Facilitation Skills for Youth Workers and NGO Leaders (2nd Edition)

Aims & objectives

The main aim of this training was to strength the role of youth work and Non Formal Education in employability by training new 22 Facilitators from European Islands in the field of Non Formal Education and Experiential Learning participants have the chance to further develop their competences as a facilitator.

Specific Objectives of the Training:
- To experiment different Group Facilitation Methods and empower youth facilitators in implementing quality training activities using participatory methods;
- To develop facilitation skills and competencies in working with non-formal education above all at local level and disadvantaged areas like the islands and interior of each country;
- To share and exchange participatory methods and good practices in order to improve team work and group creativity;
- To provide a non-formal environment where facilitators can work in a cooperative way;
- To provide the opportunities for networking with partners interested in participative approaches;
- To find creative ways to involve facilitators in non-formal education and enhance motivation.

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

The Training Course was designed for
25 youth leaders, youth workers, volunteers, mentors and facilitators coming from 10 European Islands: Portugal, Croatia, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Greece, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus and Iceland.
The target group was also participants that wish to be Youth and Adult community Workers from the partner Islands and special if they are young's with fewer opportunities, like NEET category (not in education, employment or training).

Training methods used & main activities

Methodology was based on the mutual cooperation between participants from different backgrounds and settings, invited them at exchanging proposals and working methods contributing to the European debate on validation and certification of non-formal learning. During the Training were approached different methods offered by the European framework of Non Formal Education: Group Dynamics and team buildings, Learning by experience methods, Open Space Technology, Theatre of the Oppressed, Learning Circles, Role play Games, Outdoors Activities, Scenarios simulations, round tables and facilitation workshops.

Outcomes of the activity

- 22 new facilitators skilled to plan and implement non-formal education activities in their local community and at a international level;
- 4 Workshops implemented in Local School of Terceira Island that were planed and lead by the participants:
- Video of the TC in AJITER Youtbe (and facebook): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNqW7DpD7c&feature=youtu.be
- Video of the TC in Youtube and Facebook made by the participants of Croatia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB5WkYwQdQc&feature=youtu.be
- Photo album of the TC in Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajiter/albums/72157667622064734/with/27879608072/
- Photo albums of the TC in AJITER Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajiter.pt/ | https://www.facebook.com/ajiter.associacaojuvenil/
- Online new in the website of City Hall of Praia da Vitória: http://cmpv.pt/index.php?op=noticias&pagant=&codnoticia=2585
- Online article in Jornal Açores 9: http://www.jornalacores9.net/regional/associacoes-juventude-sido-parceiras-do-governo-dos-acores-lideres-mudanca-afirma-isabel-rodrigues/
- Online article and pod cast in GACS (Gabinete de Apoio à Comunicação Social do Governo dos Açores):
https://www.azores.gov.pt/GaCS/Noticias/2016/Maio/Associa%C3%A7%C3%B5es+de+juventude+t%C3%AAm+sido+parceiras+do+Governo+dos+A%C3%A7ores+como+l%C3%ADderes+de+mudan%C3%A7a+afirma+Isa.htm
Online new in Azores Government website:
http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/en/entidades/srapap/noticias/Youth_associations_have_been_partners_of_the_Government_as_leaders_of_change_says_Isabel_Rodrigues.htm?WBCMODE=ybtaemgtvxscpta
- Presentation of the project to local community made by AJITER before project starts online in facebook and in AJITER TV;
News in AJITER Website: http://www.ajiter.pt/index.php?op=noticias&tipo=&ano=&keywords=&cod=347 | http://www.ajiter.pt/index.php?op=noticias&tipo=&ano=&keywords=&cod=349
- AJITER Newsletter: http://r.pt.ajiter.eu/1zuyetk6gc.html
- Articles made by participants in local media - Cyprus: http://www.sigmalive.com/news/local/350770/ti-kanoun-dyo-kyprioi-sti-mesi-tou-atlantikou-okeanou

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Co-cordinator of the project and full time trainer and facilitator of all the activities, responsible for the preparation, delivering and evaluation of the activities.

I worked on this training for 10 days as a full time trainer.