Approach
We view education as a whole, yet we also recognize that each of us learns differently. That is why we use a wide range of teaching methods and practices.
At the same time, we know that education doesn’t just take place in classrooms, but in every aspect of life—from nature to the interactions we have every day with the people around us. Basically, from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep, we’re learning.
Therefore, we take a holistic approach to everything we do, based on the five elements of Taoist practice. These elements serve as our pillars of strength and represent all the areas we explore in our work, guiding our vision of education.
Vision
We envision a world where people of all ages feel fulfilled personally and professionally, and are ready to bring about positive change in their communities.
Mission
To make our dream a reality, we’re constantly working to create experiential learning environments (meaning you learn by actually doing things) where you can grow both personally and professionally.
More specifically, we’ll be by your side and support you on your journey toward personal and professional fulfillment, whatever that means to you.
How do we actually do that?
We offer you access to innovative and impactful tools, methods, and interventions that will change the way you view education and learning.
We help you develop your creative skills and adapt to the digital and technological demands of the job market, so you’re always ready for new opportunities as they arise.
We’re here to support you in enhancing your emotional well-being, so that you can live a happier and more fulfilling life.
We open the doors to the visual arts, theater, film, dance, and literature as avenues for personal growth and healing.
We encourage you to cultivate your sense of initiative and entrepreneurship so that you can reach your full potential and make your dreams come true.
These days, we spend most of our time in Brașov and the surrounding area (when we’re not traveling all over Europe).
We have a really cool place, somewhere near the Citadel, where we feel right at home. We called it the Nonformal Education Lab, because that’s what we do: we create nonformal learning experiences that have a real impact on young people’s development and well-being.
Most of the time, we spend time with the young people in the Youth Lab (the room next to the office, where we have all kinds of learning experiences).
The Pillars of iEL
Earth
Personal Development
EARTH symbolizes the realm of Personal Development and represents our inner foundation—from self-awareness to soft skills and financial literacy. A solid foundation of self-knowledge allows us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence. Your personal development is essential. From mindfulness to mentoring, we’re here to support you.
FIRE
Professional Development
Professional growth is symbolized by FIRE, because it perfectly illustrates the passion and ambition to advance in one’s career by developing practical skills: from knowing how to write your resume to what you post online and how to present yourself in a positive light through your actions. In an ever-changing world, it’s essential to be able to adapt and continually evolve. We help you grow professionally, develop your skills, and build your network in a healthy way.
WATER
Inclusion and Diversity
APA stands for Inclusion and Diversity. It represents fluidity and the ability to accept and embrace diversity, which can greatly enrich our experiences and make us more empathetic. For us, every voice matters, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or favorite soccer team.
WOOD
Research and Innovation
Research and innovation represent the ongoing exploration of new methods and approaches in education, and LEMNUL is a symbol of this. We constantly research and seek to innovate the methods we use in our work with people, because innovation allows us to remain relevant and offer solutions tailored to current needs.
METAL
Sustainable Impact
METAL is the element that symbolizes sustainability, long-term planning, and making a positive impact. We want to leave a lasting legacy while ensuring that our actions have a positive long-term effect.
Values
GROWTH
We empower people to grow continuously, make an impact, become more aware of the world around them, and achieve their goals.
INNOVATION
We foster curiosity, creativity, and concrete actions to develop transformational educational methods.
SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
We want to make a long-term impact. To that end, we use our resources responsibly and want every action we take to add value.
COOPERATION
We believe that together we can make a greater impact. It is essential that we collaborate with organizations from as diverse a range of fields as possible and work together to transform communities.
RESPONSIBILITY
We act with integrity and ethics, produce genuine results, and are committed to bringing about positive change in education and society.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Everyone is welcome here! We’re constantly working to create a community where everyone feels seen and heard, regardless of age, background, or profile.
SOLIDARITY
We encourage mutual support, active listening, sincere collaboration, and the promotion of unity in diversity. Solidarity helps us stay united, and every gesture counts.
ADAPTABILITY
We are connected and are constantly adapting to the ever-changing environment and society.
Methods Used
With every workshop and project we facilitate, we add more and more nonformal learning methods to our repertoire.
We do everything in a non-formal way, because it’s essential that you be at the center of the learning process. Depending on the activity and the participants’ needs, we combine different methods to create relevant and impactful learning experiences.
Here are a few of them, which we use frequently in our work.
Creativity and Mindfulness
We use art to explore our inner selves and become more aware of ourselves and those around us.
Participatory research
We offer you access to innovative and impactful tools, methods, and interventions that will change the way you view education and learning.
Interactive Games
Through play, we explore new concepts and develop our life skills, entrepreneurial skills, digital skills, and sustainability skills.
Experiential Learning in Nature
We organize outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping, to learn about nature through hands-on experience.
Think tanks
After each activity we do, we discuss it as a group to reflect on the experience and what we’ve learned.
Organizations Partner Organizations
Institutions Partner Institutions
Companies that support us
Funding
