Youth leadership: managing the invisible

This training course is designed for group leaders, youth workers, facilitators, and project coordinators who directly work with (or through their work there is possibility that they will have participants with health obstacles) young people living with chronic health conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), diabetes, Crohn’s disease, lupus, endometriosis, thyroid conditions, and similar long-term illnesses.

Many chronic health conditions are invisible. A person may appear perfectly healthy while, in reality, managing constant pain, fatigue, brain fog, fluctuating energy levels, strict medical routines, or the risk of sudden and sometimes life-threatening medical emergencies. These conditions often shape every decision a person makes — from participation in activities and travel to rest, nutrition, stress management, and social interaction — while remaining unseen by others.

Leading inclusive groups in such contexts requires specialised skills, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence. However, many youth workers and coordinators lack basic knowledge, confidence, or practical tools to adequately support participants facing health-related obstacles. This can unintentionally lead to exclusion, misunderstanding, unsafe situations, or emotional harm — both for participants and for those leading the group.

This training addresses that gap by equipping participants with the competences needed to successfully lead diverse groups, ensure safety and wellbeing, and create inclusive learning environments where young people with health obstacles can participate fully and with dignity.

A key element of the training is the intentional bringing together of participants with lived experience of chronic health conditions and those without. This creates space for first-hand knowledge sharing, empathy-building, and meaningful dialogue. The programme is built around case-study-based workshops, simulations, and practical scenarios drawn from real youth work, mobility projects, and residential activities. These methods train participants to think proactively and responsibly — anticipating needs, responding to medical and emotional situations, communicating respectfully, managing risk, and supporting both participants and themselves as lead

Venue: Durdevac, Croatia
Dates: November 2026
Conditions: 3 participants, 18+ per partner organisation. If possible, the team needs to have participants with any chronic health condition.