Mobile environmental education is not limited to German-speaking countries!
For this reason, the AGUM established contacts with mobile education programmes in Europe and around the world at an early stage. But that’s not all: AGUM has also acted as a ‘midwife’ for international environmental mobiles on several occasions.
One example is the Ombombo Mobile Classroom, an innovative educational initiative in Namibia that brings environmental education directly to remote communities. It was launched by EduVentures Namibia and is the first of its kind in Africa.
The rolling classroom is a converted six-tonne truck equipped with solar panels, batteries, a smartboard and fixed classroom furniture so that it can be operated independently and sustainably in remote areas. It is primarily aimed at primary and secondary school pupils and covers topics such as climate change, biodiversity and sustainable resource utilisation.
The annual AGUM meetings also regularly have an international character. Particularly noteworthy are the meetings in Thun in 2008, on the island of Vilm in 2011, in Essen in 2017 and in Hungary in 2018.
Furthermore, members of the AGUM presented the concept of ‘mobile vehicle-based environmental education’ at world congresses, e.g. Turin 2005 or the CBD conference in Bonn 2009.
But that’s not all: individual members of AGUM have travelled to Beijing and Poland for multiplier training courses.
Individual mobiles have also travelled abroad on invitation. For example, the LUMBRICUS has travelled to South Tyrol several times as a ‘river bus’ and has regularly travelled to Belgium for over 20 years at the invitation of the German-speaking community.
AGUM members are happy to provide international delegations with information when they travel to Germany in search of ‘good practice ideas’ for innovative educational programmes.
Profiles of international eco-mobiles
OMBOMBO – Namibia
OMBOMBO
EduMobile is Namibia’s first mobile environmental education classroom, reaching remote communities where access to ESD is limited. It offers hands-on, inclusive, and multilingual learning using mobile exhibitions, SDG games (some translated into local languages), bush cinema, comics, and explainer videos. The project supports school gardens, renewable energy training, biodiversity and ocean literacy, and fosters learner-led action. It adapts content to local contexts and builds partnerships with ministries, NGOs, and schools. It also includes learners with disabilities and out-of-school youth, promoting equity and sustainable community change.
Country: NAMIBIA
Company, who owns the project
Address: 59 ROBERT MOGABE AVENUE, WINDHOEK , NAMIBIA
Telephone: +264276809
Email:INFO@EDUVENTURES-AFRICA.ORG
Internet: WWW.EDUVENTURES-AFRICA.ORG
Social Media Channels
Facebook: 
Instagram: 
YouTube: 
Contact Person: Maria Johannes
Vehicle Type: Mitsubishi Fuso canter – Truck up to 7.5 t
Size: (LxHxW in m): 4.4mx3mx2.2m (closed) 4.4m (open)
Year of Purchase: 2013
Type of engine: 3.00-liter engine capacity
Interior Workstations:
The interior of the EduMobile is designed to be a flexible, mobile classroom equipped for interactive and inclusive learning. Key features include:
- Modular desks and seating for group activities and workshops
- Mounted whiteboard and pinboards for visual instruction and displays
- Storage compartments for educational materials and equipment
- Built-in charging stations powered by solar energy for devices
- Foldable tables for demonstrations and hands-on activities
- Overhead lighting for comfortable indoor sessions
- Mounted screens or monitors for digital content delivery
- Sound system for clear communication during mobile sessions
- Eco-friendly interior finishes that reflect the program’s sustainability values
Topics:
A variety of Environmental topics such as Climate change, Biodiversity,
Sustainability, Agroecology, Ocean literacy, Renewable Energy, SDGs, One
Health Approach, Green career and many more
Methods:
The EduMobile uses learner-centered and transformative educational methods rooted in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles. These include:
- Experiential Learning: Hands-on activities like gardening, biodiversity observation, and renewable energy demonstrations.
- Game-Based Learning: SDG-themed board games (some translated into local languages) to make sustainability concepts fun and relatable.
- Mobile Exhibitions: Interactive displays on environmental topics such as climate change, waste management, and biodiversity.
- Multimedia Learning: Use of explainer videos, bush cinema, and digital storytelling to engage learners visually and emotionally.
- Participatory Workshops: Learners co-create solutions to local sustainability challenges, building agency and problem-solving skills.
- Inclusive Education: Materials and facilitation adapted for learners with disabilities and diverse linguistic backgrounds.
- Peer Education & Clubs: Support for learner-led environmental clubs that foster ongoing learning and action in schools and communities.
- Place-Based Learning: Connecting global sustainability issues to local environments, cultures, and livelihoods.
These methods help empower learners to become active citizens who understand, value, and contribute to sustainable development in their communities.
Technical equipment:
The EduMobile is equipped with a range of tools and resources to support interactive mobile environmental education:
- Solar power system (for energy self-sufficiency)
- Portable projector and screen (for bush cinema and presentations)
- Laptops and tablets (for digital learning)
- Audio equipment (speakers and microphones for outdoor teaching)
- Mobile exhibition stands and banners
- Illustrated educational comic books
- Translated SDG board games
- Rechargeable lighting kits for off-grid learning
- Gardening kits and demonstration tools
- Renewable energy demonstration models
- Waste sorting bins and materials for recycling activities
- First aid kit and safety gear
Target group:
- Primary and Secondary School Learners – especially from rural, remote, and under-resourced communities.
- Teachers and Educators – through training and resource support to enhance ESD delivery.
- Out-of-School Youth – including those from marginalized backgrounds, receiving training in Agroecology, sustainability, and green skills.
- Learners with Disabilities – including hearing and visually impaired youth, with inclusive teaching methods and facilitation.
- Community Members and Parents – engaged through public bush cinema events and exhibitions.
- Educational Authorities and NGOs – as partners in scaling and integrating ESD practices.
- Youth Environmental Clubs – supported as drivers of local action and peer learning.
Maximum group size:
20-24 people
Area of application:
Namibia
Time of application:
08h00-17h00 during the day session 17h00-22h00 evening session for bush cinema