The Latvian national parks paired up to help a Croatian National Park start their own Junior Ranger programme.

Expanding the Junior Ranger programme through Erasmus+ projects

The Erasmus+ project “Environmental awareness-raising of young people from protected areas”  was a small-scale partnerships project between Gauja National Park Fund (Latvia), Ķemeri National Park Fund (Latvia), Krka National Park (Croatia) and Leader Sepra (Finland). Over the course of two years, it aimed to inform and raise interest of young people about environmental issues in Europe, partner countries and local territories and create possibility to participate and express their opinion through existing youth organisations such as the Junior Ranger Programme, scouts and others.

The project included research into good practices from junior rangers in Latvia, scouts in Finland, and pilot activities in Croatia in the field of non-formal methods, looking at how to involve the teenagers in nature protection and increase their environmental awareness. Not just that, the project also looked even deeper, exploring a the motivations for youth engagement and incorporating them into their youth programmes.

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During last two years the project partners had three successful study visits and an international final event in Krka National Park, developing a Junior Ranger Programme and a motivation system for young people which resulted in Krka National Park being the first Croatian Protected Area to implement a EUROPARC Junior Ranger programme in recent years. This programme focused on a first cohort of 20 young people and was strengthened by the project partners, improving environmental knowledge and creating visibility materials. In addition to the establishment of a junior ranger group in Croatia, the number of young rangers and volunteers also grew in Latvia.

The successful realisation of project activities brought numerous benefits to all project partners, involved participants as well as participant organisations. The initiative, aimed at young people aged 13 to 30 (including both Junior Rangers and Youth+), focused on nature protection, environmental restoration, and sustainability. Designed to be inclusive and engaging, the activities encouraged participants to develop practical skills needed for biodiversity monitoring, deepen their understanding of environmental issues such as pollinator declines, and strengthen their motivation to protect nature by building a sense of connection to Protected Areas.

Beyond environmental education, the programme fostered valuable social connections. Participants not only made new friends locally but also built international ties, learning about each other’s countries, cultures, and languages. These exchanges enriched the experience, broadening horizons and inspiring continued collaboration across borders.

Partner organisations reported strengthened youth programmes and expanded professional networks, alongside the adoption of innovative educational methods. The project’s strong visibility in local communities further inspired reflection among young people and their families, helping to spread a culture of environmental responsibility.

Participating schools, particularly those connected with the Junior Ranger and Scout movements, benefited from additional extracurricular activities that attracted new students and strengthened community ties. Municipalities gained from the public attention surrounding environmental education, with hopes that some participants may pursue future careers in nature conservation as biologists, foresters, or park rangers.

Protected Areas near the project sites also played a key role, sharing their expertise with participants and expecting that some will one day return as employees or advocates for conservation. Educational workshops with Junior Rangers and scouts are set to continue, with the newly established Junior Ranger group in Krka National Park already planning future activities and seeking to welcome new members.

The project’s success has set a strong foundation for future initiatives dedicated to youth education and environmental stewardship—demonstrating that engaging young people in hands-on learning can inspire both local and global impact.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.