Coaching in Solidarity Projects

A coach is described as a resource person who can accompany groups of young people and support their participation. Also, the coach can facilitate and foster the quality of the learning process and assist in identifying and documenting learning outcomes at the end of the project, based on the programme guide. 

What are we aiming for? 

The aim of the seminar is creating a space to explore different concepts of supporting by coaches young people carrying out the Solidarity Projects in European Solidarity Corps. 

What are our specific objectives? 

• developing a common understanding of the role and importance of the coach in the Solidarity Projects;
• emphasizing the importance of the work of coaches in Solidarity Projects and what they can bring to projects; 
• gaining basic understanding of the coaching process;
• offering a chance to practice coaching in safe environment;
• building a community of coaches;
• understanding the idea of solidarity in Solidarity Projects;
• planning next steps, transfer of the knowledge to the reality of participants.

How do we work?  

• using non-formal education approach we would like to encourage participants to share their own experiences and best practices as well as to practice various tools in the safe group environment;
• we would also like to offer a space for transfer - creating action plans on how new knowledge and skills can be incorporated into project realities.

To whom is this event addressed?  

• to youth workers and employe of supporting organisations of the Solidarity Projects (both already experienced and people who plan to start working in the field);
• volunteeers or professionals supporting young people;
• coaches of Solidarity Projects (in some countries even from specific pools of coaches).

Participants are expected to: 

• attend full duration of the seminar;  
• be fluent in English;
• be ready to implement coaching in they everyday practice.

Where and when?  

17-20.10.2023, Hotel Mercury Centrum, Warsaw 

The arrival of the participants is expected on 17th of October 2023 and departure on 20th of October 2023. 

Until 18.09.2023 You’ll recive confirmation and detailed program with info-pack 

DRAFT OF THE PROGRAMME

TUESDAY
17.10.

• 9.30-13.00 Arrival of participants
• 13.00-15.00 Lunch
• 15.00-16.30 Who is who, getting to know each other Aims, Program Intro + Expectations
• 17.00-18.30 - Clarification of the role of a coach
• 18.30 – 19.00 Past successful experience of coaching in youth work
• 19.00-20.00 – dinner
• 20:00 -21.00 - Organisations market

WEDNESDAY
18.10

• 8.00-9.00 – breakfast
• 9.30-11.00 - Difference mentoring/coaching/advising & Frame of coaching proces
• 11.00-13.00 Art of asking questions & Practice time
• 13.00-15.00 Lunch
• 15.00-16.30 Active listening & Feedback
• 17.00-18.30 Coaching practice
• 18.30-19.00 - Reflection time
• 20.00-21.00 – Dinner out

THURSDAY  
19.10   

• 8.00-9.00 – breakfast
• 9.30 – 11.00 - Solidarity Projects: Philosophy and Practicalities
• 11.00-13.00 - Working with young people: Setting goalsn & Preparing contract
• 13.00-15.00 Lunch
• 15.00-16.30 - Tips for team coaching: Motivating and supporting groups & Coaching Practice
• 17.00-18.30 - Inspiration from Poland: Solidarity Projects GUESTS
• 18.30-19.00 - Reflection time
• 19.00-20.00 – Dinner
• 20.00-21.00 Good bye and see you again party

FRIDAY
20.10.  

• 8.00-9.00 – breakfast
• 9.30 – 11.00 - Open Discussion on Future of Coaching Community
• 11.00-13.00 - "Planning next steps within ESC and Solidarity Projects Evaluation"
• 13.00-15.00 Lunch
• After 15.00 - Departure of participants

Who are the trainers?  

Agnieszka Szczepanik (PL) – coach ACC ICF, trainer active in international training and youth work for the last 20 years, cooperating with the Polish National Agency since 2007. She started working with young people as a mentor, then as a trainer and coordinator of local and international projects within the Youth in Action Programme. She completed the School of Business Trainers and Coaches and the Academy of Professional Coaching as well as a series of trainings for trainers within the framework of Erasmus+ Programme and the Visegrad Group. On the basis of her experience, she conducts training courses for youth workers, teachers "Coaching Approach in Youth Work". She is the author of publications on coaching, assertiveness, and intercultural education. She runs the on-line training "The art of asking questions". She supports young people on their path to make their dreams come true. 

Bára Rodi  (CZ) – active in international training and youth work for almost 20 years, cooperating with Czech National Agency since 2007. In 2010/11 took part in Training of Trainers (ToT) organised by SALTO.  Currently working as a free-lance trainer, facilitator and project manager in the field of education: both in youth (non-formal) and adult (also corporate sector). Her expertise with coaching tracks back to the former Youth in Action program, where she was in the pool of coaches of the Czech National Agency: supporting young people to successfully create and deliver their own local, community based projects. For the last 3 years she is delivering program called “Coaching and Mentoring for teachers” to inspire teachers to use elements of coaching in their work.