Nature Intelligence (NQ)
Organisations
Netherlands
Anatta Foundation
The Anatta Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that focuses on a better connection between people and nature to create more psychological well-being, to get more respect for nature and to work on a ‘sustainable mindset’. We are inspired by ideas from Positive Psychology and various nature-based approaches. In Erasmus+ the foundation enjoys working with young people with a disability and other vulnerable youth groups. The foundation is the lead partner in this Erasmus+ project.
Thomas Albers
Thomas works as the international project manager for the Anatta Foundation in the Netherlands where he is the coordinator of this EU funded project on Nature Intelligence. He is passionate about environmental and positive psychology and seeks to combine both research fields in his work and studies. For the Anatta Foundation he delivers trainings for professionals on the promotions of wellbeing and people-nature connections. Thomas holds a PhD in social and environmental psychology.
Agnes van den Berg
Agnes is an enviromental psychologist specialized in research on nature experience and health benefits of nature and is a pioneering and leading researcher in this field. From 2012 to 20222 she held a professorship in the Perception and Evaluation of Nature and Landscape at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. Agnes is also the owner of her privately owned research company Nature for People. Through this company she participates in applied projects aimed at the translation of theoretical insights into practical guidelines for planners, policy makers, and designers. For the Erasmus+ project focused on youth work she collaborated with the Anatta foundation.
Italy
Kamaleonte
Since 2004 we promote group nature-based programs addressed to young people. Through experiential learning outdoor activities, we involve them in challenging and adventurous activities in nature during which they are involved at a physical, emotional, sensorial and cognitive level with the aim of increasing awareness about themselves, the others and the context around them. The intention of our programs is to further explore the connection between nature and the inner world of young people, as an important means to discover their nature in the nature. By doing this they strengthen their strengths, gain self-confidence, grow a sense of self-worth and nurture their sensitivity and appreciation towards nature. We are among the founder members of the informal network “International Academy of Experiential Education”, that has been researching on experiential learning as an innovative and holistic methodology for personal and professional. We are also among the founder members of the Adventure Therapy network in Europe, aiming at supporting young people in finding more effective coping mechanisms and discovering and unleashing their potential.
Angelica Paci
Experiential learning trainer and facilitator with a special focus on reflective practices, Angelica has a passion for nature in all its facets. In Kamaleonte she oversees the International projects and networking. Over the years she has been exploring the topics of inclusive leadership, multiple intelligences, and emotional intelligence. She believes that the group is a resource for learning and that diversity is a value that enriches people and the context in which they live, learn and work. This is why Otto Scharmer’s “Theory U” and Arawana Hayashi’s social presenting theatre are inspirational to her practices.
Mario D’Agostino
Professional educator and expert in nonformal education and experiential learning trainer, Mario has always been active in the field of youth work by serving for five years the “Advisory Council” as vice president. He facilitates participation process, community work, intercultural communication and learning and has a personal passion for mountain hikes. He is currently the president of Kamaleonte and process individual growth and group dynamics through experience and reflective practices.
Czechia
Čia Čekija – Natural Spirit
Since 2004 we work with young people with difficult socio-economic backgrounds, with the aim to support them in finding their place in the world, developing needed competencies. Since 2013 we also focus on youth-workers, social workers, teachers, and guides. We teach mainly through community and nature-based methods, in cooperation with the Natural Spirit platform. We learn from old teachings from different cultures all over the world, looking for the universal essence and developing around it methods, techniques and activities, which are accessible and useful in present-day society.
Helena Kosková
Trainer, therapist, nature guide and facilitator of rituals and community/group processes. Gardening apprentice. You can often find her walking, exploring diverse forms of pilgrimage or sitting with others in circle, listening to stories and collective wisdom.
Honza Látal
Trainer, facilitator, ritual designer, and nature guide from South Bohemia. Interested in religions, cultures, archaeology, astronomy, and experimental music. His specialty is connecting nature, art, and spirituality in learning.
Slovenia
Ambitia Institute
In our work, we always strive to encourage young people to develop and cultivate their own innovative ideas and their own skills and competencies. We encourage young people to learn in a cohesive way with an emphasis on sustainable values. Learning is not just the domain of youth, so we also devote a lot of time to our own learning of new learning approaches and methods, so that we can improve the learning environment and learning experience of participants in all our programs. We use the curiosity and creativity of young people to individualize their learning experience.
Karmen Murn
Karmen Murn is a longtime youth educator and trainer. She has dedicated her professional work to understanding the learning process, researching, and developing new learning methods. She spends her free time taking long hikes in nature, gardening and reading books.
Darjan Bunta
Darjan Bunta is creative and passionate graphic designer and educator. His knowledge is mostly oriented in the creativity and entrepreneurship of young people with focus on project management and practical use of social media and form/design. His major values are flexibility and sustainability.
Antonio Britvar
Antonio Britvar is a young educator, international youth leader and multimedia engineer focused on international web, graphic design, and user experience design projects. His latest work involves creating multimedia content for elementary and high school curriculums as well as designing and co-leading youth festival and educational programs. Analogue by birth and digital by design, he is an avid tech, science fiction and language aficionado.
Netherlands
IVN Environmental education
IVN Environmental education is committed to connect people and nature. Our aim is to let people of all ages experience how fun, healthy, and important nature is. Providing people with impactful nature experiences is an important aspect of our vision. We hope to raise consciousness about nature to achieve behavioural change towards nature. We believe education is key to preserve and protect nature. We do this together with our 160 professionals, 26 000 members and 170 volunteer departments by organizing nature activities, courses, projects, and campaigns.
Joris Buis
Project leader Youth. Joris manages the national youth programmes at IVN (ages 12 – 30 years). He has a background in forest ecology and has 10 years of experience in teaching university students about nature related topics.
Kim de Rijk
Trainer and educator. She designs educational programs and materials. Has a background in education of nature and sustainability. Working together with volunteers to reach more people to inspire by nature.