PANAGIOTIS KALAITZIS

Educational pathway

Integrated Master Of Forestry & Natural Environment | Democritus University of Thrace 2020-2025
My background is:
-Forest ecology, silviculture, and forest protection
-Forest sustainable management, planning, and policy recommendation
-Biodiversity conservation and sustainable development
-Soil science, hydrology, and watershed management
-Environmental impact assessment and natural resource economics
-GIS & AutoCAD applications, remote sensing in forestry
-Fieldwork, data analysis, and applied research methodologies
-Paper thesis: Autonomous artificial intelligence systems for flood prevention and management after forest fires.
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Adult Educator | National Organisation for the Certification of Qualification & Vocational Guidance 2025
Certified in:
-Adult learning theories
-Design and implementation of training sessions for adults
-Use of non-formal and experiential learning methods
-Communication and facilitation techniques
-Assessment of learners needs and learning styles
-Group dynamics and managing diverse learners
-Adapting to different categories of learners (backgrounds, levels, needs)
-Development of educational materials
-Monitoring and evaluation of learning outcomes
-Empowering and motivating adult learners
-Inclusive, learner-centered education approach
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Trainings & Training of Trainers - Council of Europe & EU funded | 2020 - present
Completed 40+ international and national trainings, TCs, and ToTs focused on non-formal education, facilitation, experiential learning, youth participation, active citizenship, and EU project design.

Key competencies gained:
-Designed and facilitated inclusive, participatory, learner-centered programs for youth and adults
-Applied experiential learning cycles, reflection tools, and human rights-based approaches to foster engagement and critical thinking
-Developed counter-narrative strategies and practical interventions to address hate speech, digital activism, and social inclusion
-Built capacity in youth participation, civic engagement, community empowerment, and peer mentoring
-Gained practical skills in project design, proposal writing, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for EU-funded initiatives
-Applied intersectional, diversity-conscious, and learner-centered approaches to manage diverse groups and learning needs
-Integrated digital facilitation tools, intergenerational learning techniques, and emotional intelligence strategies into educational activities
-Developed strategies for sustainability, long-term impact, and follow-up action planning
-Practiced co-creation and participatory methodologies, engaging participants in program development and local/community adaptation
-Learned to adapt content for multiple formats: workshops, seminars, peer-to-peer training, and blended learning

Selected Trainings & ToTs (with dates):
-TC Essentials of Non-Formal Education | Council of Europe (Feb 2023) 
Core NFE principles, inclusive learning, and facilitation fundamentals
-ToT Counter Narratives to Hate Speech | Council of Europe (Jan 2024)
Designing workshops, digital safety, media literacy, and human rights education
-TC The Power of Non-Formal Education | National Agency Erasmus+ (Mar 2024)
Advanced experiential methodologies and youth-centered program design
-TC Facilitator’s Journey | NGO Erasmus+ (Apr 2024)
Personal facilitation skills, group dynamics, and learner-centered approaches
-ToT Crack the Cycle – Experiential Learning | NGO Erasmus+ (May 2024)
Advanced design of learning cycles and reflection tools
-TC Sustainable | National Agency Erasmus+ (Oct 2025)
Integration of environmental awareness and sustainability into NFE programs
-TC Diving into Youth Participation | NGO Erasmus+ (Nov 2025)
Tools for engagement, active citizenship, and youth empowerment
-ToT Designing Educational Programmes | NGO Erasmus+ (Dec 2025)
Theorytical program design, planning, implementation, and evaluation
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European Climate Pact Ambassador | European Commission (2023 – Present)

-Committed to advancing climate action at local, national, and European levels
-Actively engaged in shaping youth climate policy through collaboration with national and EU stakeholders
-Designed and implemented local awareness events, workshops, and discussion panels to encourage youth participation in climate initiatives
-Participated in online sessions, webinars, and roundtables, contributing to EU-level discussions on sustainability, climate justice, and youth engagement
-Advocated for sustainable practices to policymakers and authorities, promoting systemic change
-Presented in the Ministry of Education pilot actions to integrate environmental awareness activities in schools
-Facilitated peer-to-peer learning and youth-led initiatives, fostering engagement, empowerment, and active citizenship
-Developed strategies to connect local actions with European policy priorities for maximum impact
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Youth Member | ActionAid Hellas Thessaloniki (2020 – present)

-Contributed to Erasmus+ KA3 projects (YouRoTrip, ActJust), supporting youth training on climate change, environmental sustainability, and climate justice
-Represented youth-led initiatives at European Parliament (Brussels) and UNODC (Vienna), advocating for youth participation and climate action policies
-Presented policy proposals and recommendations to MEP Stelios Kympouropoulos and international policymakers during EU/UN youth hackathons
-Served as Youth Leader in local and regional actions, including Ecofeminism camps, youth climate workshops, community clean-ups, awareness campaigns, youth festivals, and specifically the 1st Hoppy Festival
-Designed and facilitated experiential workshops on inclusion, sustainability, and active citizenship
-Developed and pitched innovative sustainability-focused ideas in hackathons, securing project funding

Relevant Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=6Jw02kp6IWPflHV7&v=8TW6VcyfKw8&feature=youtu.be
https://youthcentre.actionaid.gr/yourotrip