Go Clean, Get Green: Erasmus+ CREATE Students Explore Nature Sustainably Across Europe
As part of the Erasmus+ CREATE – Care, React, Engage, and Act Tenaciously for a Healthy World project, students from six partner countries took part in outdoor activities designed to promote sustainable mobility, environmental awareness, and healthy lifestyles. Through cycling trips, hikes, nature exploration, and orienteering, students discovered the beauty of their local surroundings while learning how everyday choices can help protect the environment.
Italy – Orienteering and Nature Photography
Students from ITET Lenoci-Euclide visited Ecopoli Park (La Montagnola) in Bari, where they took part in an introduction to orienteering, a sport that combines navigation and outdoor exploration. Guided by a specialist, students learned how to use orientation maps and completed an orienteering course on foot. Walking to the park instead of travelling by car reinforced the importance of sustainable transport and healthy habits. After the activity, students photographed the natural landscape to document the local environment.
Lithuania – Educational Cycling Trip
Students from Kulautuva Basic School cycled from their school to Vilkija as part of the Erasmus+ project activities. Travelling by bicycle encouraged environmentally friendly mobility while allowing students to experience nature in an active and sustainable way.
Romania – Cycling Tour and Riverside Environmental Activities
Students from Hám János Roman Catholic High School participated in the Go Clean, Get Green cycling tour along the route Hám János High School – Vetiș – the Romanian-Hungarian border – return, including ecological activities on the banks of the Someș River. Covering more than 30 kilometres by bicycle, students promoted cycling as a cleaner alternative to motorised transport while raising awareness of environmental protection.
Czech Republic – Cycling and Environmental Discovery
Students from GJP and SOŠ Slavičín explored the Czech countryside during an educational cycling trip. Along the route they visited a wildlife rescue centre for endangered animals, a historic windmill, and a medieval castle, learning about both nature conservation and local cultural heritage. The activity demonstrated how sustainable travel can combine environmental education with cultural discovery.
Slovakia – Eco-Hike and Environmental Observation
Students took part in an eco-hike to the Hradová Observation Tower near Košice. During the walk they observed how people care for—or neglect—the natural environment. At the summit, students enjoyed panoramic views of the city, while also visiting the replica of a medieval village and the ruins of Košice Castle. Experiencing the cooler, cleaner forest environment reinforced the value of preserving green spaces.
Spain – Cycling and Hiking along the Ojos Negros Greenway
Students enjoyed a three-day outdoor adventure along the Ojos Negros Greenway. They cycled from Barracas to Navajas, spent the night in a local hostel, and the following day completed a hiking route through the surrounding natural landscapes. The activity promoted sustainable mobility, teamwork, healthy lifestyles, and respect for nature while allowing students to experience one of Spain’s most beautiful greenways.
Although the activities differed from country to country, they all shared common objectives. Students discovered the benefits of travelling by bicycle or on foot, explored natural and cultural heritage, and reflected on the importance of protecting the environment. Throughout the project, participants photographed landscapes, wildlife, and local natural sites. They also documented places where the environment had been heavily damaged by human activity, capturing the negative impact of pollution, littering, and other unsustainable practices.
Each partner contributed 30 photographs to the International Erasmus+ CREATE “Endangered Areas” Exhibition, which opened at the schools and was subsequently displayed in public venues including the County Library of Satu Mare, the Kulautuva Library, the Hotel Štadión in Košice, and other locations of local interest. The travelling exhibition encouraged visitors to reflect on the impact of human activity on the environment and promoted a shared message: keep our environment clean, protect nature, and remember that every small action contributes to a healthier future for our planet
The overall aim of the Go Clean, Get Green activities was to raise students’ awareness of the importance of a clean and healthy environment, encourage them to choose less polluting ways of enjoying nature through sustainable mobility, and inspire positive action for a greener and more sustainable future.
