Forum
ECOCOWALA: Connecting Ecology, Community, Water & Land
A transformative learning journey empowering youth through experiential education, critical reflection, and collaborative action to become stewards of our natural world. Our holistic approach integrates knowledge with practice, fostering deep ecological consciousness and sustainable solutions.
Welcome to ECOCOWALA
Ecology
Fostering transformative learning through immersive experiences that challenge existing perspectives, promoting critical reflection on ecological systems and our interdependent relationship with nature
Community
Creating democratic learning environments where diverse voices collectively examine assumptions about environmental responsibility, leading to perspective transformation and emancipatory knowledge
Water
Engaging learners in praxis-oriented inquiry into water conservation challenges, where critical questioning and reflective action empower participants to develop sustainable solutions
Land
Facilitating disorienting dilemmas through experiential fieldwork that bridges theory and practice, catalyzing paradigm shifts in how participants understand and advocate for biodiversity protection and equitable land stewardship
What is ECOCOWALA?
Innovative Learning Methods
Pioneering experiential education that bridges water ecosystem knowledge with land stewardship through immersive field experiences and structured critical reflection, fostering deep ecological understanding
Inclusive Participation
Empowering youth and communities to become environmental stewards through participatory learning experiences that rebuild vital connections between people and their local water-land ecosystems
Collaborative Action
Cultivating cross-cultural dialogue and collective problem-solving that addresses the critical relationships between river health, soil vitality, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management
Erasmus+ Partnership
A groundbreaking EU-funded initiative uniting environmental educators from 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇮🇹 Italy, and 🇵🇹 Portugal to develop adaptable methodologies that strengthen the ecological bond between water resources and land systems
Our Aims
Transform
Convert ecological knowledge into critical consciousness and meaningful community action
Connect
Bridge formal learning with experiential engagement in pressing ecological challenges
Inspire
Cultivate biophilia through immersive experiences that deepen emotional bonds with nature
Empower
Develop youth agency through participatory methods and authentic ecological problem-solving
Who is it for?
Youth (ages 12–30)
Young change-makers engaged in critical thinking and ecological awareness who thrive through experiential learning and collaborative action. Ideal for those developing transformative skills while building cross-cultural connections with peers throughout Europe's diverse ecosystems.
Educators & Youth Workers
Facilitators committed to participatory learning methodologies that challenge conventional environmental narratives. Perfect for practitioners who foster reflection-action cycles, cultivate ecological consciousness, and empower learners to become agents of sustainable change.
Organizations & Communities
Collectives and institutions embracing systemic approaches to ecological challenges through dialogue and collective action. Suited for groups seeking to integrate transformative pedagogies that bridge theory with practice while nurturing deep community connections to local environments.
What We Offer
Comprehensive Handbook
A transformative resource that integrates theory with practice, fostering critical thinking about environmental systems while empowering educators to facilitate meaningful change in their communities.
Practical Activities
Participatory learning experiences that challenge assumptions, promote dialogue, and inspire collective action through hands-on engagement with real ecological challenges and solutions.
Impact Measurement
Holistic evaluation frameworks that capture not only environmental outcomes but also personal transformation, social learning, and community empowerment dimensions of educational initiatives.
Success Stories
Authentic narratives of perspective transformation from across Europe, documenting how critical reflection led to renewed environmental consciousness and sustained community-based action.
Our Partners
Naturfreunde Steiermark
Our Austrian lead partner revolutionizes outdoor education through immersive experiences that prompt deep reflection on human-nature relationships. Their innovative participatory methodology blends critical thinking with hands-on action, enabling participants to develop as confident ecological leaders capable of driving meaningful environmental change across European boundaries.
Gruppo Italiano Amici della Natura
Our Italian partner masterfully weaves together traditional ecological wisdom and modern scientific approaches in their watershed conservation programs. Their distinctive transformative storytelling techniques bridge cultural heritage with contemporary environmental challenges, inspiring participants to envision and implement innovative solutions for sustainable water systems that will benefit generations to come.
Cabeco Santo Association
Our Portuguese partner excels in grassroots ecological restoration that strengthens biodiversity while honoring local heritage. Their transformative framework integrates cultural identity with environmental responsibility, creating powerful spaces for cross-generational learning and collective action that builds both resilient landscapes and resilient communities in the face of climate challenges.
Why ECOCOWALA Matters
Knowledge
Cultivating critical ecological literacy through experiential learning and systems thinking
Connection
Nurturing deep emotional relationships with nature that inspire personal transformation
Community
Building collaborative networks that empower collective environmental problem-solving
Action
Facilitating meaningful participation in ecological restoration and social change
In our era of unprecedented environmental challenges, ECOCOWALA transcends traditional education by integrating reflection, dialogue, and praxis. We create transformative learning spaces where participants critically examine their relationships with the natural world, challenge existing paradigms, and develop the capacity to become catalysts for sustainable change across European communities.
Meet Our Team
Christian Facchetti
Italy
Adamo Irma
Italy
Stella Palomba
Italy
Italo Bigioli
Italy
Pietro Zanotti
Italy
Stefano Ferrari
Italy
Denise Nardillo
Italy
Lorenzo Zamboli
Italy
Jorge Morais
Portugal
Pedro Morais
Portugal
Mathieu dos Santos
Portugal
Victoria Garbayo
Portugal
Joana Barreira
Portugal
Lisa Marschner
Austria
Karin Dietrich
Austria
Pedro Pereira
Austria
Annemarie Walter
Austria
Petra Ehgartner
Austria
Our diverse team brings together expertise in ecology, education, community building, and sustainable development—all united by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and transformative learning.
Download Your Digital Book
About This Digital Edition
Our professionally formatted ebook provides an enhanced reading experience with adjustable fonts, bookmarking capabilities, and cross-device synchronization.
  • Multiple file formats (PDF, EPUB, MOBI)
  • Optimized for all screen sizes
  • Includes interactive table of contents
  • Digital rights management free
How to Download
  1. Click the download button below
  1. Select your preferred format
  1. Save the file to your device
System Requirements
Compatible with all major e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and computers. Requires a PDF reader or e-reader application.
Ready to start reading? Download your copy now and enjoy instant access to this publication wherever you go.
Connect With Us Digitally
Explore our digital ecosystem and stay connected with ECOCOWALA through various platforms.
Photo Gallery
Browse our collection of high-resolution images showcasing ecological projects, community events, and watershed restoration efforts.
Instagram
Follow our visual journey on Instagram for daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and environmental inspiration.
Podcast Series
Listen to our "Voices of ECOCOWALA" podcast featuring conversations with environmental experts, community leaders, and changemakers.
Click on any of the buttons above to access our digital content and join our growing community of ecological advocates.
Explore Our Photo Gallery
Immerse yourself in ECOCOWALA's visual journey through our ecological initiatives and community impact.
Reach Out
For any inquiries or to join our community, please reach out to us through the following email option:
General Inquiries
For general information about ECOCOWALA, our programs, or upcoming events, please email us at info@ecocowala.eu
We value your interest in ECOCOWALA and look forward to connecting with you!
Imprint
Media Owner, Publisher and Website Operator Naturfreunde Steiermark Defreggergasse 9 8010 Graz Austria
Represented by: Dr. Jürgen Dumpelnik
Contact: Phone: +43 316 773714 Email: mail@naturfreunde-stmk.at
Legal Form: Association (Non-Profit Organisation)
Competent Supervisory Authority: State Police Directorate of Styria
Responsible for Content according to § 25(2) Austrian Media Act
Dr. Jürgen Dumpelnik Naturfreunde Steiermark Defreggergasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
Disclaimer
The content of this website has been created with the greatest care and is updated regularly. However, we assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. We accept no responsibility for the content of external links; the operators of the linked pages are solely responsible for their content.
Copyright
All content on this website (texts, images, graphics) is protected by copyright unless otherwise stated. Any use, reproduction, or distribution requires prior written permission from the rights holders.
EU Funding Acknowledgement
This project has received funding from the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 2023-3-AT01-KA210-YOU-000170251. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Erasmus+ National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the National Agency can be held responsible for them.