In the latest round of #itsgreatoutthere grants, initiatives in four countries will each receive up to €5,000 to help them introduce new participants to a wide range of activities in nature.

Youth Adventure Trust helps youngsters to explore the outdoors

Launched in 2017 by the It’s Great Out There Coalition, the #itsgreatoutthere grants programme helps community based projects, which take new participants into the outdoors, with a particular focus on younger and more diverse audiences. The coalition has already supported 36 grass roots projects in eight countries, directly introducing 6,799 individuals to the outdoors. Any non-profit organisation with a suitable project can apply for an #itsgreatoutthere grant.

Since 2021, grants have been used to deliver Outdoor Activity Days (OAD), which are targeted physical activity interventions in nature, designed to get citizens active, sustainably, inclusively and responsibly. OAD are aligned to the latest World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and are delivered by outdoor professionals, and meeting a clear set of criteria.

A We Go Outside Too event

The #itsgreatoutthere grants awarded ahead of summer 2022 will deliver almost 800 OAD in Croatia, Greece, Latvia and the UK. Applications were reviewed against key criteria and shortlisted by an independent selection committee. It’s Great Out There Coalition members were then given the opportunity to rate the projects and the projects that achieved the highest combined score from the selection committee and members have been allocated #itsgreatoutthere grant funding.

The six projects that have been awarded grants are:

• Climbing To The Top (by Yoga and Sport with Refugees, Greece)
• Explore Day (by Youth Adventure Trust, United Kingdom)
• Nordic Walking Retreat in Pokaini Forest (by Latvian Sport For All Association, Latvia)
• Out of the Box festival (by We Go Outside Too, United Kingdom)
• Wild Camping Expedition (by The Wanderlust Women, United Kingdom)
• Youth Hiking School (by Zadar Mountain Guides Association, Croatia).

Zadar Mountain Guides Association - Youth Hiking School - youngsters learn about orienteering

Margo de Lange, policy officer at the It’s Great Out There Coalition, comments: “We received some strong applications this year and I am grateful for the input of our members and the independent selection committee, who have helped us choose the six successful recipients. It’s really good news that we are able to support projects with funding in three new countries, and some very diverse initiatives. We’re excited to find out how the latest #itsgreatoutthere grants make a difference and introduce more citizens to outdoor activities for the first time. We are sure that every project will help to continue our successful tradition of inspiring thousands of new participants around Europe.”

For more information about the #itsgreatoutthere grants programme, visit www.itsgreatoutthere.com/grants.