PLANET4B Learning Community

Empowering youth to shape the future of biodiversity.

Urban youth, intersectionality, and nature

Our PLANET4B Learning Community is a collaborative initiative between CGE Erfurt e.V. and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg under the Horizon Europe framework that brings together diverse young individuals to explore how social and cultural dimensions shape youth attitudes towards biodiversity.

Focusing on the intersection of urban youth and nature, this community seeks to understand and empower young people — particularly those from marginalised backgrounds — by enhancing their influence in nature-related decision-making processes.

Through innovative intervention methods such as experiential learning, creative engagement, and deliberative dialogues, the members of the Learning Community aim to co-create pathways for more inclusive and informed policy agendas, driving forward sustainable practices and biodiversity prioritisation across Europe.

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Learning Community Members

On board our Learning Community are distinguished individuals, who aspire to bring about better change for biodiversity prioritization. 

Methods

The Learning Community applies a variety of innovative research intervention methods aimed at fostering understanding and driving action on biodiversity. These methods include experiential learning games, such as the Biodiversity-Food-Governance Game, which allows participants to explore the complex relationships between food systems, governance, and biodiversity. Additionally, deliberative, creative, and arts-based methods are employed, including outdoor educational activities like Earth Walking and night hikes, combined with mindfulness practices to reflect on what role biodiversity plays for young people.

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Biodiversity-Food-Governance Game

"Playing the game made me realise how every decision we make, no matter how small, has a ripple effect on the environment and our community. It taught me that sustainable choices are about balance, and that leadership means thinking beyond immediate gains to protect our future." – Participant, PLANET4B Game

The PLANET4B Food-Governance Game is a dynamic, experiential, role-playing board game designed to immerse participants in the complexities of food production, consumption, and biodiversity governance. As part of the PLANET4B project, this intervention serves as a powerful tool for social learning, enabling players to step into the roles of farmers, consumers, and policymakers.

Navigating the Balance

Players navigate the delicate balance between economic gain and environmental stewardship, making critical decisions that impact both their livelihood and the state of biodiversity.

Reflecting for Deeper Learning

The reflection fosters deeper understanding, encouraging players to think about how the lessons learned can be applied to drive positive change in their communities and contribute to sustainable biodiversity management.

100+

Participants

12

Months Testing

10

Game Plays

1

Game without Biodiversity Loss

Watching participants reflect on their choices during the game, it's clear how powerful this experience can be. The game sparks a shift in perspective—people begin to see the interconnectedness of their decisions and the environment. It's more than just a simulation; it’s a catalyst for transformative thinking that could inspire real-world action on biodiversity and sustainability.

Mariana, Game Facilitator

News

The latest actions of the Learning Community

Want to get in touch?

Are you interested in joining the PLANET4B Learning Community? Or would you like to host a round of Biodiversity-Food-Governance Game? Let’s get in touch and talk.

Contact Person

Maryna Bykova
PLANET4B Researcher