15 mobilities later, BioLiving is better able to educate adults

In the context of the Erasmus+ project "Training for Inclusion", coordinated by BioLiving Association, several collaborators of the team have had the opportunity to increase their training to educate adults, as well as create new international ties and contacts in different European destinations.

In this article, you can learn about the different experiences of the Association's collaborators through short testimonials.

Assisting Adults To Learn

Protaras, Cyprus

11-15 of april of 2022

"In April I was lucky enough to participate in a course on non-formal adult education in Cyprus with an Erasmus + grant from BioLiving. The course was very enriching and "out of the box", as it was mostly practical, applying the normative "learning by doing". I experienced first-hand several methodologies and dynamics that can be applied when carrying out educational activities with adults, allowing me to acquire several skills that will be very useful in the environmental education activities that I perform with BioLiving. In addition, I was able to learn about the culture and the huge archaeological and natural heritage of Cyprus. Thank you BioLiving for this wonderful experience!"

- Sara Ornelas

"In April this year, thanks to an Erasmus + course, my life gained another chapter. Through the KA1 mobility of the Bioliving Association, I had the enormous privilege of being able to put on my backpack and go on to discover new learning experiences. In Cyprus, a remarkable course on adult education and a group of participants from four different countries and cultural realities awaited me, which turned out to be essential in my professional, personal and intellectual enrichment process.

I brought with me a lot of theoretical knowledge about andragogy, as well as techniques and practical exercises focused on the 'Person Centred Approach', which translates the premise that each learner is a unique being, and, as such, the educational approach should be adjusted to the identity of each one. This is something that is not usually presented to us in formal education, and which I personally recognise to be extremely important.

Well, I have no doubt that this trip contributed to elevate my journey as an environmental educator in the Bioliving Association, but above all it contributed so that I could absorb and remember the greatness and diversity of the world and its people, in a country marked by rich historical, cultural and natural events. This chapter would not have been written without the Bioliving Association, so I leave my deep THANK YOU!"

- Mariana Cardoso

Intensive English Language Course

for Teachers and School Staff

Split, Croatia

28th of may to 6th of june of 2022

"Thanks to the Erasmus+ grant I had the opportunity to participate last June for the first time in an International Mobility for individual training, with which I had the possibility to strengthen my English language skills.

In the city of Split, Croatia, which I didn't know until then, I shared 10 days of training with a group of colleagues of various nationalities, which allowed the practice of the English language inside and outside the context of the course. I felt surprisingly at home and perfectly integrated throughout the whole time, both thanks to my course mates and to the local people, extremely friendly and welcoming.

I also had the opportunity to get to know part of the Croatian culture in terms of natural, built and gastronomic heritage, as it was also possible to visit the National Park of Plitviče Lakes, the island of Brač and the city of Zadar. The possibility of establishing a network of European professional contacts was also an added value of this experience.

I brought with me the certainty that this opportunity and international experience provided by BioLiving Association will allow me to perform my professional activity more easily. On a personal level, I overcame the challenge of travelling and spending a season abroad alone, for the first time, which increased my self-esteem. Once again I leave here my gratitude to BioLiving Association for this opportunity. I look forward for the next one!" - Élia Maricato

Sustainability in education –

Introducing green and eco-lifestyles

Split, Croatia

11th to 17th of june of 2022

"Thanks to the Erasmus + "Training for Inclusion" project, developed by BioLiving association, I had the opportunity to travel, learn and grow - as a professional - but mainly as a person. So, in June this year I headed to Split, Croatia, where I met friendly people and a beautiful city, rich in history and gastronomy.

For seven days, the course "Sustainability in education - introducing green and eco-lifestyles" gave me contact with colleagues of various nationalities and different cultural values. This multiculturalism manifested itself in different ways of being and teaching, which showed me how much this cultural dimension can influence the environment. During the lessons and field visits I learnt new concepts, whose application is now proving to be an added value in the capacity building of colleagues and technicians of the team. This course was a breath of fresh air in several aspects of my life, thank you very much to BioLiving! - Daniela Barbosa

"In the early summer of 2022, as part of the "Training for inclusion" project run by BioLiving Association, I was given the opportunity to join the course "Sustainability in education - introducing green and eco-lifestyles", in the city of Split, Croatia. As the course program was interesting, and the Croatian reality was a huge curiosity for me, it seemed like a perfect match. And indeed it was. The course itself was a good addition to my knowledge, because the teaching component was in line with what I'm doing both in this association and professionally. We talked about various themes that can be worked on in order to promote environmental sustainability. In addition to this component, we had the opportunity to interact with colleagues from other countries in various European quadrants, understanding a little more the reality of each one of them, exchanging some good practices that we are doing here. This opportunity was also enriching because of the learning about the historical surroundings and the different cultural contexts within the same country. Thanks to the course schedule I was also able to visit the various natural and cultural heritage sites in the Dalmatian region, not forgetting the excellent gastronomic heritage. It was a unique experience that I recommend to everyone who can have it. I leave here my greatest thanks to the BioLiving Association for constantly being a vehicle for new learning and experiences that enrich us, especially on a personal level, and that undoubtedly make us better."

- Luís Cunha

Project Management: From Theory to Practice

Prague, Czech Republic

25th of july to 5th of august of 2022

"In the summer of this year, I had the opportunity to attend a course in Prague, thanks to BioLiving Association's "Training for Inclusion" project, an Erasmus+ project that allows BioLiving collaborators to do structured training abroad.

The training I did focused on project management and was a great asset for me and for the work I do at BioLiving. Pedagogical projects, especially in adult education, have many specificities that need to be taken into account in the various stages of their development (from project planning, to implementation, management, evaluation and completion), if we want them to have a real impact on the community and beneficiaries with whom we work.

With this course it was possible for me to acquire some more theoretical knowledge on this topic but it was also possible to understand how the tools given could be used in practice. It was also very interesting to see how the experience of each course participant brings something different to the discussion but mainly how the cultural context is really a decisive factor in project management and the relationship of institutions with their partners and beneficiaries.

It was a very enriching experience both in terms of the knowledge acquired but also on a cultural level as Prague is a vibrant European city with many cultural opportunities to explore." - Sofia Jervis

Creativity in Teaching and Learning using ICT

Madrid, Spain

25th-29th of july of 2022

"At the end of July I decided to pack my bags and set off for a new adventure, a training in the area of adult education in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. I consider it an adventure, because teaching is an area out of my comfort zone, but as I think it is important to learn new things, even if they are apparently not directly linked to my area of work, I decided to embrace this opportunity and hit the road.

Throughout the course I learned many new concepts and got to know several softwares that I'm sure will be very useful in the future, especially in fauna observation workshops. These new tools make all the difference and turn a normal activity into a more didactic and participative one, improving the experience of the participants.

In a trip like this it is also important to mention the cultural part, which enriched my experience even more. For 5 days I stayed in Alcalá de Henares, a small town about 30 minutes away from Madrid. This city is very nice and with a lot of history, as it is one of the main academic cities in Spain. This course also allowed me to visit for the first time the Spanish capital, which is an incredible place, but here I highlight Museu do Prado, which so far has been the most beautiful art museum I have visited." - Daniel Santos

Integrated curriculum Teaching global skills

Helsinki, Finland

28th of august to 3rd of september of 2022

"It's not every day that we are selected to attend a KA1 course, from the Erasmus Programme, but that's exactly what BioLiving Association allowed, and I had the opportunity to travel to Helsinki for a fantastic course. I had the opportunity to attend a course that helped me grow and evolve as a professional, but also allowed a series of moments of sharing good practices, and the exchange of contacts for new partnerships. I bring with me a series of good practices that I am eager to share with the other members of the Association. Once again, I take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity given to me. Thank you BioLiving!" - Pedro Sá

"Between the end of August and the first days of September, thanks to the opportunity given by Bioliving Association, I travelled to Helsinki, Finland, to attend an Erasmus Programme KA1 course. Throughout the seven days of training, I had contact with different realities and totally innovative and interesting teaching and learning methodologies. The strategies and methods to promote autonomy, critical thinking and confidence, in various types of public, as well as quite peculiar methods of evaluation and optimization of activities, sessions and/or projects, was one of the main learnings. The connection to natural spaces, forests and their management, in an urban context, were other highlights of this training, allowing to draw many lessons and good examples that will certainly be an added value to the work being developed by Bioliving Association, as an NGO that so often faces difficulties and challenges, whether in the area of environmental consulting, forest management and environmental education".

- Ana Maria Pereira

Exploring Biodiversity and Ecology

Through the Lens of Creativity and Culture

Barcelona, Spain

12th-17th of september of 2022

"Travelling, learning, meeting new realities and knowing yourself: these are some of the most valuable experiences a person can have. In mid-September, I had the opportunity to fulfill them through a KA1 mobility from the Erasmus+ fund, from BioLiving Association.

I went to Barcelona with a carry-on and came back with an extensive baggage of knowledge about environmental education, learning theories and using creativity as a tool to learn about Nature. It was very valuable to meet professionals with decades of experience in teaching who offered knowledge, strategies and advice on the act of teaching, which I am sure will add a lot to my professional life.

I am sure that these activities and knowledge will be very useful not only for me, but also for all BioLiving colleagues with whom I will share what I have learned.

In addition, getting to know a city like Barcelona, so lively and full of culture, and coming into contact with people, customs, languages from all over the world was extremely important. This is an incredible city even from an environmental point of view; despite being a big city, it is full of green spaces and is completely cycleable, which should serve as an example for many of our cities. A huge thank you to the BioLiving Association, which not only provided me with this opportunity to learn inside the course, but also outside, about myself and about other realities around me." - Victoria Santos

"Thanks to BioLiving, I was lucky enough to go to Barcelona in September to participate in a KA1 mobility course of the Eramus+ programme and what an experience it was! I learned a lot about different teaching methods and how to develop activities for learning always taking into account its various components and their interactions but also various didactic activities related to nature. No doubt that everything I learned will be useful for me and for the colleagues of the association for the various activities that are carried out but also in my professional career! Another aspect that must be mentioned is the cultural experience. Barcelona is a very beautiful city, with stunning monuments and houses, great cultural diversity and with many cultural activities for all tastes! I recommend everyone who has the opportunity to take advantage of an experience like this!" - Francisco Vale

The mobilities took place in the framework of our Erasmus+ project "Training for Inclusion", which aims to train collaborators of BioLiving Association with pedagogical, inclusion, language and management skills, applied to the adult education context. In total, this project will enable 20 BioLiving collaborators to take part in training courses abroad.