Collaboration for multi-functional outdoor settings for play, learning and strengthened ecosystem services

Supported by Formas 2016-2020, researchers at Jönköping University have carried out the research project Multifunctional urban outdoor environments that promote health and sustainability: a study of collaborative processes for strengthened ecosystem services in collaboration with Jönköping County Public Health Department, 10 preschools, and municipalities.The project resulted in collaborating preschools having inventoried and strengthened ecosystem services, including opportunities for play and ecological literacy.

The process for strengthened ecosystem services on preschools grounds served as a catalyst for engaging children and adults in inclusive, health-promoting actions and in more sustainable and biodiverse environments.Knowledge was developed in collaboration to continuously improve both outdoor environments and the methods in the improvement procedure (Kjellström et al., 2020).

Children´s learning has been promoted by their active participation in the work of strengthening ecosystem services (Almers et al., 2020).

Collaboration between preschool staff and other actors has promoted successful adjustment of the physical environment where knowledge about ecosystem services has become a common starting point.

Obstacles identified have been a lack of participation and knowledge about sustainability and ecosystem services, and a lack of communication between preschool staff and other actors.To inspire action and scale up strategies, in Step 1, results and experiences from the research project are disseminated through webinars, films, info graphics and tutorials to preschool teachers, teachers, children, janitors, kitchen staff, school principals, technical administration and housing companies, and other target groups throughout Sweden.

In Step 2, the same target groups are invited to submit their own films and/or descriptions in different categories, e. g.: Learning activities; Ecosystem services; Collaborative processes - obstacles and opportunities.

In both Stage 1 and Stage 2, Keep Sweden Tidy´s well-established and extensive school and municipal network is the hub for communication, but dissemination also takes place through other channels.The purpose of the communication project is to facilitate broad participation in the transition to sustainable local environments with strengthened ecosystem services and good play and learning environments through support for collaborative processes that promote action competence and learning for sustainability.