Nurturing Nature Intelligence in Adults through a Mobile App and Training Programme
▶Summary
The project aimed to promote adult wellbeing and ecological awareness by developing and applying the concept of Nature Intelligence in adult education. Our main objectives were: 1.To establish a ...
▶Objectives
The project aimed to promote adult wellbeing and ecological awareness by developing and applying the concept of Nature Intelligence in adult education. Our main objectives were: 1.To establish a theoretical framework and competency model for NQ in adults, integrating emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and spiritual dimensions; 2.To create and validate a personalised mobile app (NatuReal) that helps adult learners develop their NQ competencies through real-world, reflective activities; 3.To design and implement a dual-format training programme for adult educators—combining a self-paced e-course with a long-term residential training sequence—to build their capacity to support learners' NQ development in both digital and face-to-face contexts. Through these objectives, we aimed to strengthen the role of nature-based learning in adult education, encourage sustainable behaviours, and contribute to the professionalisation of educators working in wellbeing, mental health, and environmental education.
▶Activities
The project was carried out through four work packages. WP1 focused on project management and dissemination, ensuring strong coordination, regular partner meetings, financial oversight, and wide-reaching communication. The dissemination strategy included activities such as a dedicated project website (www.natureintelligence.eu) a dedicated app website (www.naturealapp.com), two editions of the international “NQ Weeks” webinars, Multiplier events, scientific paper & conference presentations and the publication of materials on the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. WP2 developed the theoretical foundation for Nature Intelligence (NQ) through literature reviews, focus groups, and the creation of a validated NQ scale for adults with nine unique NQ competencies. WP3 involved the design, development, and pilot testing of the NatuReal mobile app, tailored to support adults in developing NQ through real-world activities and reflection tools. WP4 designed and implemented two training courses for adult educators—a self-paced e-course and a long-term blended residential training—focused on enabling educators to support NQ development in adult learners across both digital and physical learning contexts.
▶Impact
The project produced several concrete and impactful outputs. We developed a scientific framework and validated competency model for Nature Intelligence (NQ) in adults, along with a 9-item NQ scale to measure personal development and identify learning needs. Based on this, we created and launched the NatuReal mobile app, now available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in English, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish. The app offers learning paths through real-world, nature-based activities supported by reflection tools. We also designed and piloted two training programmes for adult educators: a self-paced e-learning course and a long-term blended residential course. Together, these built educators’ capacity to guide NQ learning processes. In addition, we created a dedicated project website, delivered international “NQ Weeks” with webinars, reached over 550 participants in our scale validation study, and engaged 125 adult learners and 25 educators in pilot testing. All key outputs are open-access and widely disseminated for continued use.