Let’s Create Inclusive Activities

Aims & objectives

There have been two edition of the training course, which aimed to:
- Reflect on why inclusion and diversity awareness are important and how this relates to participants and their organisation;
- Become aware of the needs of (potential) participants and the variety of barriers that might hinder them to feel welcome and safe to participate;
- Explore the different aspects of inclusive and diversity-sensitive activity design (including logistics, methods, team and communication) and understand how one can prepare for and adapt to barriers and needs;
- Share practical tools, methods, resources and approaches that offer support in organising and facilitating inclusive and diversity-sensitive activities;
- Learn from each other by sharing experiences and expertise;
- Take concrete steps to improve one’s practice.

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

Between the two editions, the total amount of participants was around 45 people. They came from over 20 different countries, both Program and partner regions: Neighbourhood East, South-Mediterranean Countries and Western Balkans. All participants where involved in youth work and/or in education - in paid or volunteer positions and approached the topic through different lenses.
The training was prepared by an international team of organisers and trainers. Salto ID and the National Agencies (of Luxembourg, Germany and Estonia for the first edition; of Italy, Germany and The Netherlands for the second) were involved in preparing the activity. The team of trainers consisted of 3 trainers (2 from Germany and 1 from Italy) with different perspectives and areas of expertise on the topics of the training.

Training methods used & main activities

Using a non-formal learning approach through a non-formal methods (learning by doing, experiential learning, sharing and reflecting, group activities) the training empowered participants to get better in what they do. The course strived to be an example of an inclusive activity, so participants could take tips, practices and tools from it to their own work.
The holistic learning approach included creative methods, storytelling, quizzes, learning in the city, open space, embodiment, reflection and feedback opportunities. For both editions, an online onboarding session was organised.

Outcomes of the activity

The participants reflected intensely on the level of inclusivity and diversity in their own organisations and shared barriers, possible solutions and inclusive practices around this, keeping an intersectional perspective in mind. During each training inclusive tips for inclusive event design were documented and shared. Each participant created an implementation plan for their work once they went back. A report was produced for each activity. Overall participants and organisers were very satisfied with the training.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

- Designing the learning process, the flow and sessions together with the team of trainers;
- Co-writing the call & application questions;
- Facilitating the training;
- Writing a report.

I worked on this training for 8 days as a full time trainer.