Trainer’s Community Lab

International Youth Work Trainers Guild invites you to participate in the Trainer’s Community Lab, which is organised as part of our Erasmus+ accreditation approved by the German National Agency.
The Lab directly contributes to the Guild’s long‑term strategy to support trainers’ professional development and community‑building at European level.

Objectives:

• Explore and critically reflect on the concept of “community”, translating insights to youth work trainers’ realities at local, national and European levels.​
• Analyse the existing ecosystems of support for trainers in the European youth field.​
• Identify what is needed for youth work trainers to develop a global “community” in order to provide appropriate recognition, support and professional development.
• Co‑design and test concrete prototypes* that can feed into European‑level support and recognition systems for trainers in line with and building on the European Training Strategy.

*(e.g. community rituals, communication channels, peer‑support formats, recognition, strategies and/or advocacy actions)

Preliminary programme:

Day 1: Initiation, introductions, and inspiration through village community exploration.
Day 2: Map trainer community needs/gaps.
Day 3: Ideation & prototyping in groups.
Day 4: Prototype testing, peer feedback.
Day 5: Reviews, presentations, closure.

Please note that the programme will be adapted according to the needs and contributions of selected participants

Participant Profile

• Individuals currently working as trainers/facilitators* with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
• We welcome a balanced mix of senior, mid-career, and newcomer trainers, fostering intergenerational learning and inclusiveness across all experience levels in the youth work sector.
• Members of pools of trainers of European and/or national youth networks and institutions (including pool coordinators).

* The Trainer in the field of youth is defined as someone “who shapes, guides and accompanies the learning processes of individuals or groups. Trainers design and implement educational activities based on the values and principles of youth work and non-formal learning; they create conditions that promote the learners’ individual development, and they shape the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary for youth work”

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum age: 18 years.
• Language: Participants must have a good working knowledge of English.
• Residency: Applicants must reside in one of the eligible countries (please review the call for the complete list).
• Available to participate the entire duration of the Lab. 

Apply now using the application form https://forms.gle/QBYYH2vRqURamBwy9 

Team of Trainers

Bruno Pizzini (HU) Nik Paddison (ME)