INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING FOR NATURE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS: INVOLEN PROJECT

INVOLEN (Intergenerational Learning for Nature Conservation Volunteers) is an innovative project funded in the framework of Lifelong Learning Programme, promoting intergenerational learning through game-based learning and targeting nature conservation volunteers in 5 European countries: Italy, Greece, France, Hungary and Slovenia. The aim of the project is to develop and test a learning methodology and new tools to promote intergenerational learning, volunteering in nature protection and use of innovative learning technologies like location based games. Intergenerational Learning (IL) describes the way that people of all ages can learn together and from each other. Beyond the transfer of knowledge, IL fosters reciprocal learning relationships between different generations and helps to develop social capital and social cohesion in our ageing societies. Volunteering includes any non-remunerated and freely chosen activity exercised in general within non-profit organisations: association, NGO, trade union or public structure. The Involen model i. offers opportunities to senior citizens to become involved in voluntary activity for nature protection and preservation, thus improving their quality of life, self-esteem and self confidence, while improving their knowledge on a number of fields, including volunteering and IT, ii. encourages youngsters of secondary schools to become volunteers for nature protection, iii. improves the capacity of NGOs, schools and adult education institutions to deliver innovative adult education while enabling their staff, especially those involved in environmental education, to improve their qualifications and career prospects. Moreover, the role of Information and Communication Technologies is becoming even more important for all generations, so that Involen offers also a learning path for the target groups to develop jointly a Location Based Game in the selected protected area. The aim of this work is to present the methodology of the project and its ongoing implementation in a real context in Livorno (Italy). Since April 2013, the methodology has been tested by a focus group composed by students of the secondary school I level Teseo Tesei of the Istituto Comprensivo Micali of Livorno, teachers, ICT experts and elderly volunteers of associations that take part to the Eyes on the Hills project (partnership between local organizations and associations working for the protection and enhancement of Livorno Hills). The pilot phase was carried out on the Livorno Hills Provincial Park, a hilly area few kilometers far from the coast of Livorno, a real treasure for its unique environmental characteristics and for the presence of the magnificent aqueduct built by the architect Pasquale Poccianti in the nineteenth century. The first meetings coordinated by facilitators aimed to build a relationship between youngsters and elders, to highlight their abilities and involve everyone in the organization of the activities and the realization of the final products. Youngsters interviewed elders on the life and uses by people living in the protected area in the past. During a visit to the protected area, elders and experts described the environmental and historical characteristics and students collected pictures and videos. The focus group has been using all the collected materials to produce: oinformative panels showing rules of behavior respectful of nature. The panels, will be placed in the protected area; oa location-based game for iPhones to be played in the protected area. All the material produced during this experience will be made available on the project website.