NEST Training Course for ESC Lead Organisations: Risk Mitigation & Conflict Management

This activity is part of The GloRe Network (TGN) long-term plan to increase the capacity of the organisations to select and support ESC volunteers, mitigate risks and manage conflicts within the ESC sector.

The Training Course will gather mentors, tutors and staff members working directly with ESC from organisations holding the ESC Lead Organisation Quality Label. 

The meeting aims to:

• Transfer TGN’s guidelines and quality standards to mentors and tutors);

• Improve the volunteers’ recruitment and selection;

• Improve the capacity to support volunteers and to manage conflicts during the mobility;

• Improve the support to the volunteers’ learning process, by reinforcing the capacity in mentorship and the use of monitoring and recognition tools;

• Increase the visibility of the ESC programme at local level;

• Transfer the acquired knowledge and train colleagues and local partners.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the meeting, participants will:

• have strengthened their capacity to work in line with TGN guidelines and quality standards in ESC projects;
• have improved their ability to promote ESC vacancies and to manage recruitment and selection processes;
• be better prepared to support volunteers throughout the mobility, including in the prevention and management of conflicts;
• have strengthened their skills in active, empathetic listening and in building trust-based relationships with volunteers;
• have reinforced their ability to accompany volunteers’ learning processes through mentoring, monitoring and competence recognition tools;
• have strengthened their ability to support, empower, and work effectively with volunteers from diverse cultural backgrounds;
• have a better understanding of the ESC framework, including project cycles and roles (mentor, tutor, host organisation);
• be familiar with the Circle of Security framework as a practical reference for ESC mobilities;
• have gained practical experience with non-formal education methods used in youth work and training contexts;
• have developed their public speaking, facilitation, analysis, and mediation skills;
• have increased intercultural awareness, openness, and sensitivity through work in an international environment;
• be more equipped to contribute to the visibility of the European Solidarity Corps at local level;
• have enhanced their capacity to engage volunteers in dissemination activities and organise local promotional events.

Preparation and follow-up tasks:

Preparatory and follow-up tasks are an integral part of the project. All participants are expected to:

• Join 2 online preparation calls before the TC;
• Take part in 1 follow-up call after the TC;
• Train at least 2 colleagues or other local partners involved in ESC mobilities on the new learnings and methodologies acquired during the TC;
• Implement a local promotional activity on the ESC programme involving at least 10 youngsters of 18-30 years old. We will expect to receive a photographic report of each local dissemination;
• Repost/share the 2 articles on the documents created at the end of the project (ESC Quality Standards Handbook and Circle of Security Toolkit).

Methodologies:

The TC will last 6 days and will be based on non-formal education methods, systemic coaching, emotional intelligence and popular education. Activities will include knowledge and cooperation games, group work, plenary discussions, role-plays, simulations and self directed learning activities. Some methodologies come from the GloRe Toolkit, while others are based on the experience of the facilitators and previous projects.

Trainers:

• Zulema Cadenas Gago
  She is a psychologist with advanced training in systemic therapy and intercultural mediation. She has over 15 years of experience supporting individual and group empowerment processes, particularly with young people with fewer opportunities in Latin America, Africa, and currently in Asturias. She also has extensive experience as a trainer, contributing to numerous capacitybuilding programmes for professionals working in empowerment and inclusion.
   
• Tommaso Pescetto Cosentino
  He has a background in Sociology and long-standing experience in European youth programmes. He has participated in several SALTO Training Courses, including Training of Trainers programmes, and has specialised in active participation, social entrepreneurship, and project management. Since 2014, he has managed numerous KA2 and EU Aid projects, strengthened international networks, and co-founded the Italian Network for EVS Organisations (RIVE). He is also a key contributor to the GloRe concept and currently works with Associazione Joint and GloRe.