Inspired by Nature: From Little Steps to a Shared Future

As the effects of the climate crisis become increasingly visible, teaching children sustainable living practices from an early age is no longer optional—it is essential. Our Erasmus+ project “Little Steps Big Future” was born from this awareness. As a small kindergarten with limited financial resources in Denizli, Türkiye, we transformed our school garden into a living learning space using mostly recycled and natural materials. Plastic bottles, old wooden pallets, unused buckets, and materials collected from nature were repurposed into permaculture gardens, composting areas, and open-air classrooms—crafted by the hands of our children and teachers.

But we aimed for more than just observing nature—we learned to live and grow with it. Through our permaculture-based compost system, children witness the transformation of organic waste and understand how soil is regenerated. These hands-on experiences blend environmental awareness with playful learning, offering a deeply engaging educational model.

Our project extended far beyond our schoolyard. Through our Erasmus+ KA210-SCH project (2024-2-SE01-KA210-SCH-000279006), we collaborated with partners from Sweden, Italy, Spain, Romania, Slovenia and Türkiye. During each LTT mobility, every country brought local seeds, and approximately 30 trees were planted per country as part of a shared memorial forest initiative. Together, we implemented our Life Terra actions across Europe—planting not only trees, but hope for a sustainable future.

In parallel, we conducted an eTwinning project with 19 partners. The collaborative works and learning outcomes have been shared widely through the eTwinning TwinSpace platform, ensuring visibility and long-term impact. Our school designed inclusive learning spaces specifically for autistic and refugee children, showing that sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about equity, empathy, and belonging.

This journey that began with little steps has shown us—and our students—that it is possible to raise individuals who think, create, and act in harmony with nature.