The Opening Up the Outdoors (Outo) initiative presented the study “Unhistindically belong” on October 1st in the Munich sports house Schuster. It is the first data-based investigation that documents the experiences of people of different skin color than the white majority population in the German outdoor culture.
The study carried out by the Clout LTD agency in cooperation with Outo illuminates how discrimination and exclusion shape the participation of people in outdoor rooms-and also shows ways to more inclusion and belonging. It makes it clear: for many People of Color in Germany, discrimination is everyday life, and even nature often does not offer a safe retreat. 65 percent of those surveyed report that they are discriminated against in everyday life due to their visible identity. Just as many have already experienced discrimination in outdoor environments, from verbal attacks to subtle forms of exclusion. “This denies you the feeling of security, belonging and access, which is a matter of course for others – and your basic human right to enjoy the advantages of nature,” said the study.
The study also shows that there are differences in expectations of outdoor experiences that only appeals to certain groups and excludes others. For example, 66 percent of the outdoor culture surveyed experiences as an unapproachable through unspoken expectations of knowledge, experience, “the right equipment” and to the places where outdoor activities typically take place. For example, these should ideally be remote, rough and demanding. However, this knowledge and wishes do not apply to everyone. Even the dominant narrative of the “conquering of nature” does not appeal to many or even deteriorate because they see a place of healing, encounter and collective joy in nature.
The study therefore comes to the conclusion: “If outdoor is staged by the industry as exclusive, remote and equipment -intensive, logistical and financial hurdles are intensified for everyone.” Therefore, the study also mentions paths for more inclusion. This includes more support for different communities, redefine participation and create training offers that better consider different communities.
Keme Nzerem, founder and chairman of Outo: “Our mission is simple: dismantling barriers, promoting inclusion and creating outdoor areas in which everyone feels really belonging.”
Outo was founded in 2021 and is a collective that works for diversity, justice and inclusion in the outdoor area. Outo is part of the ‘It’s Great Out Out there coalition’, a non-profit initiative at European level, which was launched by the outdoor industry in 2017.