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FROM ECO-ANXIETY TO AGENCY
Collaborative Mapping for Youth-Led Sustainability with Ann Joma Job.
This workshop presents a research-informed approach to developing ecological intelligence (EI) among youth through collaborative mapping and participatory digital storytelling. Grounded in experiential learning and self-determination theory, EI integrates environmental awareness, systems thinking, and civic agency. While young people increasingly recognize environmental challenges, this awareness often leads to eco-anxiety and limited participation. Drawing on the EI-YOUTH (Erasmus+) initiative and global participatory practices, the session introduces collaborative mapping as a tool for enabling youth to document eco-social challenges through geolocated narratives and collective storytelling. Participants will engage in pragmatic simulations that demonstrate how awareness can be transformed into meaningful, community-based action. This workshop offers a scalable, culturally adaptable model for fostering youth agency, ecological identity, and sustainable citizenship across
This interactive workshop explores how ecological intelligence (EI) can be developed through collaborative mapping and participatory storytelling. Moving beyond awareness-based environmental education, it introduces an experiential approach that supports youth in translating concern into action. Participants will engage in guided activities simulating how young people document environmental challenges—such as pollution, loss of green spaces, and environmental inequities—using geolocated narratives and visual storytelling. The session integrates experiential learning and constructivist approaches to foster agency, critical thinking, and ecological identity. Working in small groups, participants will design a youth-led mapping initiative relevant to their own cultural and community contexts. No prior technical experience is required. This workshop is designed for educators and practitioners seeking practical, evidence-informed tools for environmental education, youth leadership, and community engagement.
