Bridge for Mind and Nature

Aims & objectives

The training course Bridge for Mind and Nature aimed to strengthen the professional capacity of youth workers to support the inclusion, empowerment and well-being of hard-to-reach young people, including young people with mental health challenges, especially in the post-pandemic context.

The objectives were to:

increase youth workers’ understanding of the psychological, social and economic realities of disadvantaged youth;

develop competences in using mindfulness and nature-based non-formal methods in youth work;

enhance motivation and confidence in working with young people facing mental health issues;

support the creation of sustainable follow-up actions at local and European level.

The activity responded directly to the needs of participating organisations to innovate their youth work practices and to integrate holistic, green and well-being-oriented approaches.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

The training involved 27 participants from 8 European countries: Italy, Romania, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Hungary and Estonia.
The group included youth workers, educators, mentors and coaches working with disadvantaged and hard-to-reach young people.
18 participants had fewer opportunities, facing economic, geographical and/or health-related obstacles, including stress and burnout.

The international composition fostered intercultural learning, exchange of practices and long-term European cooperation.

Training methods used & main activities

The training was entirely based on non-formal, experiential and nature-based learning. Methods included:

mindfulness and body-awareness practices;

outdoor and nature-based education;

storytelling, poetry and eco-collage;

botanical art, creative and artistic expression;

embodiment, movement and dance;

theatrical games, music and group work;

Open Space, debates, role plays and case studies;

reflection groups, learning diaries and Youthpass-based self-assessment.

All methods followed the experiential learning cycle and were directly transferable to participants’ youth work practice.

Outcomes of the activity

As a result of the training, participants:

increased their competence and confidence in working with hard-to-reach youth, including those with mental health issues;

acquired innovative tools combining mindfulness, nature-based learning, creativity and holistic education;

improved their ability to design inclusive, well-being-oriented and impactful youth work activities;

strengthened their motivation and professional identity as youth workers.

The project also generated concrete outcomes and dissemination actions, including:

a collection of tools and methods developed during the training;

a collaborative Padlet and a virtual art exhibition hosted on Artsteps;

a final project film shared online;

an international online multiplication seminar;

local workshops and knowledge-transfer meetings organised by participants in their countries, reaching youth workers and disadvantaged young people.

The success of the activity was confirmed through daily evaluations, final feedback, Youthpass learning outcomes and extensive follow-up implementation.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I worked as a coordinator, full-time trainer and co-facilitator, within a team of three trainers.

My responsibilities included:

co-designing the educational programme and learning flow;

facilitating sessions on mindfulness, embodiment, creativity and nature-based methods;

supporting group dynamics and intercultural learning;

guiding reflection processes and Youthpass-based learning documentation;

mentoring participants during and after the training;

contributing to evaluation, dissemination and follow-up activities.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.