 As part of the final phase of the GreenAdvisor project, GeoCamp Iceland hosted two multiplier events that brought together project managers, educators, and sustainability-minded organisations from across the education sector. Held in the spirit of collaboration and curiosity, these sessions offered a hands-on introduction to a set of tools designed to make Erasmus+ projects more environmentally responsible — and more aligned with Europe’s green ambitions. At the heart of the GreenAdvisor project lies a simple but powerful idea: sustainability should not sit on the margins of project management. It should be woven into every step — from the first idea to the final report. To make this possible, partners across Europe joined forces to develop user-friendly, practical tools that help organisations understand their environmental impact and make greener decisions without unnecessary complexity. During the Icelandic multiplier events, participants explored the project’s three main outputs:
Across both events, the atmosphere was open, forward-looking, and grounded in real-world experience. Participants tested each tool, challenged assumptions, and offered honest feedback. The discussions made one thing clear: sustainability in Erasmus+ is no longer a nice add-on — it is becoming an essential part of quality, responsibility, and innovation in European cooperation. These multiplier events also reaffirmed the role of GeoCamp Iceland as an active contributor to greener educational mobility. By bringing people together in Reykjanes to explore practical solutions, the events connected Iceland’s local expertise with broader European efforts to support environmentally conscious project work. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us. Your enthusiasm, insight, and willingness to try new approaches help move the sector forward. Together, we are strengthening the foundation for greener, smarter, and more responsible Erasmus+ initiatives — one decision at a time.  In October, representatives from GeoCamp Iceland took part in the YouthTrails Academy for Ecotourism in Athens and Hopeland, Greece — a three-day transnational workshop bringing together partners from across Europe to explore new ways of engaging young people in sustainable tourism and environmental education. The Academy formed part of the Erasmus+ YouthTrails project, which aims to strengthen youth participation in sustainable tourism through education, creativity, and cross-sectoral cooperation. The project, coordinated by Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, runs from 2024 to 2027 and involves partners from Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, and Italy. GeoCamp Iceland, as the service provider of educational development and outreach for the geopark, plays an active role in the project’s implementation — developing educational modules, field activities, and learning tools that connect geoscience, culture, and sustainability. Hands-on Learning The YouthTrails Academy in Greece brought together all partner organisations for a combination of workshops, presentations, and field visits. Representing Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, Sigrún Svafa Ólafsdóttir, Project Manager for Educational Outreach at GeoCamp Iceland, and Arnbjörn Ólafsson, Managing Director of GeoCamp Iceland and board member of the Geopark, contributed actively throughout the event. On the opening day, Reykjanes Geopark led the module Ecotourism Fundamentals and Sustainability Principles, developed by GeoCamp Iceland. The session introduced interactive learning activities such as Biodiversity Bingo and the Carbon Footprint Travel Challenge, both designed to help youth workers teach sustainability through experience and reflection. “We wanted to show how simple, creative methods can inspire young people to understand their connection to the environment,” said Sigrún. The day also featured modules by partners Adamastor and SMARTUP, focusing on innovative ecotourism models and digital communication tools, rounding out a rich exchange of methods and ideas for non-formal education in sustainability. Field-Based Inspiration in Hopeland The second day of the Academy was spent in Hopeland, an educational eco-community near Argos, where participants learned about regenerative living, permaculture, and rural development. The group explored how local initiatives combine ecological awareness with social innovation and community empowerment — principles closely aligned with GeoCamp Iceland’s own approach to outdoor learning in the Reykjanes Peninsula. The groups also visited The Little Owl, a local eco-entrepreneurship initiative linking agriculture, education, and tourism. The experience reinforced the project’s emphasis on connecting people to place through authentic experiences. Mapping the Future of Ecotourism Education The final day focused on refining training materials and planning the next phase of YouthTrails. Partners MaMa (Slovenia) and Polygonal (Italy) presented modules on educational programme development and funding strategies, while Hopeland and SMARTUP led a creative workshop on Youth Ecotourism Maps. These maps, to be co-created by young people in each partner region, will combine digital storytelling, visual design, and environmental data to highlight sustainable destinations and youth-led ecotourism initiatives. The partners also piloted the Green Advisor Tool to evaluate the environmental impact of their own meeting, demonstrating the project’s commitment to modelling the practices it teaches. Looking ahead, GeoCamp Iceland and Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark will continue developing educational materials, lesson plans, and digital content that promote ecotourism as a bridge between youth learning, community development, and sustainability. About the Project YouthTrails (2024–2027) is an Erasmus+ cooperation partnership focused on youth engagement, ecotourism, and sustainability. The project is led by Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark with the focus on developing a Youth Ecotourism Label (YEL!), a training toolbox for youth workers, and interactive ecotourism maps co-created by young people across Europe.  GeoCamp Iceland, coordinates the Erasmus+ supported Green Advisor project a collaborative initiative focused on developing practical tools for greener, more responsible project coordination across Europe. So what have we been building? Over the past couple of years, our consortium consisting of partners from Iceland, Spain, Finland, Italy and Türkiye, has worked together to design digital tools that support sustainability in everyday project management. The tools are now live and freely accessible to anyone working in EU-funded initiatives or beyond. Two key tools are now available online:
Explore both tools here: greenadvisor.gazi.edu.tr Why does it matter? For anyone coordinating Erasmus+ projects—or indeed any EU-funded activity—these tools offer a hands-on approach to integrating sustainability goals into planning, implementation, and evaluation. They are designed to meet the real-life needs of project teams, helping to align our everyday decisions with the broader ambitions of the European Green Deal and Erasmus+ environmental priorities. At GeoCamp Iceland, we’ve already begun using these tools internally and will continue to share insights from our experience as part of our wider commitment to climate-conscious education and project design. Have you tested them yet? We’d love to hear how they work for you—your feedback will help us shape the next phase of Green Advisor.  On the 8th and 9th of May 2025, the Green Advisor partnership gathered in the vibrant city of Reus, Catalonia, for our final Transnational Project Meeting. Hosted by DomSpain at the inspiring Espai Boule, this final encounter brought together all project partners to consolidate results, review our outputs, and discuss the long-term legacy of the project. Over two energising days, we reflected on our joint achievements and fine-tuned the final elements of the Green Advisor Toolkit—a unique set of open educational resources designed to support more environmentally responsible and digitally literate adult education practices across Europe. Key results showcased in Reus included: Environmental Orientation Tool A self-assessment framework for adult education organisations that helps identify gaps and set goals for greener, more sustainable operations. This tool offers practical recommendations and is tailored for easy adaptation across different institutional settings. EU Project Carbon Footprint Calculator A pioneering calculator that allows project teams to assess the environmental impact of EU-funded mobility and cooperation activities. From travel to digital infrastructure, this tool empowers coordinators to measure and reduce their projects’ carbon footprints. Green Digital Orientation Map An interactive and visually engaging roadmap guiding organisations through practical actions for sustainable and digital transition—aligned with EU Green Deal principles and the Digital Education Action Plan. Podcast Series & Learning Resources We’ve developed a set of podcasts, training videos, and downloadable guides demystifying concepts such as carbon budgeting, green procurement, and sustainable coordination. These resources are designed for self-paced learning and integration into adult education training. Green Open Badge System Participants who complete activities and training modules through the Green Advisor platform can earn digital badges recognising sustainability competences—providing a practical way to validate learning and encourage continued professional development. Final Exploitation and Dissemination Strategy During the meeting, we reviewed our outreach strategy and discussed opportunities for scaling our results. Partners agreed on key next steps, including stakeholder engagement, multilingual dissemination, and new potential projects under the Green Advisor banner. The Green Advisor project has been led by a strong and diverse consortium of European organisations:
Each partner brought unique expertise, ranging from green project design and adult education to digital learning, civic engagement, and research. From the collaborative sessions to the cultural activities in Reus, the final meeting was a true celebration of European cooperation. It marked not just the end of a successful Erasmus+ project, but the beginning of new possibilities for sustainable education and greener project management across Europe. All final results will soon be publicly available at www.greenadvisorproject.com. Stay connected and be part of the movement toward responsible, inclusive, and environmentally aware European initiatives. This project has been funded with the support of the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project No: 2022-1-IS01-KA220-ADU-000085530 Tools and tips for EU Project Managers from the Green Advisor Project  At GeoCamp Iceland, we’ve been busy with the Green Advisor project — an Erasmus+ supported initiative focused on helping individuals and organisations build more sustainable habits, especially in education, travel, and project work. As the project nears completion, several exciting tools and learning resources are now available — and designed with the real needs of project managers, educators, and international mobility organisers in mind. What is Green Advisor? Green Advisor is a European collaboration focused on greening project management. The goal is to support organisations in reducing their environmental impact by providing free, practical tools and training modules that make it easier to make greener decisions — whether you’re planning an Erasmus+ project, running a mobility programme, or coordinating an international partnership. Try the Self-Assessment Tool Want to find out how green your habits really are? The Green Advisor self-assessment tool is now live in beta! It only takes a few minutes and provides instant insights into your personal or professional sustainability practices. Start your assessment here Explore the Sustainable Travel Module For anyone working in international cooperation or planning educational travel, the Sustainable Travel module offers concrete ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint, plan better, and make more responsible choices when travelling. Access the training module Coming Soon: Carbon Footprint Calculator One of the most exciting tools from the project is still to come — a Carbon Footprint Calculator designed to help project managers measure and improve the environmental impact of their day-to-day activities. Stay tuned for its release later this year. All these tools are part of a comprehensive training programme developed with real-world needs in mind. Whether you’re managing Erasmus+ projects, planning study tours, or simply aiming to reduce your environmental impact, Green Advisor is a great place to start. The Green Advisor project will be completed later this year — until then, we invite you to explore the tools, give them a try, and let us know what you think. Together, we can make greener choices the easy ones.  GeoCamp Iceland recently hosted the third transnational meeting (TPM) of the Erasmus+ Green Advisor project, a critical gathering for the project’s partners to advance sustainable practices in project management. The event took place in Iceland from 9-11 October 2024, drawing representatives from DomSpain, APS Polygonal, Gazi University, SmartUp, and Olemisen, who joined local representatives to exchange expertise, test tools, and refine methodologies developed over the past year. The primary focus of this meeting was to review and improve the project’s core outputs: the self-assessment tool for project managers and the carbon footprint calculator. These tools aim to empower project managers with actionable insights for reducing environmental impact. Each tool underwent rigorous discussion and testing, with Gazi University presenting technical updates and partners providing feedback. Key design elements were finalised, such as an interactive questionnaire for the self-assessment tool, paired with resources like podcast episodes to enhance user engagement. The carbon footprint calculator, designed to track a project’s CO₂ emissions, is set to include innovative features such as QR code tracking for event travel emissions and an option for car-sharing data input, providing users a comprehensive view of their project’s environmental impact. GeoCamp Iceland, leading the Building Energy Efficiency aspect of the project, showcased Iceland’s sustainable energy practices through a training session at the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant. This hands-on experience demonstrated geothermal energy’s role in Iceland’s sustainability strategy, sparking discussions on renewable energy adaptation for project settings. Other partners contributed similarly practical sessions: DomSpain led a workshop on sustainable travel and transportation trends, Gazi University presented on digital sustainability, SmartUp facilitated activities around zero waste, and Olemisen introduced tools for green procurement, ensuring each session directly aligned with the project’s sustainability goals. The event also integrated Iceland’s rich natural heritage with excursions to Geysir, Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and Vík, providing partners a first-hand experience of Iceland’s unique landscapes. Social activities reinforced team cohesion, concluding with a visit to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths for a relaxing end to the meeting. The TPM underscored the project’s progress and the collaborative commitment to sustainable practices, setting a solid foundation for the final meeting scheduled in Reus, Spain, in 2025.  GeoCamp Iceland participated in the second transnational meeting of the Erasmus+ supported project “Green Advisor” in beautiful and mesmerising Cori, Italy on 18 - 19 April 2024. The meeting was organised and hosted by our Italian partner at Polygonal, and included participants from Spain, Turkey and Finland. The "Green Advisor - Enhancing environmental sustainability of EU funded projects” is a three-years Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in the field of Adult Education that is coordinated by GeoCamp Iceland and involves partners from Spain, Italy, Turkey and Finland. The partnership will work together addressing the need to lower the environmental CO2 footprint that Erasmus+ projects generate. Among project outcomes are a Carbonfootprint Calculator (APP) and Green Streaming Orientation Tool to support Project Managers and Adult Educators in making their travels and communication more sustainable, while enhancing critical thinking on the environmental impact of such activities. During the meeting we were able to finalise research work as well as the environmental quality assurance framework on European project management. The meeting also focused on continuing work on the footprint calculator - including parameters for the calculation of the carbon footprint of EU projects - as well as development of self-assessment tools for project managers and training activities. There can be no trip to Italy without food and cultural events, so project partners received a guided tour inside Comune di Cori and tasted locally produced products of Cori and Giulianello. The group also had a privately currated visit to the stunning gardens of Ninfa "Giardino di Ninfa”. The next meeting within the project will take place in Iceland, and will include testing of teacher training materials. Big thanks to Polygonal for hosting the event, as well as to the other project partners (DomSpain, Gazi Üniversitesi, Smartup and Olemisen) for their active participation. For more information about the project please visit our project website: www.greenadvisorproject.com  After meeting online in November 2022, the Green Advisor project kickstarted with a transnational partners meeting in Turku, Finland in late January 2023.
The "Green Advisor - Enhancing environmental sustainability of EU funded projects” is a three-years Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in the field of Adult Education that is coordinated by GeoCamp Iceland and involves partners from Spain, Italy, Turkey and Finland. The partnership will work together addressing the need to lower the environmental CO2 footprint that Erasmus+ projects generate. Among project outcomes are a Carbonfootprint Calculator (APP) and Green Streaming Orientation Tool to support Project Managers and Adult Educators in making their travels and communication more sustainable, while enhancing critical thinking on the environmental impact of such activities. |
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GeoCamp Iceland is an educational project and travel agency dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding in natural sciences with practical and active learning. We develop educational content, student and teacher guides and curricula, organize and receive international study groups focusing primarily on natural sciences, environmental challenges, climate change and STEM education.
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