TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Alain Crudenaire
The training activity aimed to provide personalised guidance to participants in view of submitting a project in the upcoming deadline (October 4 or later). It strengthened the capacities of youth workers by equipping them with tools to foster active youth participation, while also deepening their understanding of the different levels that “active participation” can entail. The activity promoted the inclusive dimension of youth work and created a networking space for potential Francophone partners. It further encouraged the exchange of good practices and learning from previous projects. Finally, participants were supported in drafting a project proposal, helping them to understand both the logical framework and the administrative requirements of the programme, thereby ensuring alignment with the goals of their organisations.
The training team was composed of one member of the French National Agency, one Belgian representative, and three Belgian trainers. The group of participants included 16 from France, 4 from Belgium, and 1 from Luxembourg.
The training methodology was based on principles of non-formal education, experiential learning, co-construction, collective intelligence and critical reflection. The activities were designed to enable participants to network, to familiarise themselves with key concepts related to youth participation, and to work concretely on the development of projects within the Erasmus+ framework.
The feedback shows a strong commitment from participants to continue their Erasmus+ journey, with a majority expressing their intention to submit a project in the coming months. Several of them already mentioned clear deadlines, including the October 2025 round. At the moment of writing this activity for TOY, a follow-up session is scheduled for Thursday 18 September 2025 (14:00–15:30), which will provide further insights into how these intentions are being translated into concrete actions.
As a full-time trainer, I contributed to the design of the programme by suggesting methods, helping to shape the overall flow, and preparing supporting materials such as personalised name badges. During the activity, I facilitated and co-facilitated the different sessions, including the introduction and presentation of Erasmus+ priorities, knowledge building on participation, the Ladder of Participation, defining the youth target group, youth engagement, testimonies from project holders, project methodology, tools for collective intelligence and discovery of the application form, project writing (both collective and individual), the Q&A with National Agencies, the final project presentations and the final evaluation. I was also responsible for guiding the daily evaluations, supporting participants in developing their project ideas, and ensuring that the methodology was adapted to the group’s needs while working incooperation with the other trainers.
It was a pleasure working with Alain on this activity. He was very thorough and respectful of deadlines. He also brought a whole range of non-formal educational activities and highly creative methods to contribute to the training objectives. All this while fostering a productive and safe environment.
Thank you Alain!