A tool for inclusion of young migrants in NEET situation in Iceland, Ireland and Germany
In recent years, the challenges faced by migrant youth in NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) situations
have gained significant attention across Europe, highlighting an urgent need for innovative and inclusive approaches. Inside Out, an Erasmus+ supported project, responded to this need through a collaboration between Tækifærið (The Opportunity) in Iceland, Culture Goes Europe in Germany, and Eurobug International Youth Work and Training Collaboration Ltd (Eurobug Int) in Ireland. This project aimed to support the integration and personal development of migrant youth by utilizing outdoor education as a tool for social inclusion and empowerment.
Recognizing the potential of outdoor education to address these issues, the Inside Out project focused on building essential life skills, fostering resilience, and enhancing mental well-being through nature-based learning experiences that encourage teamwork, decision-making, and community building. A final report has been developed entailing all steps of the process, testimonials, key insights and recommendations. We hope this report serves as both an insightful and empowering resource for those invested in the integration and support of young migrants through innovative educational approaches.
The first phase of the project involved a needs analysis within each partner country to explore local challenges and assess how outdoor education can best be applied. This analysis combined multiple research methods: focus group discussions with young migrants, interviews with youth workers and trainers with expertise in outdoor education, and surveys targeting integration service providers and civil society. The findings, which include specific insights from Iceland, Ireland, and Germany, can be found in chapter 1, 2 and 3, forming the basis for the next phases of the project.
Chapter 4 provides an overview of the Training Course held in Iceland, an international event where youth workers and professionals explored the potential of outdoor education and learned how to apply these methods in their local environments. Following this enriching experience, a documentary was created to capture participants’ insights and reflections, as detailed in Chapter 5. After returning to their communities, participants applied and adapted the methods introduced during the training, conducting localized events to test and refine these approaches. Chapter 6 offers an in-depth look at each of these initiatives. The report concludes by summarizing key insights and recommendations, aiming to extend the reach and impact of
this knowledge. Here we present these findings:
One of the most compelling insights from the Inside Out project is the universal accessibility of nature. Nature, as a shared common ground, is available to everyone, transcending language and cultural barriers. This makes outdoor education an adaptable and replicable model for migrant integration, with the potential to reach diverse populations across regions. Encouraging movement, teamwork, and hands-on learning, nature-based interventions help participants reconnect with themselves, each other, and their new communities, building resilience and confidence in an engaging, stress-relieving environment. The replicability of this method underscores its value for broader adoption in migrant integration efforts across different cultural contexts.
As we look to the future, training youth workers, community psychologists, social workers, and community leaders in this methodology will be essential to ensure the successful replication of outdoor education models. These professionals, who are at the forefront of supporting migrant youth, need the skills and tools to apply nature-based methods effectively in their daily work. Equipped with these practices, they can create inclusive and impactful programs tailored to their communities, amplifying the reach and sustainability of outdoor education.
There is also an urgent need for greater institutional support and recognition of outdoor education as a viable approach for integration. Educational systems, which often emphasize classroom-based learning, can significantly benefit by incorporating nature-based methods, especially for students who struggle with conventional settings. Outdoor education fosters experiential learning and skill-building in real-world contexts, enabling young migrants to develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that are crucial for adapting to new environments.
Furthermore, we encourage migrant integration services and organizations to explore the potential of outdoor education as part of their support frameworks. By incorporating outdoor programs into their practices, these organizations can better address the unique needs of migrant youth, providing them with not only a pathway to social inclusion but also a sustainable means of supporting their mental and emotional health.
Strategic partnerships with local outdoor education providers, schools, and community centers can help overcome logistical barriers, such as cost, transportation, and access to equipment, making this approach more widely available.
As we look to the future, replicating this model in new contexts and integrating it within educational and migrant support systems will be crucial steps toward creating a more inclusive, resilient, and connected society. By institutionalizing nature-based interventions, we can ensure that young migrants in NEET situations receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive in their new communities.
This project (P.Nº: 2023–1-IS01-KA210-YOU-000160096) is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program. Its consortium is assembled by Culture Goes Europe e.V. from Germany, Eurobug from Ireland, and The Opportunity from Iceland.
