The IT’S GREAT OUT THERE COALITION (IGOT) has confirmed details of eight grassroot initiatives that have been awarded #itsgreatoutthere grants of up to €5,000. Between them, the projects will deliver over 1300 days of outdoor activities in six different countries.
Launched in 2017 by the IGOT, its grants programme helps community-based projects which take new participants into the outdoors with a particular focus on younger and more diverse audiences. Each project supported by a grant uses IGOT’s OUTDOOR ACTIVITY DAYS (OAD) model.
OAD are targeted physical activity interventions in nature, designed to get people of all ages active – sustainably, inclusively and responsibly. They are aligned to the latest World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and are delivered by outdoor professionals, meeting a clear set of criteria.
By the end of 2022, the coalition had invested over €125,000 through #itsgreatoutthere grants, supporting 44 projects in ten countries, directly involving almost 6500 individuals.
IGOT received 37 applications for the latest round of grants and, after a thorough assessment of each project, a shortlist was presented to coalition members from which to select their preferred options.
The eight successful projects, from Hungary, France, Croatia, Austria, Ireland and the UK, range from orienteering and outdoor-based climate workshops to rock climbing and family adventures in nature. Details about the successful 2023 applicants can be found HERE.
Margo de Lange, secretary general of the It’s Great Out There Coalition, said, “Once again this year, it has been a really tough job to select the successful projects. There were some excellent applications from across Europe and I was grateful to our coalition members who helped identify the initiatives that will now receive funding.
“We’re really looking forward to receiving updates from each grant recipient and hearing about the positive impacts of their work. Crucially, we also hope that their stories will inspire even more people to explore the outdoors.”
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