ToT-Ally Diverse: A long term Training of Trainers with diverse abilities 2025-2026, 01.11.-07.11.2025 | Weimar (Germany), 20.04.-26.04.2026 | Hondarribi (Spain) & early summer 2026 | TBD (Slovenia)

Background

The "Training of Trainers" (ToT) course – the most important training programme for trainers in the youth field in Europe – has been organized for over 20 years by SALTO in cooperation with the National Agencies within the framework of Erasmus+ Youth. Over the years, it has trained more than 500 European trainers. However, to date, only a few persons with disabilities have participated in the programme. The entry requirements for the ToT course are high, even for individuals with substantial experience in youth work and non-formal education. As a result, the course remains largely inaccessible to many people with disabilities, who often have not had the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and competences to meet the eligibility criteria for participation.

Aims & objectives:

The project aims to develop a tailored methodological framework that responds directly to the specific needs of people with diverse abilities, enabling their training as youth trainers—not through adaptation of existing models, but through inclusive design from the outset. Grounded in the ETS competence model, this approach seeks to strengthen inclusion and diversity in European youth work.

In detail, the objectives of the project are:

• Develop competencies of trainers specifically with a diverse background in terms of abilities, increasing their representation in the training field.
• Develop an Inclusive Training Framework, with its methodology and tools, based on the ETS competence model for trainers;
• Increase quality, quantity, accessibility and inclusion of the non-formal education field in Europe;
• Align with and promote the message the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The project is guided by the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity Road Map, aiming to create inclusive training spaces where trainers with diverse abilities are not only participants but active members of the trainer teams (see below). This strengthens diversity in European youth work by ensuring meaningful representation and promoting collaboration between participants, their organisations, National Agencies, and other stakeholders. Universal design principles, personal support (e.g. assistants, interpreters), and accessible environments are central to making participation possible for all. Special attention is paid to inclusive communication, avoiding stereotypes and promoting respectful representation. Aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the project respects every individual’s autonomy, dignity, and right to make their own decisions. It ensures that all involved — from trainers to venue staff — uphold these principles, creating a learning environment where equal participation and self-determination are actively supported, particularly for young women with disabilities who may face intersectional discrimination.

Target Group:

This activity is targeted at 12 participants from Erasmus+ programme countries (18+) with diverse abilities (sensorial, organic, physical, intellectual...) eager to become trainers in the framework of non-formal education. Participants have to present a disability certificate for eligibility purposes. Participants should have, at least, a minimum understanding & previous participation in international youth work activities as well as the ability of attending and communicating in English and/or International Signs System. Participants are expected to participate in all three events.

Phases & activities planned

Online on-boarding phase.

Preparatory phase: Self-assessment on learning needs.

Residential activity (A1) in Weimar (Germany), 01.-07.11.2025, including: 

• Non formal education principles as a relationship work; 
• Introduction to ETS Competence Model for trainers; 
• Identify needs, competency gaps; 
• Setting learning goals (what and who can support the individual learning process);
• Creation of teams.

Online phase 2: Co-creation of the second seminar; Self-Directed Learning.

Residential activity (A2) in Hondarribi (Spain), 20.-26.04.2026, including:

• Programme planned and facilitated with participants; 
• Competences development; 
• Competences based approach; 
• Collaborating in teams.

Online phase 3: reflection over the co-creation part.

Activity 3 in Slovenia, early summer 2026 (TBD), including:

• Learning in practice; 
• Harvesting learnings; 
• Setting future learning goals.
• What’s next?

Evaluation phase: organisations and participants.