BirdLife Malta announces the successful conclusion of the Erasmus+ funded project – A Superpower to Defend Nature – which was led by BirdLife Malta to make outdoor education more inclusive for children with developmental and learning disabilities.

This groundbreaking initiative, which ran from January 2023 to February 2025, addressed a critical gap in outdoor and environmental education for children with developmental and learning disabilities.

BirdLife Malta explained that children with such disabilities often face barriers to participating in nature-based activities due to inaccessible resources, untrained educators, or the misconception that they cannot fully engage with environmental learning. “This project tackled these challenges head-on, breaking down barriers and promoting equity through specialised tools and inspiring resources.”

This project was coordinated by BirdLife Malta in collaboration with six international partners:

· Kummissjoni ghad-Drittijiet ta’ Persuni b’Dizabbilta (CRPD, Malta)

· Sociedad Espanola de Ornitología (SEO, BirdLife Spain)

· Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU, BirdLife Italy)

· Hellenic Ornithological Society (BirdLife Greece)

· Idryma Prostasias Aprosarmoston Paidon I Theotokos (Theotokos Foundation, Greece)

· Associazione Italiana Persone Down Onlus (Italy)

Spanning Malta, Greece, Italy, and Spain, the project fostered nature- bonding experiences that empowered children, inspired families and united communities.BirdLife Malta said that the project delivered four impactful resources:

1. Outdoor educators’ manual – “Let’s make nature education more inclusive”: Guidelines to adapt outdoor education for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

2. Teachers’ manual – “Green adventures”: Tools to help educators and Learning Support Educators (LSE) in nature-based activities.

3. Family handbook – “Beyond cognitive boundaries”: Activity ideas to help families strengthen bonds and explore nature’s benefits.

4. Inspirational video – “Together in nature”: Stories showcasing SEN children thriving in nature, breaking stereotypes, and inspiring inclusive practices.

“By empowering children to develop confidence and visibility, inspiring families and educators to embrace inclusivity, and raising awareness of the crucial role children with SEN can play in environmental stewardship, the project has laid the groundwork for a more inclusive, sustainable future,” said BirdLife Malta.

It added that “the conclusion of the project marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter:”

· Broader dissemination of resources: The project manuals and videos will be widely distributed through partnerships with schools, NGOs, and community organisations.

· Capacity building for educators: BirdLife Malta will train environmental educators and nature reserve staff to confidently implement inclusive activities for children with learning and developmental disabilities.

BirdLife Malta concluded by saying that “with these efforts, ‘A Superpower to Defend Nature’ will continue to inspire change and create pathways for all children to connect with nature, grow personally, and contribute to sustainability.”

For more information or access to the project’s resources, please contact BirdLife Malta at education@birdlifemalta.org or click here.

Photos: Top – BirdLife Malta; and below Danila Graci and Silvia Margiotta

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