TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Mariia Herashchenko
Discuss the different realities of young people in rural and remote areas
To deepen understanding of the specific challenges faced by young people in different rural and mountainous regions
Learn from youth work practice in Tyrol: To become familiar with the diverse landscape of youth work in the Austrian region of Tyrol
Share practical approaches supporting youth transitions: To explore concrete youth work methods and programmes that support young people in navigating key life transitions and strengthening their connection to rural communities.
Strengthen professional competences in rural youth work: To develop knowledge, skills, and reflective capacities by analysing both challenges and effective practices in rural and mountainous contexts.
Exchange amongst peers and mutual learning: To create space for youth workers and municipal staff from programme and partner countries to exchange experiences, share good practices, and reflect on shared challenges.
Build sustainable networks and future cooperation: To establish professional connections and lay the groundwork for future collaboration and youth projects across rural regions in different countries.
This study visit has been developed in cooperation between OeAD | the Austrian National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps and the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre and is supported by the Strategic National Agency Cooperation Europe Goes Local and the Strategic Partnership for Inclusion.
The learning process will be facilitated by Mariia Herashchenko from Vinnytsia, Ukraine and Elisabeth Einwanger from Tyrol, Austria.
The programme is supported by several regional organisations, to whom we extend our special thanks.
The Study Visit relied mainly on non-formal and experiential learning methods, including:
Study Visits and field observation - learning directly from local youth work environments.
Learning by doing and experiencing - participants experienced places and approaches rather than only hearing about them.
Peer learning - exchange of professional experience between participants from different countries.
Group discussions and reflection circles - processing experiences and connecting them to participants' own realities.
Movement activities to connect with each other on the personal level and prepare the body for holistic learning.
Question-and-answer sessions with youth workers representing their youth centres, exploring the practical side of local youth work.
Creative observation tasks - using photography, short stories, associations and personal impressions to notice aspects of a community that might otherwise be overlooked.
Networking activities - building professional relationships and identifying potential cooperation.
Individual reflection - identifying personal learning, insights and possible applications through the guiding questions related to senses, comparisons, challenges;
Experiential outdoor learning - using the rural and mountainous environment itself as part of the learning process.
Knowledge and skills gained
The Study Visit broadened participants’ understanding of rural youth work and provided practical insights into:
open, street and mobile youth work;
creating accessible and low-cost youth spaces;
building trust and relationships with young people;
cooperation with municipalities and local stakeholders;
using existing infrastructure and resources;
youth information and community initiatives;
networking and international cooperation.
A key learning was that effective youth work does not necessarily require significant resources. Relationships, trust, motivation and creative use of existing spaces can be more important than expensive infrastructure.
“Do not overcomplicate things.”
Participants were also encouraged to look at their own communities through the lens of what is possible with existing resources, rather than focusing only on what is missing.
Changes in understanding and confidence
All seven learning objectives were assessed positively. The strongest result concerned understanding the diversity of youth work in Tirol, with 22 participants rating this fully achieved and 1 mostly achieved. All other objectives also received predominantly “fully” or “mostly achieved” ratings, with no objective receiving a “poorly” or “not at all” response.
The impact went beyond knowledge. Participants reported increased inspiration, confidence and motivation:
“I have got a lot to think about but also a feeling I do right things in my work.”
The visit also helped participants recognise similarities between different contexts:
“We share the same challenges and problems even we are far from each other.”
preparation of the programme content, online meetings to prepare the sessions, leading the sessions between during the Study Visit, facilitating the whole experience with a co-trainer, reporting
I have worked with Mariia for about a year on the development and implementation of this study visit, as well as its follow-up. It was a pleasure to work with her throughout the entire process. Mariia is hardworking, diligent, engaged, and highly organised, consistently approaching her work in a structured and timely manner.
Beyond these qualities, Mariia brought wonderful creative ideas to the table that enriched the study visit and significantly enhanced the experience of our participants. I can only speak highly of Mariia and her work, a positive assessment that is further supported by the excellent evaluation results we received from our participants.
I very much hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with Mariia again in the future. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for a reliable, creative, and dedicated facilitator who brings both professionalism and added value to their activities.