TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Engy Abdalla
The training aimed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals with project ideas from marginalized groups with the skills to develop clear, fundable proposals. It addressed critical needs in project planning, budgeting, and pitching, empowering participants to turn their ideas into viable initiatives. The activity aligned with the goals of Plan International and UNHCR by supporting financial empowerment and strengthening the capacity of underserved communities to access funding and create sustainable livelihoods.
The target group consisted of entrepreneurs and individuals with early-stage project ideas from marginalized and refugee communities. Participants were primarily from Sudan, with additional representation from Syria and Egypt. The group included both men and women with diverse educational and professional backgrounds, all seeking to develop their initiatives and access funding opportunities through improved project planning and financial skills.
I used in this training non-formal, participatory methods to foster engagement and practical learning. Activities included storytelling, peer-to-peer exchange, role play, and learning through participants’ own experiences. I also incorporated short videos featuring real-life stories to visualize key concepts, and used gamified exercises to simulate budgeting and pitching scenarios. Additionally, I applied selected LUMA Human-Centered Design tools to help participants refine their project ideas collaboratively.
The training resulted in about 200 participants developing clear, well-structured project plans and budgets, with most of them ready to pitch their ideas to a grant panel. Several participants reported increased confidence and clarity in presenting their initiatives. Success was evident through participants' active engagement, the quality of final project outputs in the grant application they were filling, and positive feedback collected through post-training reflection and informal testimonials. While no formal publication exists yet, as it was very recent, the activity was implemented under ICEALEX in partnership with Plan International and UNHCR, and is documented internally by the host organization.
I was the sole training designer and facilitator for this activity. I developed the full training content and methods, delivered all sessions, and led the facilitation throughout. In addition to group sessions, I provided several hours of one-on-one mentorship after each round to support participants in refining their project ideas. It was a full-time training engagement during the activity period.
Engy is a highly professional trainer with the expertise to deliver this training effectively, ensuring strong outcomes and valuable feedback.