Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Aims & objectives

“Follow the Yellow Brick Road” took its name from the yellow brick road of "The Wizard of Oz". The name was chosen because it's perfectly related to the topics of change, journey and transformation, which we related to the problem of youth unemployment.

We can summarize the objectives in the following points:

• To better understand the issue of youth unemployment and learn how to use the opportunities of non formal education as a tool for facilitate the entrance of the young people into the field of work;

• To promote active citizenship, participation of young people and responsibility to make change in the society and community;

• To develop the ability of self-reflection and self-awareness of the participants (which are useful tools of self growth) through daily sharing and the practise of reflection and coaching groups;

• To create a social experience of community through sharing work and life spaces, domestic work and practical tasks related to the community life.

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

• Target Group:
Youth workers and young unemployed people.

• Countries involved:
Italy, Czech Republic, Armenia, Ireland, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Moldova and Azerbaijan.

• Language of the training:
English

• The team of trainers:
Barbora Bláhová (Czech Republic), Buzz Bury (UK), Mafalda Morganti (Italy) and Carmine Rodi Falanga (Italy).

Training methods used & main activities

A wide mix of non-formal educational methods and a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. There has been a strong focus on the model of the Hero's Journey as a method for self-development.

Outcomes of the activity

Participants of the training gave very positive feedback already at the end of course, then again in the evaluation questionnaires and in their Youthpasses.

Dealing with change is considered a crucial competence with growing importance within European fast changing society. "Change" can be a new environment, a stay abroad or the change of living or working conditions for young people with different backgrounds. This new period of life comes with a lot of great moments as well as challenges. As a result of experiences on the training course, participants learnt to turn difficult situations into valuable opportunities for personal growth.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I've designed the training course and, together with my three above mentioned colleagues, developed the methods used for the training.

My role was to facilitate the course (in a team of four) and to coordinate all the activities which took part in it.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.