoor participation projects across Europe
We are delighted to announce details of six grass roots projects that have secured funding through the latest round of #itsgreatoutthere grants. Each will receive up to €5,000 to help them introduce new participants to a wide range of activities in nature. The grants awarded ahead of summer 2022 will deliver almost 800 Outdoor Activity Days in Croatia, Greece, Latvia and the UK.
Call for applications for 2022 #itsgreatoutthere grants
Applications are open until 28th February
It’s Great Out There Coalition pledges to deliver thousands of Outdoor Activity Days to support European Commission’s HealthyLifestyle4All campaign
The It’s Great Out There Coalition is delighted to support HealthyLifestyle4All, the European Commission’s two-year campaign that aims to link sport and active lifestyles with health, food and other policies. The coalition and the #itsgreatoutthere campaign that we lead are already key partners for a range of Commission initiatives, embedding the outdoor sector in the development of policy and on-the-ground projects that are designed to encourage and facilitate more active lifestyles for physical and mental wellbeing. HealthyLifestyle4All is the latest initiative that will push that vital agenda throughout Europe and the coalition will play a full and proactive role in it.
Helly Hansen and #itsgreatoutthere to deliver Outdoor Activity Days with We Go Outside Too
We have already helped thousands of citizens to get active in the outdoors through our #itsgreatoutthere grants programme and that will continue. Meanwhile, it’s really encouraging that we are also starting to get approaches from companies and non-profit organisations with other ideas. So we were delighted when outdoor brand Helly Hansen made contact, not only to join the coalition from 2022, but also to propose an initiative that will benefit both the #itsgreatoutthere campaign, and a great UK non-profit project called We Go Outside Too.
Grant helps give new experience in the UK’s oldest National Park to hundreds from inner city Nottingham
One of the projects that we have supported with an #itsgreatoutthere grant this year is True Nature Project, an initiative by the non-profit organisation AKA – Health, Wealth and Oneness CIC, in Nottingham, UK. AKA teamed up with coalition member Equip Outdoors to propose an ambitious plan to take young people and adults from the inner city and give them access to hiking and other activities in the Peak District, the UK’s oldest National Park. With the support of a grant, the team helped over 250 people to participate this summer, with some very positive responses from those involved.
From Madrid to the mountains with support from #itsgreatoutthere
Last year, we awarded a series of #itsgreatoutthere micro-grants to projects around Europe, as part of our response to the impact of COVID-19 on the non-profit sector. Supported by the European Outdoor Group, we adapted our existing grants scheme in order to help a greater number of smaller projects that would otherwise struggle to get underway. One of the initiatives that we backed was the Federacion Madrileña De Montañismo Mountaineering Youth Programme in Spain and the team there has recently sent us some great feedback
Latest #itsgreatoutthere grants will deliver thousands of days of outdoor activities
Grass roots projects around Europe are set to deliver thousands of days of outdoor activities after securing support from the It’s Great Out There Coalition. In the latest round of #itsgreatoutthere grants, seven non-profit initiatives will receive between €1,000 and €5,000, which will help them to deliver almost 2,000 ‘Outdoor Activity Days’ (OAD) in a natural environment, bringing together physical activity, inclusion and nature conservation. Thanks to the grants, projects in France, Finland and the UK will now be able to give many young people new experiences in the outdoors, safely and responsibly.
About the first round of 2021 #itsgreatoutthere grants
The following seven projects have been awarded #itsgreatoutthere grants of between €1,000 and €5,000:
Girls count! Adventures
A STEAM themed outdoor adventure for Black mothers and daughters, aimed at building mathematical identities of Black working class girls through mother/daughter engagement, mobility, and discovery in STEM. The project will build relationships, confidence and Math, storytelling and media literacy through small citizen-science type activities focused on environment and the outdoor world.
Minds Matter
Our experience pre and during CV19, has told us that deprived young people are more vulnerable to developing poor mental-health and we regularly see first-hand, young people who are “not fit for work” through a toxic combination of shockingly poor physical and mental-health.
Outdoors to Share
Outdoors to Share supports disadvantaged Hackney families to help each other to get outdoors regularly – to play,walk and camp. This will include 6 supported walks & 2 overnight camps with 8 families plus social gatherings to reinforce the message that getting outdoors every day is important.
Outdoor by Ternua and IGOT, Action 3
Objective of the action: Making nature activities accessible to „NEETS”, by highlighting benefits on mental and physical health as well as on the skills developed, which can be transferable in the world of work: effort, surpassing oneself, risk-taking…
Families in the Mountains
The project called “Family in the mountains” aims to enable vulnerable families living in the territory of the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley to take part in sports activities for a social and territorial inclusion.
Launch of #itsgreatoutthere Outdoor Activity Days aims to boost participation across Europe
The It’s Great Out There Coalition has unveiled details of a new concept that will be at the heart of the next phase of its long term project to get Europe active outdoors. The coalition has launched #itsgreatoutthere Outdoor Activity Days, which will deliver clear and measurable results for every contribution to the organisation and will allow more companies, other organisations and individuals to get actively involved in the campaign.
The Coalition launches #itsgreatoutthere Outdoor Activity Days and announces a new round of funding for grassroots projects
Since its launch in 2017, the Coalition has grown into a major pan-European movement, inspiring citizens to get active in the outdoors. Through the #itsgreatouthere campaign, the coalition has both promoted outdoor participation to the public and worked with European institutions to influence policy that encourages active lifestyles. In addition, #itsgreatoutthere has directly helped get more of the public into nature for the first time, with thousands of young people across Europe benefiting from grants that have supported grass roots projects.
#itsgreatoutthere grant helps hundreds of young people discover adventure in the mountains
Early in 2020, we awarded an #itsgreatoutthere grant to a ‘En Passant par la Montagne’ (‘Through the Mountain’), a non-profit initiative that allows young people and adults in underprivileged or challenging circumstances to access the mountains and outdoor sports as a source of motivation and support to rise above their current situation.
Young people from six nations will benefit from new #itsgreatoutthere grants
The It’s Great Out There Coalition has confirmed the 10 projects that will be supported in the latest round of #itsgreatoutthere grants. Local initiatives in six different countries that mainly involve young people, will each receive €1.000, to help them get new participants active in the outdoors, experiencing activities that include climbing, camping, trekking, adventure racing, orienteering, canyoning, skiing and snowboarding.
The rewarding results of #itsgreatoutthere grants
One of the most rewarding aspects for everyone involved in our movement is receiving news of how an #itsgreatoutthere grant has helped introduce young people to the outdoors for the first time. Our grant programme was launched in 2017 and we’ve already supported 17 projects of different sizes and types around Europe, directly benefiting around 5,300 people. In our first round of grants in 2020, we backed two great initiatives and they have recently reported back after a successful summer.
Launch of #itsgreatoutthere micro-grants to help non-profit organisations get Europe active outdoors
The It’s Great Out There Coalition has announced details of a new round of #itsgreatoutthere grants, designed to fund projects by non-profit organisations that take new people into the outdoors.
Outdoor Families Get Out After Lockdown Project
As lockdown eases, The Outdoor Families Get Out After Lockdown Project will help disadvantaged families in London to rebuild their confidence and get outdoors more regularly.
Out and About
We plan to dedicate the funds to our Norrbotten and Västerbotten department where we arrange sport, outdoor and cultural activities for immigrants and locals. The funds will go to a five month project and cover 10% of the regional coordinator who helps our volunteers to organise outdoor activities, spread the word and find participants and make sure the activity runs smoothly and that the activity leaders have everything the need, both information wise but also material.
AFK Autumn Holiday Programme
Closure of schools & colleges and removal of activities, care and support networks, and respite due to COVID-19 has catastrophic. Loneliness, isolation and anxiety are prevalent. The Lancet lists those with learning disabilities in the most vulnerable groups to experience profound mental health issues during and post pandemic.
Inspiring young people to get outside after Covid
In response to the pandemic we postponed our usual programme and set up a bespoke, virtual, one-to-one mentoring scheme. Post-lockdown, we would like to run some group activity day sessions in the winter/early spring months which will provide a much-needed opportunity for the young people on our programme to reconnect, experience positive activities outside the home again and resume their YAT adventures.
Outdoor with TERNUA and #itsgreatoutthere by CREPS
For several years now, the CREPS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Vallon Pont d’Arc has been making outdoor activities more accessible to young people who do not engage in physical activity, are lost on the education system, looking for work, and often in social difficulties, aged 16 to 25 years. The activities aimed to achieve this goal, highlight the benefits both on mental and physical health of outdoor activities and focus on the transferable skills required to enter the world of work take place naturally: effort, surpassing oneself, risk taking.
Free to be Kids – growing children’s emotional health
“Free to be Kids” projects for lasting positive memories outdoors:
The projects the kids undertake with “Free to be Kids” are designed to give them the opportunity to experience adventure, inclusion, safe challenge and to make lasting positive memories in natural settings.
AKU – ORME – Festival dei sentieri
One day out to enjoy the beauty of nature and learn more about the benefit of mountain life. More than 100 young mountain lovers in Fai Della Paganella (Dolomites, Italy) had an amazing experience at “ORME – The Outdoor Festival Along the Trails”.
Skills for Living
We run a service called Skills for Living, for Care experienced Young people aged 16-24. These are vulnerable young people whom usually struggle mentally and social, we therefore work with them around their mental health, relationships and emotional anxiety. We work with them over a long period of time to try and build trust and the relationship as they rarely trust anyone. We try and look for ways to help their confidence and self-esteem as well as building resilience within them.
HEALING NATURE: CYCLING ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER – School on Wheels
On the 6th of may 2019 eleven students of the SMaC school embarked with their educators and some volunteers in a 5-day bicycle journey in the Wachau region of Austria. Starting from the medieval town of Melk, the group followed the course of the Danube river for 120 km, sleeping in Tulln and Krems am der Donau, before reaching Vienna for the final stay.
11 students, 15 days, one goal: Crossing the Pyrenees
Each year, students in 9th, 10th and 11th grade at a school in Hamburg (Winterhuder Reformschule) prepare for a 2-week challenge. A challenge that pushes students physically and mentally.
TRAIL BLAZERS – adventure camp – follow up
Follow your heart, take a chance and blaze a trail! TrailBlazers is a youth empowerment mission to build confidence, resilience and life skills to help teenage girls tackle mental health issues and live courageously. On a beautiful sunny weekend in October 2018, 50 girls had the experience of a life-time at the inaugural adventure camp at PGL in Dorset. Here is the story of what happened…
EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY TO DISCOVER THE JOY OF MOVEMENT
Hundreds of young people from a school in eastern England are enjoying new experiences in the outdoors thanks to the award of an #itsgreatoutthere grant. Over 400 students, including 128 who had never been on the water before, have already been canoeing in boats that were purchased using the grant, led by Dom Brister from Stamford Welland Academy in Lincolnshire, part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust. Thousands more will be given the chance to explore the outdoors in the canoes in the coming years, learning a wide range of new skills in the process.
Stamford Welland Academy
Hundreds of young people from a school in eastern England are enjoying new experiences in the outdoors thanks to the award of an #itsgreatoutthere grant. Over 400 students, including 128 who had never been on the water before, have already been canoeing in boats that were purchased using the grant, led by Dom Brister from Stamford Welland Academy in Lincolnshire, part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust. Thousands more will be given the chance to explore the outdoors in the canoes in the coming years, learning a wide range of new skills in the process.
TRAIL BLAZERS: Take a chance follow your heart & blaze a trail
TrailBlazers is a ground breaking youth empowerment initiative to help teenage girls develop the confidence and skills to navigate their own path and live courageously
New #itsgreatoutthere grant for Rosendale school
The It’s Great Out There Coalition has confirmed that the next #itsgreatoutthere grant will be awarded to a collaboration between Finnish children’s outdoor brand Reima and an inner city primary school in London. The grant will help the two partners run a project designed to create a culture of being more active among young people and those with whom they interact.
New #itsgreatoutthere grant helps communities to connect through campsites in city parks
The It’s Great Out There Coalition has awarded its seventh #itsgreatoutthere grant to a Dutch project called De Buurtcamping. The initiative is designed to unify local communities and provide opportunities for those living on low incomes to have a holiday, by giving them outdoor experiences in campsites set up in city parks. The #itsgreatoutthere grant is helping De Buurtcamping engage with local sports companies and activity providers to host a range of activities within the camps over the summer months.
37 pupils are travelling by bike through the Netherlands
The 37 pupils of class 7b from the „Freie Waldorfschule am Kräherwald e.V.“ are travelling by bike through the Netherlands. For two weeks the girls and boys discover cities and the landscape of Holland, sleep in tents and will have to resist wind and weather. They will do something they would never do on their own – but as a group they will reach their goal and share a great experience together. Hopefully it will inspire them to make this way of travelling an option for future holiday activities as well as outdoor activities in general.
It’s Great Out There: FMM Big Mountain Clean Up
Every year on the first saturday of June, FFM (Madrilenian federation of mountaineering), convene the mountaineers from Madrid to share a day in nature.
It’s Great Out There: School on Wheels expedition up the Danube river
Adventures take many forms, and can have a different purpose and meaning to every person that takes part.
Crossing The Alps with a school class
Thirteen Teenagers From Northern Germany Accomplished A Huge Challenge This Summer
Trek with donkeys by AKU
Trek with donkeys is an easy and educational trek which is perfect both for children and adults and amazingly fits for the goal of #itsgreatoutthere. The donkey is the perfect mate for children’s treks: it is smart and calm, it loves being petted, it walks with regular and slow steps, it makes the trek more fun.
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