TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Branimira Penic
The seminar aimed to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation in youth work and explore how youth work can cooperate more effectively with sectors such as education, social services, local government, business, culture and research.
It supported participants in exchanging practices, identifying barriers and opportunities for cooperation, and developing ideas for stronger and more sustainable partnerships. The seminar also addressed the recognition, quality and sustainability of youth work and its role in connecting young people, institutions and communities.
The seminar gathered 30 participants from Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Portugal, Greece and Hungary.
Participants represented diverse professional backgrounds, including youth organisations, municipalities, educational institutions, social services, research and other sectors connected to young people.
This diversity enabled participants to compare national and professional perspectives and explore cooperation between youth work and other sectors.
The seminar combined non-formal education, experiential learning and peer learning methods, including keynote inputs, panel discussions, World Café, Living Library, Peer Fair, group work, Open Space, digital tools exchange, reflection activities and a field visit.
Participants mapped existing cooperation practices, analysed barriers and opportunities, exchanged successful examples and explored practical ways of building stronger partnerships across sectors.
Participants strengthened their understanding of cross-sectoral cooperation and identified practical ways to improve cooperation between youth work and other sectors.
The seminar produced concrete conclusions and recommendations related to local partnerships, recognition of youth work, professionalisation, international cooperation, advocacy and long-term sustainability.
Participants also identified sectors that should be more actively involved in youth work cooperation, including health care, sports, culture, media, urban planning, environmental organisations, parent associations and the private sector.
The seminar strengthened international networking and peer learning and created opportunities for future cooperation between participating organisations and professionals.
My main role in the seminar was providing logistical and organisational support to the training team and participants.
I supported the preparation and implementation of the activity, including participant communication, coordination of practical arrangements, preparation of materials and spaces, and ensuring the smooth delivery of the programme throughout the seminar.
I also supported facilitators, speakers and panelists with practical arrangements and coordination during the activity and contributed to creating the conditions needed for the educational programme to run effectively.