TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for PANAGIOTIS KALAITZIS
The LEVELUP training activity aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to recognize, challenge, and counter hate speech through human rights-based approaches and counter-narrative strategies. With over 1,000 participants from across Europe, the event addressed the urgent need for effective tools and spaces that empower young people, youth workers, and activists to respond to the growing spread of hate speech, both online and offline. The workshops were designed to foster critical thinking, promote inclusive dialogue, and provide participants with practical resources such as Council of Europe toolkits. This directly aligned with the Council of Europe's goals of defending human rights, promoting social cohesion, and supporting democratic participation. Additionally, it fulfilled the European Youth Forum’s vision of equipping youth with the knowledge and tools needed to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
The target group of the LEVELUP training activity consisted of youth workers, young activists, educators, and civil society representatives from across Europe, representing a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds. Participants came from EU member states and Council of Europe countries, creating a truly international and intercultural learning environment. The diversity of the group allowed for meaningful exchanges on hate speech in different contexts, enriched by various regional perspectives and experiences. This wide representation ensured that the training's impact extended across multiple national realities, while also promoting a shared European commitment to human rights, inclusion, and democratic values.
The training was based entirely on non-formal education methods, designed to foster active participation, critical reflection, and peer learning. We used a workshop format inspired by the We CAN manual from the Council of Europe, which focuses on combating hate speech through counter and alternative narratives. The session included interactive elements such as group brainstorming, analysis of real-life hate speech examples, and collaborative creation of counter narratives. We opened with energisers and short introductions to build group trust and connection, followed by structured exercises to explore the causes, impact, and language of hate speech. Participants engaged in small-group discussions and practical exercises that encouraged critical thinking and creative expression. The methodology allowed for a dynamic balance between trainer input and participant interaction, reinforcing the human rights-based approach throughout the session.
The LEVELUP training activity achieved its goal of equipping participants with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to identify and counter hate speech using a human rights-based approach. Through interactive workshops based on the Council of Europe’s We CAN manual, participants explored real-life examples, engaged in group discussions, and created their own counter narratives. The high level of engagement, strong peer interaction, and positive feedback from evaluation forms indicated the success of the sessions. Participants gained practical insights and expressed a clear intention to apply the methods in their own contexts. The activity was documented through the communication channels of the European Youth Forum and the Council of Europe, as well as on social media platforms.
I worked as a full-time trainer representing the Council of Europe during the LEVELUP event in Brussels. Together with my co-trainer, I was responsible for designing and delivering interactive workshops on combating hate speech and promoting counter narratives, using tools from the Council of Europe’s We CAN manual. I actively contributed to the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of the sessions, ensuring that the methodology aligned with the principles of non-formal education and human rights education.