EYE Opener - Training Course On Empowerment in Youth Exchanges

About the training

EYE Opener is an international training course for youth workers and young people who want to plan and implement high-quality Erasmus+ youth exchanges.

The course helps you explore what quality means in a youth exchange and gives you the chance to start developing real project ideas with possible partners. The aim is to prepare teams to confidently apply for the next Erasmus+ deadline.

PLEASE NOTE: This training is for teams of a youth worker + 1-2 young people from the same organisation. You cannot apply as an individual.

Target group

We especially welcome organisations working with young people from migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker backgrounds. Our goal is to support their active participation and help them connect with peers across borders.

Teams with this background will be prioritised in the participant selection.

Active methods and involvement of young people

The programme is based on learning-by-doing. You’ll take part in simulations, games, info sessions, workshops, reflection and feedback activities – some outdoors.

Having young people in the training adds a powerful dynamic. They gain hands-on experience, and teams learn better ways to collaborate across roles.

Sessions will be tailored: some for the whole group, others split by role (youth worker/young person). Young people will work on planning the project and youth workers learn how to support them. This encourages productive cooperation between young people and youth workers.

Objectives of the training

We would like to:

• Present what Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges are
• Offer a practical group experience in setting up a youth exchange
• Explore skills and competences for creating quality projects
• Deepen understanding of non-formal learning and youth participation
• Clarify the group leader's role in youth learning
• Strengthen young people’s involvement in planning exchanges
• Help participants find future international partners
• Promote equal partnerships between young people and organisations

Who can participate?

You apply as a team from one organisation and you send in only one application on behalf of the team.

The ADULT LEADER (over 18 years old)

• Responsible for underage team members
• Works directly with young people and is committed to supporting a future exchange
• One adult is required, two possible if justified.

The YOUNG PERSON:  (15-18 years old)

• Is interested in planning and organising a future youth exchange
• Team can have 1 or 2 young participants.
• Guardian’s consent is needed for underaged participants.

Both youth workers and young people will be expected to communicate in English (with peer support if needed).

Because of underage participants and the legislation of the hosting country it is forbidden to use alcohol or other intoxicants during the activity.

Venue

The training takes place at Ankkapurha Youth Centre near Kouvola. https://www.ankkapurha.fi/en/

Accommodation is in shared rooms.

There will be a bus from Kouvola (1.5 hrs from Helsinki-Vantaa airport).

Background

This training is part of the Strategic Partnership for Inclusion (SPI), under the strand “Young people facing barriers in a post-migration society.”
More about SPI: SALTO-YOUTH - About the Strategic Partnership for Inclusion