EDV 1 marked the second mobility activity of the Concrete Jungle project and the first Exploration and Development Visit of the partnership. It was designed as a hands-on, immersive experience where we could explore how outdoor and civic education methods function within urban environments — and how they can be adapted, reshaped, and newly created to respond to city realities. Rather than approaching the topic theoretically, EDV 1 was built around practice, reflection, and experimentation, allowing us to learn directly from the city and from each other.

Throughout the visit, we tested a variety of experiential methods that used urban spaces as learning environments. We explored cities through creative challenges, investigated public and green spaces, and engaged with local initiatives addressing social inclusion, environmental awareness, and youth participation. A central element of the process was analysis: each activity was examined from the perspectives of participant, facilitator, and creator. This helped us understand not only how the methods worked, but why they were effective and how they could be improved or transferred to other urban contexts.

Equally important was our engagement with the human stories of the city. Through encounters with organisations, civic initiatives, and people with lived experience, we reflected on themes such as homelessness, access to public space, social justice, and belonging. We explored how narratives, myths, and local history shape urban identity, and how civic education begins with empathy and awareness. These experiences were powerful, sometimes challenging, and deeply grounding — reminding us that cities are not neutral spaces, but environments shaped by policy, culture, and human decisions.

By the end of EDV 1, we felt connected, motivated, and aligned around a shared purpose. We had piloted and adapted existing outdoor education tools, begun developing new methods that connect outdoor and civic learning, and laid the groundwork for turning these experiences into practical resources. The outcomes of EDV 1 will now feed into the next phase of the Concrete Jungle project: refining the methods and making them accessible through our platform for educators, youth workers, and facilitators to use in their everyday practice. EDV 1 was not a conclusion, but a strong and intentional step forward.