ESC: G.R.E.E.N - Garden Refuge and Environmental Education in Nature

The AVRIL organisation, based in the rural commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Coutances, was created in 1983. Its mission is to educate and raise awareness about the environment and sustainable development (EEDD) and to preserve the bocage, wetland and coastal environments. The association's project is organised around 3 axes: raising awareness and preserving terrestrial environments, coastal environments and mobilising around the issues of sustainable development. They respond to European issues through the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, there are two cross-cutting themes: the fight against climate change and international mobility. This international dimension appeared more than 15 years ago, first through international exchanges, then through voluntary work (EVS and then ESC). Today, it is present in all the fields of action of the association, which wishes to associate the environment with international cooperation: we wish to encourage young people in their awareness of European citizenship and eco-responsibility. The association has several approvals within the framework of its activity: National Education, Environmental Protection, Civic Service, Youth and Popular Education. It is a member of the Norman EEDD network GRAINE, of the network of youth structures of the Ligue de l'Enseignement de la Manche and is a relay for the regional network of international mobility Normanbilité. It is involved in regional EEDD policies and in the CoRéMob action plan. It is also a partner of the Conseil Départemental de la Manche and local authorities in the field of the environment, international affairs and youth. AVRIL is notably involved in the reflection process of the local social educational plan PESL of the community of communes of Coutances mer et bocage. Over the years, the association has participated in the implementation of European and international partnership dynamics. The core of its activity with the public is non-formal education and it also makes the link with formal education through actions carried out with schools and training centres. The association reaches a very wide and diverse public, from the youngest to the oldest. It has 14 administrators, 92 members and 20 volunteers, all of whom are involved in the life of the association and in its various missions. From an organisational point of view, a team of 10 employees is divided into four interconnected areas: EEDD, the coastline and recreational fishing, wetlands and bocages, and international and youth activities. Each is coordinated by an employee and an administrator. One of the association's employees has a mission entirely dedicated to youth and international mobility, for young people aged 12 to 30. The aim of this position is to guide them towards an awareness of and commitment to eco-citizenship as well as towards an openness to others and to the world. It consists of raising awareness, mobilising, but also accompanying youth projects related to the environment and international solidarity, based on the SDGs. It is within the framework of this last mission that the association carries out its activity within the CES around the reception and the support of European volunteers but also as a leader with partner structures of the Manche territory. Over the years we have been able to develop our expertise and build partnerships throughout Europe and the world. It is this experience that led us to participate in the regional policy of Normandy, as a member of the monitoring committee of the CoRéMob Normandy action plan.