TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Boroka Balint
Aims:
Reinforce sustainability skills: to consolidate and apply the sustainability skills and knowledge acquired during the first training course.
Organize an eco-conference: to provide participants with hands-on experience in organizing and executing an eco-friendly conference.
Promote green practices: to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly practices among participants and their respective organizations.
Foster a community-centric approach: to help participants develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability by emphasizing local community needs and regional challenges.
Cultivate a cultural perspective: to integrate cultural considerations into sustainability practices, recognizing the role of cultural diversity in shaping sustainable solutions.
Objectives
Collaborative planning: facilitate participants in collaboratively planning and organizing the Eco-Conference scheduled for July 7, 2024.
Hands-on experience: equip participants with practical experience in event management and sustainability-focused project execution.
Sustainability integration: Enable participants to integrate and apply the four pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, social, and cultural) in a real-world setting.
Skill development: Enhance participants' abilities in conference organization, team coordination, and eco-friendly practices.
Strengthen networks: foster stronger connections and collaboration among youth workers from different EU countries to support future sustainability initiatives.
Holistic view on sustainability: provide participants with a broader perspective on sustainability, focusing on practical entry points for addressing the needs and challenges faced by local communities and regions.
Enhance systems thinking: Develop participants' capacity to approach sustainability challenges with a systems thinking mindset, understanding the interconnectedness of various social, economic, and environmental factors.
The target group for this activity cosisted of youth workers from EU countries. The participants were selected based on their roles in youth work and their interest in launching and managing sustainable, inclusive initiatives. The specific countries involved in this activity include Poland, the Netherlands, and other EU member states while participants had roots from all across the world. This diverse international group enriched the exchange of ideas and practices related to sustainability across different national contexts.
In this training, non-formal learning methods were used to effectively engage participants. These methods included:
Role plays: Simulations of sustainability-related scenarios to practice decision-making and problem-solving skills
Collaborative planning: Group activities focused on planning and organizing the Eco-Conference, fostering teamwork and practical application of skills
Group reflections: Sessions where participants reflect collectively on their experiences and learning, facilitating deeper understanding and shared insights
Public speaking: Opportunities for participants to develop and practice their public speaking skills through presentations and speeches related to sustainability
Mapping activities: Including body mapping and world mapping exercises to visualize and connect sustainability issues with personal experiences and global contexts
The training activity achieved several significant outcomes:
Participants developed practical skills in organizing sustainability-focused events, as demonstrated by the successful planning and execution of the Eco-Conference.
There was a noticeable improvement in participants’ ability to apply the four pillars of sustainability—economic, environmental, social, and cultural—in their professional activities.
The training fostered stronger networks among youth workers from different EU countries, enhancing future collaboration on sustainability initiatives.
Feedback from participants was highly positive, reflecting the effectiveness of the non-formal learning methods and the relevance of the training content.
The Eco-Conference itself was a success, showcasing participants’ capabilities in organizing impactful, sustainability-oriented events.
Additionally, the training paved the way for the formation of the European Youth Environmental Council, establishing a new platform for ongoing youth engagement in environmental issues.
As a co-trainer, I was responsible for facilitating sessions on holistic sustainability and systems thinking, as well as learning reflections. In addition, I also supported the overall organization of the Eco-Conference and provided guidance to participants, ensuring that both the training and the conference were executed effectively and aligned with the objectives.