Bridging to Brighter Days: Non-formal Education and Mental Health in Youth (Training for Youth Workers)

Since 1991, the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation (RAA) has been a driving force in improving the lives of vulnerable individuals by delivering direct services and empowering the professionals who support them. With a mission to build a fair and inclusive future for every child, youth, and adult, RAA creates sustainable and impactful interventions across education, healthcare, and social inclusion.

RAA has earned national recognition as a leading training provider, known for its innovative use of technology and non-formal education methodologies. In fact, RAA was the first organization in Romania to develop e-learning tools for medical professionals, and it has since expanded its educational reach by designing more than 30 specialized training packages for teachers, psychologists, physicians, and social workers—training over 10,000 professionals to date.

In the field of education, RAA has been a pioneer in supporting schools to better include children with special educational needs. Since 2004, more than 7,000 teachers have benefited from RAA’s training, helping them create more inclusive, supportive learning environments. The foundation has also played a leading role in advocating for children with autism, helping to establish and represent the Romanian Autism Federation (FEDRA) nationally and internationally.

RAA’s commitment to education goes beyond formal institutions. In recent years, its focus on youth work has grown substantially. The opening of its Youth Center in Bucharest in 2022 marked a new chapter in its mission—one that prioritizes young people’s emotional well-being and development. In just two years, the center has engaged over 2,100 Romanian and Ukrainian youth in non-formal workshops, volunteering, and personal development programs.

Through strategic partnerships across Europe—with organizations in countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Turkey—RAA has co-developed tools and platforms that enrich youth work and education. One of its most significant contributions is the e-learning platform elearning.raa.ro, which hosts free resources in 13 languages and serves professionals from across the continent. This includes materials developed through flagship Erasmus+ projects such as gamED, SPASD, and HEDY, all of which are designed to strengthen the competencies of those working with children and youth.

This training course, “Bridging to Brighter Days,” is a natural extension of RAA’s longstanding mission. It combines the foundation’s expertise in non-formal education, mental health, and youth work to equip youth workers with the skills and confidence to address today’s urgent mental health challenges among young people. Participants will benefit from RAA’s extensive experience, rich network of professionals, and commitment to creating inclusive, impactful educational spaces where both facilitators and youth can thrive.