Sometimes the best thing we can do for our minds is to step into the forest and slow down.

In February 2026, Aurora Network took part in the Erasmus+ youth exchange Nature for Mental Health, organised by Outward Bound Croatia at its educational centre in Veliki Žitnik, Lika, Croatia. From 2–8 February, young people from different countries spent a week in the forest, exploring how nature can support mental health and well-being.

What the week was about

Set in a rural mountain area surrounded by forest — an ideal place for calm, connection, and learning — the exchange combined reflection with hands-on experience. Together, participants:

• Explored themes of mental health and well-being
• Took part in outdoor activities and experiential learning in nature
• Focused on personal development, self-reflection, and social skills
• Worked as a team and shared across cultures
• Enjoyed a digital detox — no Wi-Fi, and more time for themselves and for nature

Who took part

The exchange brought together five young people (aged 18–30) and a team leader from each partner country, with priority given to young people with fewer opportunities.

Funding

The project was funded by the Erasmus+ Programme. Accommodation and food were fully covered, and travel costs reimbursed according to Erasmus+ rules, with sustainable travel — train, bus, or carpooling — warmly encouraged.

We came back rested, reconnected, and reminded that caring for young people’s mental health can start with time spent in nature.