PLASE Project

20/08/2026

Local nature as recreation!
In many places in Norway, local voluntary groups and organizations collaborate with local authorities to facilitate the active use of nature for recreational purposes. “Stikk ut!” (Get out!) is one such initiative, where marked hiking trails of varying difficulty are created. This provides great experiences in the local area, and the trails are used by people of all ages. And what's better than enjoying a packed lunch when you arrive at your destination!

13/08/2026

Notice the living nature!

Have you noticed all the living things in nature that contribute to making up the place where you live? Animals, birds and insects are all small and maybe insignificant in themselves, but if you take the time to explore nature and look closer you will discover a whole new world. Wild animals in the forest, birds feeding close to your house, killer whales in the sea, insects crawling on a rock…… Perhaps seeing the beauty and diversity of the living creatures just where we live is extra important when the world around us appears to be chaos.

06/08/2026

The art of nature!

Where you live, you often become blind to the little things that tourists find so fascinating. Use your camera the next time you are on a trip in your own local area, look for "ordinary" motives that can tell a story, maybe you will see nature's own unique works of art with new eyes. Then after the trip you can look at the "works of art" in peace and quiet and share good stories with good friends.

05/08/2026

High above the beautiful town of Pescia stands the Monastery of the Fathers of Nazareth, a place where history, faith, education, and community come together.

This is a perfect example of Place-Based Education: learning that begins with a place, its people, and its values. A visit here is not only about discovering a remarkable landscape, but also about understanding how local heritage connects to global responsibility.

The Fathers of Nazareth have dedicated themselves to educating and supporting young people, offering them opportunities to grow through learning, service, and community life. Their missionary work also reaches beyond Italy, extending to Africa and South America, where they continue to serve communities through education and pastoral care.

Places like this remind us that education is not confined to classrooms. It flourishes where culture, history, nature, and human commitment meet—helping learners develop a deeper sense of belonging while inspiring them to become responsible global citizens.

20/07/2026

Here I get to live in a beautiful place and create exactly the kind of surroundings I want. I may invite people here instead of having to carry my sculptures around, says self-taught artist Lasse Martikainen who presents various works in the artist’s sculpture park at Koli, Lieksa (Finland). Ever since its opening in 2019 it has been an attraction by locals as well as tourists. But for the artist it’s a way of life, e.g. self-made life. Read more about the park: https://www.kolinpuutarha.fi/en/sculpture-park/

17/07/2026

Tangible and in the heart of Koli village in Lieksa, Finland. The village focuses on developing year-round tourism, culture and community. The village acts also as a gateway to the national park. New projects and plans will increase the village's services, housing and its vitality.

12/07/2026

Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has added the restoration and use of steamships to the National Register of Living Cultural Heritage.
This summer the city of Joensuu will celebrate the annual Steamship Summer Regatta that brings together a significant representation of historical steamships. They are a significant part of Finnish history and water transport history and preservation of which is exceptional, even internationally.

10/07/2026

The sea, a blue-space therapy.

‘Sea cures’ are not new but the idea that exposure to oceans, rivers and lakes can be medicine for the brain is gaining traction

09/07/2026

Joensuu (literally river’s mouth
in English) is a Finnish city is established in 1848 by Czar Nikolai I. The city has prospered on river trade and the timber industry and by the end of the 19th century it was one of the largest and busiest river ports in Finland. Today the harbour is quiet, but the waterways remain an important part of life in Joensuu and its identity.

04/07/2026

Beautiful nature and history are present in Träskända manor park in Espoo, Finland. It’s nationally a valuable cultural and historical environment as well as an old nature reserve. The grounds include an exceptionally extensive landscape park that has remained mostly in its original form. What a fantastic place for learning of local history!