Beyond the classroom: The EU-funded Earth Ecology School in Eskişehir offers exciting learning opportunities for all

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Beyond the classroom: The EU-funded Earth Ecology School in Eskişehir offers exciting learning opportunities for all

"Here, I paint, play games and feed the animals. I think all the children should come here; it is a wonderful place," says ten-year-old Rüzgâr.

© EUROPEAN UNION, 2025

He eagerly visits the Earth Ecology School (Yeryüzü Ekoloji Okulu), part of the Slow School (Sakin Okul) Association in Eskişehir, which is supported by the European Union (EU).

Nine-year-old Deniz, who is visiting for the first time, explains: "I learned how archaeological excavations are conducted, and I fed Basri, the turtle. This place is certainly different from a normal school!"

The Earth Ecology School in Eskişehir is located on a 2-hectare plot of land nestled in amongst the city's buildings

Alternative approach to education

The Slow School Association was founded in 2015 by teachers dedicated to nature and education who were searching for an egalitarian, co-learning form of education. They adopted an approach that values children's ideas, encourages them to dream, and empowers them to express themselves.

With the support of the EU's Sivil Düşün programme, several books have been published

The Slow School Association subsequently received support from the EU: Through the Civil Society Development Centre's (STGM) BİRLİKTE programme, the association's capacity was enhanced, various workshops were organised, and books were published with the support of Sivil Düşün. The association continues to benefit from this programme and is also included in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme under Erasmus+.

The Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, says: "By combining environmental awareness, urban space management and innovative learning, this initiative fosters a deeper connection between children and nature. It also encourages all of us to become active participants in shaping a sustainable future. We are proud to support projects that promote knowledge and responsibility and have a lasting impact on communities and on our planet."

Berkant Topaloğlu, the volunteer supervisor

For some time, the Slow School organised its workshops in the townhouses allocated by the Tepebaşı Municipality. It has used the Earth Ecology School, whose land is allocated by the Municipality, for the past five years as a practice area. Berkant Topaloğlu, the volunteer supervisor, explains the purpose of establishing this school: "When a child saw a tomato plant here, he was surprised and asked, 'Don't tomatoes grow in greengrocers?' So, we can say that this school was built for children who have never seen a tomato plant before."

Hüseyin Eryılmaz, founder of the Slow School

The Earth Ecology School was conceived by children

Every child attending nature-based workshops learns to see the world differently. In this school, children can create their own games, enjoy freedom and have a lot of fun.

Retired teacher Hüseyin Eryılmaz, one of the founders of the Slow School, explains why:

"The idea originally came from the children. In one of the workshops held as part of the Slow School between 2015 and 2019, 8th-grade students designed their own theme parks due to their dissatisfaction with children's parks consisting of plastic swings and slides that only younger children could use. One of these parks was the Ecological Park, which became the foundation for this place."

The idea for the Earth Ecology School originated from a group of 8th-grade students

Defne Sungar, one of the workshop participants and now a philosophy student at Galatasaray University, describes the park's design process: "We spent most of the workshops playing games because the concept of play was very important to us. We tried to transform parks with limited functions into a space where everyone could play."

The Earth Ecology School carries out educational activities related to nature and the surrounding area

The Slow School's management liked the children's proposal. A few years later, they developed the Ecological Park project and, with the support of a holding company, turned the children's dream into reality under the name Earth Ecology School.

Another workshop student, Selin Sungar, who is now studying sociology at Mimar Sinan University, says: "I couldn't believe it when I heard that the association had developed our Ecological Park project idea and that negotiations were underway to make it a reality. It seemed impossible!"

Ferhat Taşdelen, founder-president of the Slow School

Over 10,000 children benefited in five years

The Earth Ecology School has served the people of Eskişehir for five years. Retired teacher Ferhat Taşdelen, the founder-president of Slow School, states that the number of children they have positively impacted during this time is over 10,000, adding:

"The children love it here, and we love being with them. This place is part of our lives; we enjoy working here even when we are tired. There isn't a single square metre of this two-acre site that we haven't tended to. From sanding and polishing the wooden structures to watering the plants in the garden to running the school, we do it all together."

University students discover Eskişehir through the city game

Adults can also play games

The Earth Ecology School also organises activities for young people and adults. Zülal Gündüz, the volunteer coordinator, reflects: "Games are not only for children. For example, we make sure that new university students get to know the history and culture of Eskişehir through the city game".

Training programme for trainers in nature and forest practices

The Slow School also organises activities such as cinema evenings, sand volleyball tournaments and stargazing. All activities are free of charge.

Contact the Slow School to participate in events and workshops, volunteer for the association, or travel to Europe with the ESC. Click here for detailed information.

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