Context & background Moving Sounds is a small social enterprise delivering arts and nature based educational work to co-create a more life affirming, equitable and sustainable world. At application, we were mid-way through a KA1 project which was enabling a significant shift in focus and motivation for Moving Sounds. Previously it had been challenging to create the capacity needed to work meaningfully at EU level. We were then prioritising continuing to work with Col.lectiu Eco-Actiu (CEA) to consolidate the relationship and build solid organisational foundations for significant scaling up at EU level. Objectives “Scaling Up Moving Sounds EU wide” aimed to enable Moving Sounds to consolidate its relationship with CEA so as to significantly increase our capacity to operate and to have an impact in various arenas from the local up to the EU level. Specifically we aimed at increasing: - Resources that support social and ecological wellbeing - Active citizenship around social justice and sustainability from the local up to the EU level. - engagement of communities and their cohesion. - Resources to share and collaborate with, and learn from others in Europe. - The availability of engaging nature based trainings - The quality of the trainings we provide - Our experience and capacity to run residential trainings. - Resources to meet needs of more diverse and disadvantaged learners - Ability to meet needs of learners based in countries other than the UK - Career development opportunities - Innovation, creativity, strategic planning and entrepreneurialism at organisational and trainer level. - Resources to create increased paid opportunities and employment for staff and volunteers - Learning of Spanish/Catalan - Participants' personal sensibilities of nature connection, passion for life and work, self-esteem and confidence Participants 21 trainers and educators took part in this year long project. They are all involved in community education that promotes active citizenship around social and sustainability themes. They all shared a strong commitment to professional development and a desire to build on their experience as educators. The participant group included several trainers who work on a voluntary basis and who face economic disadvantage. Activities Our staff travelled to Col.lectiu Eco-Actiu over the course of this one year project to participate in some of the trainings they offer on themes of nature-based practice, active citizenship and social empowerment, collaboration and arts-based engagement. The following trainings were attended: Empowering Renewal: skills and emotional resilience to support social and ecological renewal Permaculture Design Course: skills for sustainable livelihoods Permaculture, Nature Connection and Deep Ecology: practical and theoretical nature training Mindfulness for Social Change: empowering effective and nourishing social change Theatre of the Oppressed Training: theatrical tools for anti-oppression work Transformative Collaboration: empowering effective collaboration within groups Wild Camp: connecting with nature, self and other Creative Tools for Social Change: community empowerment through creative processes Meeting the Wild: nature connection for personal and social empowerment Results & impact Our key intentions to build working relationships with CEA and other European Organisations were very well achieved. The project accomplished a high level of impact, for Participants, the Participating Organisations and for the Target Groups we aimed to support and influence. The aims and objectives laid out at application stage were well achieved and in many cases exceeded our expectations. The project improved the quality of the outputs of all participating organisations and built and broadened networks and relationships, building European social capitol and awareness for all involved. The project impacted at multiple levels - local, regional, national and European. Long Term The culture shift in educational practices this project has had & the impact this is having on social and ecological renewal work across Europe is deeply motivating for us. Educational work which supports nature connection and social and ecological renewal, becoming far more learner-led, dynamic and supportive of diversity was developed and encouraged through this project. The creation of broad networks of educators strategically working to build arts, nature and social learning based practices into educational work across Europe was well achieved and we are inspired and enthusiastic to continue to develop work that is contributing to a fairer, increasingly sustainable and positive climate and world.