Melt the Ice! Building Intergenerational Bridges

Are you passionate about strengthening your community? Curious about how different generations can learn from each other? Do you want to bring fresh inspiration back to your local Naturefriends group or organisation? 

Look no further and join IYNF in Lahti, Finland next year for Melt the Ice! Building Intergenerational Bridges

This five-day training brings together participants of different ages, backgrounds and experiences to explore how intergenerational cooperation can become a driving force for inclusive, vibrant and future-oriented organisations.

Today’s communities face a growing generational gap: differences in communication, expectations and values can easily lead to misunderstandings. At the same time, each generation carries unique strengths and perspectives. In this training, we will look at how youth work and non-formal education can turn these differences into shared learning, stronger organisations and a greater sense of belonging.

Through outdoor activities and non-formal educational methods, we will:

• reflect on generational identities and experiences
• practice communication and conflict navigation in mixed-age groups
• try out practical methods that participants can replicate in their own local context
• design small local actions and micro-projects that support intergenerational cooperation
• start developing a simple guideline to support this work beyond the training

By the end of the week, participants are expected to act as multipliers: bringing back ideas, tools and inspiration to strengthen intergenerational work in their youth organisations, Naturefriends groups and local communities.

Who is this training for?
The course is aimed at:

• young people (16+), youth workers and adult volunteers active in youth organisations
• Naturefriends and local multipliers interested in community life and intergenerational activities
• people involved in non-formal education who want to integrate intergenerational perspectives into their work

No previous experience in this topic is required – just curiosity, openness and the willingness to take part in group and outdoor activities.

Applicants must be residents or nationals of the following EU or neighbouring countries: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Spain)