Training course “101 First STOP-Emotional intelligence in NFE”

This training course offers youth workers the opportunity to deepen their understanding of emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning (SEL) within youth work and non-formal education contexts, and to strengthen their capacity to create emotionally safe, reflective, and supportive learning environments for young people. Through non-formal education and experiential learning approaches, participants will explore key concepts such as self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, stress management, supportive relationships, and the learning brain, while gaining insight into practical models and tools that promote positive mental health.

The course places strong emphasis on the role of youth workers as facilitators of emotionally intelligent learning processes. Participants will examine how educational activities can be designed and facilitated in a responsible and inclusive way, with particular attention to building trust, creating group alliance, managing conflict constructively, and supporting young people in dealing with fear, anger, and stress. By combining theoretical input with structured reflection and personal experience, the training supports participants in critically analysing their own emotional patterns, facilitation styles, and professional practices.

Going beyond theory, the training course is highly participatory and practice-oriented. Participants will engage in interactive workshops, small-group design sessions, and hands-on activities focused on applying SEL principles in youth work. Special focus will be placed on developing concrete educational activities and workshop designs that integrate emotional intelligence into everyday practice. By the end of the course, participants will have strengthened their facilitation competences, developed practical activity concepts, and gained tools and strategies to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience among young people in their communities.

The training course is developed in line with Youth Goal 5: Mental Health & Wellbeing, and contributes to:

Encouraging the development of self-awareness and less competitive mindsets by fostering appreciation for individual skills and strengths.

Providing all professionals working with young people as well as family and friends with quality mental health first aid training.

Fighting stigma about mental health issues by developing awareness programmes.

The training course is grounded in non-formal education principles and experiential learning approaches. The programme is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools needed to understand emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning (SEL), support positive mental health, and integrate emotionally responsive educational practices into youth work contexts.

The initial phase of the training focuses on building a safe and supportive learning environment, fostering trust among participants, and creating a strong sense of group cohesion. During the first days, participants will engage in activities that explore similarities and differences, group alliance, and emotional safety. They will be introduced to the foundations of emotional intelligence, the STOP approach, and the role of emotions in learning processes. This phase also includes reflection on country realities related to wellbeing and mental health support programmes, as well as the connection between supportive relationships and the learning brain.

As the training progresses, participants will deepen their understanding of core SEL components, including self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, anger management, stress-regulation techniques, and social conflict management. Through practical workshops and reflective exercises, they will strengthen their facilitation competences and explore methods for creating emotionally safe(r) learning spaces. Particular attention is given to constructive handling of tensions, supporting young people in challenging emotional situations, and integrating mental health-sensitive approaches into non-formal education activities.

In the later stages of the programme, participants will focus on applying their learning through workshop design and experiential learning cycles. Working in teams, they will develop educational activities that integrate emotional intelligence into youth work practice. By applying experiential learning principles, they will design reflective, inclusive, and practical activity concepts tailored to their local contexts. On the final day, 

participants will engage in structured reflection and evaluation of their learning journey, and their achievements will be recognised through the Youthpass ceremony, supporting further professional development and transfer of competences into their everyday youth work practice.