Cool Facilitators

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAINING COURSE

Facilitating youth exchanges in 2026 means working with a generation that is constantly connected, highly informed—and increasingly influenced by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

So where does that leave the facilitator?

“Cool Facilitators” is an 8-day training course bringing together 20 facilitators, youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, and volunteers to rethink what facilitation means in a rapidly evolving digital world.

While AI and digital tools are already shaping how young people learn, communicate, and engage, many facilitation approaches have not yet caught up. This often leads to a gap between the realities of participants and the learning experiences we create.

This training responds directly to that gap.

Instead of competing with technology, participants will explore how AI can become a meaningful support tool—for engagement, reflection, and learning—while keeping human connection, participation, and authentic interaction at the core of the process.
 

AIM

The aim of the training course is to strengthen the competences of facilitators and youth workers to design and implement Erasmus+ youth exchanges that effectively combine AI and digital tools with participatory, face-to-face non-formal learning, enhancing the quality and relevance of learning experiences.
 

OBJECTIVES

O1: Foster the exchange of experiences and good practices among participants on how to integrate AI and digital tools into facilitation processes in youth exchanges.

O2: Explore innovative approaches to designing non-formal learning programmes that respond to the digital realities of young people, combining technology with meaningful social interaction.

O3: Develop a shared approach and practical recommendations for using AI, digital tools, and face-to-face methods across all phases of youth exchanges: preparation, implementation, and follow-up.
 

TARGET GROUP

• The target group for this training course includes youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, youth project managers, and volunteers who are involved in, or plan to be involved in, the design and implementation of Erasmus+ youth exchanges, and who want to strengthen the quality, learning design, and impact of their youth exchanges.
• Residents of European Union Member States and third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme.

RESULTS AND IMPACT

By the end of the course, each participant will have a clear and practical approach to integrating AI and digital tools into their facilitation practice—while maintaining meaningful human connection at the core of learning.

Participants will strengthen their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to design and facilitate youth exchanges that combine digital innovation with engaging face-to-face non-formal education, responding to the real needs and realities of young people.

Together, we will co-create practical facilitation methods, tools, and recommendations for “cool facilitation”, ready to be applied across all phases of Erasmus+ youth exchanges—preparation, implementation, and follow-up.