NON-FORMAL METHODS LAB

During the training course, participants will learn many effective methods of working with groups that prove useful in international youth exchanges, international training courses, as well as in your local work with young people and adults. Experienced trainers and facilitators will show you the most effective methods of integration, team building, evaluation, and reflection in group work. Moreover, participants will discover methods that are effective and engaging:

Living history lesson - It is a meeting with a person, a witness to important historical events that influenced his or her life. The essence of the meeting is not to learn about important historical events in a general sense, but to focus on the fate of an individual in an interesting, often tragic situation in the history of the world. A typical structure of work on a Living History Lesson is as follows: preparation of a senior’s biography; developing questions for a senior based on the biography; logistical preparation of the meeting; meeting with the senior; development of the collected material; dissemination of the results of the work.

Graffiti - Working with graffiti can be used in many different ways during projects. You will take part in workshops that will show you how to use graffiti in working with groups. Artistic talent is not necessary to use this method. There are techniques suitable for all participants that allow everyone to express themselves and discuss topics during your work with a group. You will also learn how to prepare a budget for the materials needed to implement such workshops.

Handicraft - During our training course, you will also spend one day taking part in proven and effective handicraft workshops that our organisation uses in group work while working on various topics. The workshops will be conducted in a way that will allow you to independently facilitate them in your everyday work with groups after completing the training course.

Study visits - We will visit three places in our region that are connected to the methods presented during the training course. Participants will have the opportunity to see our local activities in practice, meet our experts, talk with them, and ask questions.

Objectives of the Training Course:

• To expand participants’ knowledge and practical skills in using non-formal education methods in group work.
• To introduce participants to effective methods of integration, team building, evaluation, and reflection used in international and local educational activities.
• To provide participants with hands-on experience in using methods such as Living History Lessons, graffiti-based education, and handicraft workshops.
• To strengthen participants’ ability to consciously select educational methods according to the needs of a target group and learning objectives.
• To develop participants’ competencies in planning, facilitating, and implementing educational activities in their own organisations.
• To increase participants’ understanding of how local initiatives and study visits can support non-formal learning processes.
• To encourage the exchange of experiences, peer learning, and the sharing of good practices among youth workers and trainers from different countries.
• To improve participants’ intercultural communication, cooperation, and networking skills in an international environment.
• To create opportunities for building long-term international partnerships and future cooperation within Erasmus+ Youth projects.
• To inspire participants to transfer and apply newly acquired methods and approaches in their everyday work with young people and adults.