TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Maria Zygomani
The activity aims to strengthen Solidarity Projects in semi-urban and rural areas for the participation of young people with fewer opportunities
Objectives
To enable participants to better understand the European Solidarity Corps Programme and explore its potential and benefits in rural areas;
To disseminate the European Solidarity Corps programme to areas in need and facing challenges;
To discover, collect and share good practices of solidarity projects in Europe and to learn more about opportunities available through other programmes and initiatives;
To support participants to express the challenges they face in relation to their area, to build an alliance to address them through solidarity and to share good practices to solve them through the European Solidarity Corps
Target Group
The activity is addressed to
- representatives of organisations in semi urban and rural areas,
- youth workers working or wishing to work in rural areas,
- members of youth councils, youth leaders, young people
who are:
- interested in learning more and applying for Solidarity Projects within European Solidarity Corps;
- over 18 years old;
The methodology of the NET activity "Local Cooperation for Solidarity", utilized a combination of theoretical instruction, practical workshops, and community interaction. The approach integrated formal presentations, team-based activities, and site visits, promoting hands-on learning and project design. We used non-formal education techniques, group discussions, and brainstorming sessions to facilitate knowledge sharing and fostering collaborative skills among participants. Feedback was continuously collected through post-course evaluations, participant inputs, and trainer reflections. The course was structured to maximize participant engagement, networking, and project development, with a focus on creating solidarity initiatives for semi-urban and rural areas.
The overall evaluation of the participants highlighted several key aspects of the training. Many found the networking opportunities invaluable, as they enhanced their perspectives on Europe and introduced new project ideas. The hands-on workshops, such as writing project proposals and filling forms, were highly appreciated for their practicality. Participants valued the chance to collaborate in teams and brainstorm ideas for potential solidarity projects. The visit to Europe Direct of Western Macedonia and the presentation on the European Solidarity Corps were particularly praised for offering insights into European policies and volunteering opportunities. Most participants expressed satisfaction with the training structure, though some suggested extending its duration for deeper exploration of topics and more interactive activities.
Full-Time Trainer