TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
http://trainers.salto-youth.net/KristinaZimaj/
Kristina Zimaj
Chevening alumna, passionate about lifelong learning, and intercultural dialogue. I have been coordinator, project writer, trainer, consultant and researcher in non-formal education, international youth work, culture and capacity building programs. I joined the EU youth programs, ESC and E+ Youth, first as a EuroPeer—then as a YE leader, ESC coordinator, Quality Label assessor, researcher, mentor, and trainer allowing me to understand the programs from various angels working with NAs and NGOs.
Kristina Zimaj has 4 references for past work as a trainer.
Contact details
Trainer connections
-
Henk Persyn -
Spela Gorjan -
Lea Kovic -
Kalle Ristikartano -
Anna Yeghoyan -
Salvi Greco -
Elena Torelli -
Bruno Pizzini -
Marzena Ples -
Silvia Crocitta
Current occupation
Freelance consultant in international youth work
Work experience
In recent years, I have been actively engaged in international youth work and capacity building through various training and research roles. I recently served as a Junior Trainer and Rapporteur for SALTO South East Europe’s TEC Meeting, where I co-designed and facilitated training sessions for ESC Coordinators from the Western Balkans and Slovenia, and drafted the final activity report. As a member of the Council of Europe's Pool of Trainers, I support educational activities focused on non-formal intercultural learning and human rights education.
I have also been delivering trainings under the Community Leadership Academy (CLA) in Kosovo, facilitating modules on community development and civic engagement, following my participation in their Training of Trainers programme. As part of the "Building the Balkans" initiative, I developed and implemented sessions on leadership, decision-making, and project management for youth from the region.
Previously, I facilitated training with JEF Europe in Brussels on topics such as democratic activism, youth participation, and civic space. I continue to contribute to youth policy and local youth work development as part of the Pool of Experts and Trainers on Youth Participation with the Estonian National Agency for Erasmus+ and ESC, and as an Advisor for the Europe Goes Local programme. My upcoming work includes continued research and facilitation as a Data Analyst Expert for the Erasmus+ funded WE ARE HER project, which focuses on gender equality and youth work development in six Mediterranean countries.
Earlier in my career, at Anibar in Kosovo, I led fundraising efforts for the international animation film festival and coordinated capacity-building programs for cultural workers. I also initiated and managed several international youth programmes under Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, combining cultural development with non-formal education. This experience laid a strong foundation for my ongoing work at the intersection of youth, culture, and international cooperation.
Available downloads:
Educational pathway
Formally, I hold an MSc in International Development Management from the University of Westminster, where my thesis explored the impact of non-formal education on youth employability.
Non-formally, I’ve participated in around 20 international training courses in youth work, including three Training of Trainers programs. These experiences were crucial for developing my facilitation skills, understanding learner-centered methodologies, and building a strong European network of youth practitioners.
Fields of training expertise
-
Coaching & Mentoring -
Creativity & Art
-
Entrepreneurship (Social)
-
Evaluation & Assessment
-
Event Management -
Fundraising
-
Global Education -
International Youth Work
-
Leadership Development
-
Organizational Management
-
Personal Development & Empowerment
-
Project Management
-
Recognition of NFLearning
-
Volunteer Programmes
-
Youth Exchanges
-
Youth Participation & Initiatives
-
Youth Worker Training
Knowledge about institutions and programmes
-
Erasmus+ (KA1) Youth Exchanges
-
Erasmus+ (KA1) Training & Networking
-
Erasmus+ (KA2) Capacity Building (other countries in the World)
-
European Solidarity Corps Volunteering
-
Youth Partnership CoE-COM
-
United Nations
Working with specific target groups
-
Intercultural Teams
-
Minorities
-
Young People in/from Conflict Areas
Experience with specific geographical regions
-
Euro-Mediterranean Co-operation
-
Global Cooperation
-
South East Europe
Language Skills
-
English
Other languages
Albanian
Trainer references
-
Training and Evaluation Cycle (TEC) Meeting for coordinators of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) program from Slovenia and the countries of the Western Balkans
Validated (2025-05-28)Reference person
Andrej Troha
(Organizer)If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in. -
Regional Training on Youth Civic Spaces - Western Balkans
Validated (2025-09-05)Reference person
Brigita Krasniqi
(Organizer)If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in. -
Academy of Language and Culture (AoLC)
Validated (2025-05-28)Reference person
Alba Jakupi
(Programme Manager)If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in. -
Youth Connect for Creating Impact in Society
Validated (2025-05-30)Reference person
Berna Xhemajli
(Organizer)If you want to contact reference persons, you have to be signed in.
This profile was last modified on 2025-09-02