About the project
About NATUREscapes
NATUREscapes is an Erasmus+ small-scale partnership in adult education (KA210-ADU), co-funded by the European Union through the Croatian National Agency AMPEU. It runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2028. The project explores how nature-based soundscapes can reduce digital fatigue and improve focus in adult learners.
3
partner organisations
2
countries
18
months
€60,000
Erasmus+ lump sum
The challenge
Adult learners and educators spend a growing share of learning time in front of screens. Digital fatigue makes it harder to stay focused, especially for older learners and learners with low digital skills.
Background
Attention Restoration Theory
Attention Restoration Theory, developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, describes how natural environments help people recover the ability to concentrate. Effortful, directed attention tires with use; natural stimuli hold attention gently (“soft fascination”) and give it time to recover. NATUREscapes applies this idea to short listening breaks in adult education.
GreenComp: embodying sustainability values
GreenComp, the European sustainability competence framework, describes 12 competences in four areas. NATUREscapes focuses on the first area, “Embodying sustainability values”: valuing sustainability, supporting fairness and promoting nature.
Research findings
Findings of The Digital State of Play will be published in December 2026.
The research includes a survey of 40 adult learners and focus groups with 10 adult educators in Croatia and Slovenia.
What we do
- Research digital fatigue with 40 adult learners and 10 educators in Croatia and Slovenia
- Write and peer-review an educator’s manual, “The Re-naturing Strategy”
- Record 12 nature soundscapes, 12 photo spheres and 6 immersive 360° videos, and publish a DIY field recording guide
- Develop a free, ad-free web app
- Pilot nature sound workshops in Čakovec and Ormož and publish a validation report
- Share the results through two multiplier events, social media, EPALE and two newsletters
Who it is for
- Adult learners, including older learners, rural learners and learners with low digital skills
- Adult educators and trainers
- Adult education organisations
Activities and timeline
| Activity | Lead partner | Period |
|---|---|---|
| A1 Project management | Udruga Kultivator | October 2026 – March 2028 |
| A2 Methodological framework: nature-based pedagogy | Ljudska univerza Ormož | October 2026 – March 2027 |
| A3 Nature-based multimedia library | Udruga Kultivator | February – October 2027 |
| A4 NATUREscapes Web App | Pučko otvoreno učilište Čakovec | August – December 2027 |
| A5 Piloting and validation | Ljudska univerza Ormož | December 2027 – March 2028 |
| A6 Dissemination and exploitation | Pučko otvoreno učilište Čakovec | October 2026 – March 2028 |
Partners
NATUREscapes brings together a cultural organisation and two adult education centres from Croatia and Slovenia.
Udruga Kultivator
Croatia · Coordinator
Coordinates the project and leads the nature-based multimedia library (A3).
Organisation description coming soon.
Pučko otvoreno učilište Čakovec
Croatia · Partner
Leads the web app (A4) and dissemination (A6).
Organisation description coming soon.
Ljudska univerza Ormož
Slovenia · Partner
Leads the research and educator’s manual (A2) and the piloting (A5).
Organisation description coming soon.
Sources
- Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
- Bianchi, G., Pisiotis, U., & Cabrera Giraldez, M. (2022). GreenComp: The European sustainability competence framework. Publications Office of the European Union. JRC website