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Cultural Connection was a partner in the international training course Elf Eyes, dedicated to naturalistic knowledge in the digital age. The course was carried out under the Erasmus+ programme (KA153, mobility of youth workers) and took place from 15 to 21 September 2026 in Cañamero, in the province of Cáceres, Spain.
Cultural Connection was a partner in the international training course Elf Eyes, dedicated to naturalistic knowledge in the digital age. The course was carried out under the Erasmus+ programme (KA153, mobility of youth workers) and took place from 15 to 21 September 2026 in Cañamero, in the province of Cáceres, Spain.
The course was organised by the Spanish organisation Espacio Ládano. It brought together youth workers, youth leaders, trainers and educators from Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Egypt. North Macedonia was represented by Cultural Connection’s two participants, Matea and Eleni.
The course was organised by the Spanish organisation Espacio Ládano. It brought together youth workers, youth leaders, trainers and educators from Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Egypt. North Macedonia was represented by Cultural Connection’s two participants, Matea and Eleni.
🌿 “To those who look but do not see, the land is nothing more than land”
🌿 “To those who look but do not see, the land is nothing more than land”
The course was inspired by these words of the Argentine singer and author Atahualpa Yupanqui. They describe what we now call “extinction of experience” or “plant blindness.” Our societies are increasingly losing direct contact with nature. We are becoming blind to its cycles, and as a result we know less and care less about biodiversity and pressing ecological problems.
The course was inspired by these words of the Argentine singer and author Atahualpa Yupanqui. They describe what we now call “extinction of experience” or “plant blindness.” Our societies are increasingly losing direct contact with nature. We are becoming blind to its cycles, and as a result we know less and care less about biodiversity and pressing ecological problems.
Elf Eyes was a response to exactly this. The aim was to awaken our innate naturalistic intelligence and to discover how we, as youth workers, can be part of positive change by bringing the intricate wild world closer to young people in our communities.
Elf Eyes was a response to exactly this. The aim was to awaken our innate naturalistic intelligence and to discover how we, as youth workers, can be part of positive change by bringing the intricate wild world closer to young people in our communities.
🎯 Course objectives
🎯 Course objectives
To explore the relationship between nature, natural resources and human needs such as food, health, well-being and textiles, with a focus on sustainable use and the planet’s limits.
To explore the relationship between nature, natural resources and human needs such as food, health, well-being and textiles, with a focus on sustainable use and the planet’s limits.
To deepen our connection with nature and our understanding of our interdependence with it.
To deepen our connection with nature and our understanding of our interdependence with it.
To recognise human impact on nature and explore positive actions to reduce harm and restore balance.
To recognise human impact on nature and explore positive actions to reduce harm and restore balance.
To create a space for learning and critical thinking where youth workers can recognise the intrinsic value of nature and feel empowered to share it within their organisations.
To create a space for learning and critical thinking where youth workers can recognise the intrinsic value of nature and feel empowered to share it within their organisations.
To introduce artistic and digital tools for studying, documenting and communicating knowledge about the natural world.
To introduce artistic and digital tools for studying, documenting and communicating knowledge about the natural world.
🔍 One week, many new perspectives
🔍 One week, many new perspectives
Through non-formal education and experiential learning, the participants took part in a rich programme:
Through non-formal education and experiential learning, the participants took part in a rich programme:
Developing an eye for nature: learning how to truly see rather than just look.
Developing an eye for nature: learning how to truly see rather than just look.
Citizen science: getting to know projects through which anyone can contribute to scientific research.
Citizen science: getting to know projects through which anyone can contribute to scientific research.
The origins of everyday objects: researching where the things we use every day come from and how much they depend on nature.
The origins of everyday objects: researching where the things we use every day come from and how much they depend on nature.
Urban biodiversity: observing the life that thrives in urban environments too.
Urban biodiversity: observing the life that thrives in urban environments too.
Local exhibition: presenting jointly developed dissemination projects through art, creativity and digital tools.
Local exhibition: presenting jointly developed dissemination projects through art, creativity and digital tools.
🌍 What our participants took home
🌍 What our participants took home
Matea and Eleni returned with practical, artistic and digital tools they can apply directly in their work with young people. They also brought back a renewed sense of connection with nature, along with friendships and partnerships with colleagues from eight countries. This knowledge does not stay in Cañamero. It keeps growing in our local communities.
Matea and Eleni returned with practical, artistic and digital tools they can apply directly in their work with young people. They also brought back a renewed sense of connection with nature, along with friendships and partnerships with colleagues from eight countries. This knowledge does not stay in Cañamero. It keeps growing in our local communities.
This is fully in line with Cultural Connection’s vision and with the European Youth Goals, especially Goal #10, “Sustainable Green Europe.”
This is fully in line with Cultural Connection’s vision and with the European Youth Goals, especially Goal #10, “Sustainable Green Europe.”
We thank Espacio Ládano for their hospitality and excellent organisation, as well as all the partner organisations. Above all, we thank Matea and Eleni, who represented North Macedonia with pride. See you on the next adventure! 🌱
We thank Espacio Ládano for their hospitality and excellent organisation, as well as all the partner organisations. Above all, we thank Matea and Eleni, who represented North Macedonia with pride. See you on the next adventure! 🌱
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