European Partnership Project: Preventing Youth Violence Through Education and Community Practice

Aims & objectives

The programme aimed to strengthen the capacity of professionals and young people to prevent, recognise, and respond to youth violence. Objectives included developing communication and socio‑emotional competences, improving early‑intervention awareness, building conflict‑de‑escalation skills, and promoting intercultural understanding across the three national groups.

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

International Composition of the Group:
A mixed group of 33 participants:
- 9 professionals (3 per country: educators, youth workers, social workers)
- 24 young people (8 per country, aged approx. 15–20)

International Team Composition:
National project leads, youth workers, community practitioners from the UK, Austria, and Germany, plus an external trainer (you) and local facilitators.

Training methods used & main activities

Experiential learning, case‑study analysis, conflict‑de‑escalation simulations, EI‑based communication tools, group problem‑solving, reflective practice, and intercultural dialogue.

Outcomes of the activity

Participants strengthened their ability to identify risk factors, apply de‑escalation strategies, and design practical workshops for schools and youth organisations. The project enhanced cross‑country cooperation and produced shared tools for violence‑prevention practice.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

You delivered 3 training days on emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict de‑escalation; facilitated group processes; supported the development of practical tools; contributed to intercultural learning; and participated in evaluation and documentation.

I worked on this training for 5 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

I confirm that Ana Neves collaborated with the London Borough of Islington – Youth & Community Services (UK) as an External Trainer within the European‑funded partnership project Preventing Youth Violence Through Education and Community Practice (UK–Austria–Germany, 2013–2014).

Ana contributed to the project’s 5‑day residential training programme, delivering two full training days on Emotional Intelligence, Communication, and Conflict De‑escalation for mixed groups of professionals and young people. She facilitated experiential learning activities, supported the development of practical tools for violence‑prevention work, and contributed to intercultural learning and project evaluation.

Her professionalism, clarity, and ability to work with diverse groups were highly valued by the project team and participants.