Denise De Stena

About:

Passionate, creative and grounded in non-formal education, I build safe spaces where learning becomes a personal journey. With a spark of humor, a dash of empathy, and a lot of commitment, I design tailor-made experiences that empower people to discover their potential and take charge of their own growth.

Denise De Stena has 3 references for past work as a trainer.

Denise De Stena

Contact details

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Trainer connections

Denise De Stena has no connections so far.

Current occupation

I have a VAT registration and work as a trainer and youth worker.

Work experience

I believe in the power of learning to unlock human potential.
At Strauss APS, I guide ESC volunteers on personalized learning journeys, building safe spaces for reflection, growth, and empowerment through non-formal education and coaching practices.
After participating in the second international edition of the YOCOMO Training of Trainers by SALTO in 2023, I strengthened my mission: to innovate youth work by making competence-based learning accessible, inspiring, and real.
My next steps are about pushing boundaries, building bridges, and helping young people shape their own futures with confidence.

Educational pathway

My educational background blends formal and non-formal learning experiences, each of which has been integral to my work as a trainer.
Formally, I participated in a long-term training course on coaching, which included three separate training sessions. This course deepened my understanding of coaching methodologies and how to incorporate them into my training practice, allowing me to better support personal development and self-reflection in participants.
In addition, my participation in the YOCOMO Training of Trainers, organized by SALTO, significantly enhanced my competence-based learning approach and refined my facilitation skills.
Non-formally, my 6-month volunteering experience in South America as part of an Erasmus+ KA2 project was a life-changing experience that shaped my perspective on non-formal education. It helped me gain confidence, communication skills, and a deeper appreciation for diverse learning methodologies, which I now apply in my training work.
Furthermore, my Civil Service at Strauss APS gave me the opportunity to engage in youth work at a deeper level, managing and supporting projects aimed at fostering personal growth among young people, particularly ESC volunteers.
Each of these experiences has been vital in shaping my approach to training, equipping me with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to support young people in their learning and personal development journeys.

Fields of training expertise

  • (beginner) Campaigning & Awareness Raising
  • (intermediate) Change Management
  • (beginner) Citizenship Education
  • (advanced) Coaching & Mentoring
  • (advanced) Communication Skills
  • (advanced) Conflict Management & Mediation
  • (advanced) Creativity & Art
  • (advanced) Crisis Management
  • (beginner) Diversity & Anti-Racism
  • (beginner) Drama & Theatre
  • (advanced) Education through Sports
  • (beginner) Environment & Ecology
  • (beginner) Entrepreneurship (Social)
  • (beginner) Equal Opportunities
  • (intermediate) Evaluation & Assessment
  • (intermediate) Event Management
  • (advanced) Group Dynamics & Motivation
  • (advanced) Health & Prevention
  • (beginner) Human Rights
  • (advanced) Intercultural Learning
  • (advanced) International Youth Work
  • (intermediate) Leadership Development
  • (intermediate) New Information Technologies
  • (beginner) Open Space Technology
  • (intermediate) Organizational Management
  • (advanced) Outdoor & Experiential Training
  • (beginner) People Management & Cooperation
  • (advanced) Personal Development & Empowerment
  • (beginner) Public Relations & Marketing
  • (intermediate) Public Speaking
  • (advanced) Recognition of NFLearning
  • (beginner) Social Inclusion & Exclusion
  • (intermediate) Social Media
  • (beginner) Storytelling & Humour
  • (beginner) Time Management
  • (intermediate) Training of Trainers
  • (advanced) Volunteer Programmes
  • (advanced) Youth Exchanges
  • (intermediate) Youth Information Work
  • (beginner) Youth Participation & Initiatives
  • (advanced) Youth Worker Training

Knowledge about institutions and programmes

  • (advanced) Erasmus+ (KA1) Youth Exchanges
  • (advanced) Erasmus+ (KA1) Training & Networking
  • (intermediate) Erasmus+ (KA2) Transnational Youth Initiatives
  • (intermediate) Erasmus+ (KA2) Strategic Partnerships
  • (intermediate) Erasmus+ (KA2) Capacity Building (other countries in the World)
  • (intermediate) Erasmus+ (KA3) Youth Policy Meetings
  • (advanced) European Solidarity Corps Volunteering
  • (advanced) Erasmus+ (lifelong learning, non-youth)

Working with specific target groups

  • (advanced) Children
  • (advanced) Families
  • (beginner) Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender work
  • (advanced) Intercultural Teams
  • (advanced) Marginalized & Excluded Youth
  • (beginner) Men's Issues & Groups
  • (intermediate) Minorities
  • (intermediate) Women's Issues & Groups
  • (beginner) Young People with a Mental Disability
  • (beginner) Young People with a Physical Disability
  • (beginner) Young People with a Sensory Disability

Experience with specific geographical regions

  • (beginner) Africa
  • (beginner) Asia
  • (advanced) Eastern Europe and Caucasus
  • (advanced) Euro-Mediterranean Co-operation
  • (advanced) European Cooperation
  • (advanced) Global Cooperation
  • (advanced) Latin America

Other skills

I’ve developed a mix of skills that really help me in my role as a trainer. Through a long-term coaching course, I’ve learned how to guide people’s personal growth with a more tailored approach. My 6-month volunteering experience in South America helped me build adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. At Strauss APS, I’ve gained practical experience managing projects and facilitating training. I’ve also worked on creating digital learning tools, combining interactive and traditional methods. Above all, I’ve developed strong empathy and listening skills, which help me create a safe and inclusive space for everyone to learn.

Language Skills

  • (fluent) English
  • (fluent) Italian
  • (beginner) Portuguese
  • (fluent) Spanish

Trainer references

  • ESC, Volunteering 4Peace

    Validated (2025-04-30)
    The training activity took place
    in Villanova y la geltru, Spain
    organised by FCV • Fundació Catalunya Voluntària
    13th-18th of October 2024
    Reference person

    Lluc Martí

    (Project coordinator and trainer)
    If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in.
  • CTRL-M:Mapping a Mentoring Memory

    Validated (2025-04-30)
    The training activity took place
    in Nicolosi, Italy
    organised by Strauss APS
    23rd - 30th of November 2024
    Reference person

    Mario Messina

    (Project coordinator)
    If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in.
  • BLINK OF AN I

    Validated (2025-04-30)
    The training activity took place
    in Nicolosi, Italy
    organised by Strauss APS
    3rd - 9th of April 2025
    Reference person

    Mario Messina

    (Project coordinator)
    If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in.

This profile was last modified on 2025-05-08

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