TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Sara Bertolino
The two editions of the training course were meant as a follow up of the KA2 project “MARTI” (2020-2022), which aimed to create innovative educational approaches and tools to apply an intersectional lens in youth work. The specific objectives were:
- to foster an inclusive educational approach based on the concept of intersectionality;
- to provide time and space to youth workers to reflect on and question their own practices and the practices of their organisations through an intersectional lens;
- to promote an intersectional approach in the youth field that contributes to promoting social inclusion of young people, particularly those with fewer opportunities and part of marginalised groups at risk of exclusion;
- to provide competences to reinforce the response of youth work organisations to the main challenges of today's world in a more comprehensive and intertwined way;
- to disseminate the outputs and outcomes of KA2 “MARTI” in the youth work community of practice.
Between the first and the second edition of the training course, there was a total of 42 participants, coming from different Program countries: Italy, Germany, Spain, Croatia, Romania, The Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Hungary. Participants were youth workers, facilitators, social workers, teachers, activists and youth leaders.
The team of trainers consisted of 2 trainers (from Italy and from Palestine).
The methodological framework for the training courses was Non Formal Education. The training team used several tools adn techniques in this frame, such as energisers and ice-breakers; cooperative learning and team building; silent floor and brainstorming; individual and small group reflection; theoretical input; audio-visual material; experiential learning; artistic and creative methods; SWOT analysis; assessment and evaluation activities; role plays and theatrical methods; non violent debate. The training team strived to reach balance between dynamic and static methods, as well as between individual reflection and group work.
The participants reflected intensely on the concept of intersectionality, and how it relates to their life and their work. They also used artistic methods for reflection, creating a personal zine on what intersectionality mean to them and their target groups. In the second edition, participants worked together on creating a script for a youth exchange on the topic for their youth groups, which was then implemented in December 2024. A report was produced for each of the training courses. Overall, both participants and partner organisation were very satisfied with the training.
- Co-coordinating the whole process (finding partners and designing agreements, finding participants, communicating with the hosting structures, managing communication with participants, issuing Youthpass certificates, supervising the reimbursement process);
- Designing the learning objectives and the learning process, the flow and sessions together with the the other trainer;
- Writing the call for participants and the application form with the other trainer;
- Facilitating the training;
- Writing a report.