The DivEE project, titled ’empowering autistic learners through citizen science: bridging environmental education and inclusion in mainstream classrooms‘, is a two-year Erasmus+ initiative aimed at fostering the socio-educational inclusion of autistic students aged 12–16. By introducing inclusive Citizen Science projects into secondary classrooms, DivEE equips teachers with accessible digital tools and flexible pedagogical strategies, empowering autistic learners to develop environmental literacy, collaborate with peers, and take part in meaningful green action.
About DiVEE
Despite the legal obligations to provide inclusive education to disabled children, many autistic learners still face systemic barriers to full participation in education across Europe. Autistic students in secondary schools often struggle with social exclusion, rigid teaching methods, and limited opportunities to engage in environmental learning. The DivEE project aims to break this cycle by using Citizen Science (CS) as an inclusive, engaging, and flexible educational approach.
DivEE will empower autistic students aged 12–16 by embedding accessible environmental education into mainstream classrooms. Through innovative tools and teacher training, the project will open new pathways for autistic students to develop green skills, collaborate with peers, and become active contributors to sustainable communities.
DiVEE Goals
DivEE’s key open-source outputs and objectives will be:
- An Autism-Inclusive Citizen Science Toolkit, complete with digital learning nuggets, interactive resources and 6 adapted CS projects, will enable stakeholder training and the co-creation/adaptation of 4 national CS projects at the transnational training activity.
- A Teacher E-book and Awareness Campaign, introducing educators to the benefits of inclusive Citizen Science and equipping them with the knowledge to implement CS in classrooms.
- Co-created National CS Projects, developed collaboratively by teachers, autism professionals, and CS experts during a transnational training activity, ensuring real-world applicability.
- Pilot Implementation in 8 Schools, engaging over 100 students—20 of whom are autistic—in inclusive CS projects that support environmental awareness, collaboration, and social inclusion.
- Three Inclusive Citizen Science Festivals, celebrating autistic students’ contributions and strengthening ties between schools, families, and local communities.
All materials will follow universal design principles and be translated into multiple languages to ensure accessibility and broader impact across the EU.
More information can be found on the project’s website.
DiVEE Partners:
- Autism-Europe (Coordinator – Belgium)
- University of Western Macedonia (Greece)
- Instituto dei Sordi di Torino (Italy)
- IASIS NGO (Greece)
- Citizens In Power (CIP) (Cyprus)
The consortium brings together experts in autism advocacy, inclusive education, psychology, digital tool development, and Citizen Science. Their combined expertise ensures the effective design and implementation of inclusive EE activities across Europe.
More about the Erasmus+ Programme
Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.