Wise Elders Village

Wise Elders Village is an experiential Erasmus+ training course for youth workers who long to rediscover one of humanity’s oldest ways of accompanying growth: the village.

There was a time when every young person crossed life’s thresholds held by community, ceremony, and the wisdom of Elders. Today, many of these rites of passage have disappeared, leaving young people to navigate profound transitions alone. Wise Elders Village is an invitation to remember how communities can once again become places where belonging is cultivated, unique gifts are witnessed, and young people are supported in becoming fully human. 

During seven days immersed in the wilderness of Southern Italy, participants will not simply learn new methodologies. They will experience from within a contemporary village inspired by rites of passage, discovering what it means to be held by community before learning how to hold others in return. 

The training weaves together nature connection, the Way of Council, ceremony, symbolic work, embodiment, storytelling, silence, community practices, and a 24-hour solo threshold in nature, rooted in the contemporary tradition of rites of passage. Rather than transmitting techniques, the course invites participants to embody these practices so they may accompany young people with greater presence, discernment, and wisdom. 

At the heart of the journey lies the question:

How can we become the villages our young people have been longing for?

By remembering the role of the Elder—not as someone who possesses answers, but as one who knows how to witness, listen deeply, hold community, and bless the unique path of each young person.

The experience culminates in a 24-hour solo threshold in nature, offering participants the opportunity to cross their own symbolic passage before returning to the village carrying the gifts discovered along the way. 

Beyond the residential training, participants will engage in a preparation phase before arrival and will be invited to bring the learning back into their own communities through at least one local dissemination action, ensuring that the experience continues to ripple outward long after the training has ended. 

GUIDES OF THE PROGRAM

Sandra Horea

Sandra is a human development guide and mentor who wholeheartedly invites people into intimate and meaningful conversations with their Soul. She creates spaces where nature, symbol, imagination, and deep listening become pathways toward remembering one’s unique gifts. Drawing from eco-depth psychology, soul-based practices, and years of experience accompanying transformative journeys, she supports people in becoming more fully themselves. She is a graduate of Bill Plotkin’s Wild Mind Program and SAIP – Soulcraft Apprenticeship and Initiation Program at the Animas Valley Institute (USA). 

Annarita Falanga

Annarita is a psychologist devoted to reviving rites of passage and the villages that have long held them. Rooted in the teachings of the School of Lost Borders and Bill Plotkin’s Nature-Based Human Development Model, she accompanies people through nature, ceremony, and community, trusting that every meaningful transition carries gifts waiting to be offered back to the world. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Who can participate?

The training is open to youth workers, educators, teachers, facilitators, psychologists, mentors, coaches, social workers, and other professionals working with young people.

Participants must:

• be at least 18 years old;
• have a good level of English;
• have legal residency in Italy, Romania, Spain, Latvia, Czechia, or Cyprus;
• be willing to engage fully in an experiential learning journey and to bring its learning back into their own communities. 

What are the costs?

Accommodation, food, materials, and all training activities are fully covered by the Erasmus+ programme.

Travel costs will be reimbursed according to Erasmus+ distance bands and the limits specified for each partner country after the successful completion of the project requirements.

Participants are also invited to make a voluntary donation (80–120 €) to support future youth projects organised by Revolution Hub APS. The donation is completely optional and does not influence participation in any way. 

When and where?

• 5 October 2026 – Arrival
• 6–12 October 2026 – Training Course
• 13 October 2026 – Departure

The training will take place in Centola (Cilento National Park, Southern Italy), surrounded by Mediterranean forests and close to the sea, offering an ideal environment for nature-based learning and rites of passage. 

How to travel?

Detailed travel information, recommended connections, reimbursement procedures, and shuttle service instructions will be shared with all selected participants after the selection process.

Whenever possible, we encourage participants to choose environmentally friendly means of transport such as trains, buses, or carpooling.

Health Insurance

Participants are responsible for arranging their own health insurance for the duration of their stay in Italy.

Food

Three vegetarian meals per day, together with snacks, fruit, coffee, tea, and water, will be provided throughout the training.

Please inform us in advance about any allergies, intolerances, or dietary requirements.

To support the quality of the group experience, the training will remain alcohol- and drug-free throughout the programme.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please complete the online Application Form and carefully read the Info Pack before submitting your application.

Applications close on 16 August 2026.