TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Panayiotis Theodorou
We start from the belief, proven by more than 8 years of field experience, that offering opportunities for organizations to build capacity concerning Volunteer Management Skills is essential for a quality implementation of international volunteering projects (focused e.g. on the European Solidarity Corps Programme - ESC).
Based on this - 3 long-term partner organizations - EJBW, Weimar, Politistiko Ergastiri Ayion Omoloyioton, Lefkosia (Youth Accreditation holders), and Pro Vobis, Cluj-Napoca - hereby propose to you a sequence of 5 trainings, under the title: "Making Magic in the Kingdom of Volunteering".
The proposed trainings are developed as a result of our common experience since 2015, from the era of European Voluntary Service (EVS) up to European Solidarity Program (ESC) and aim to achieve common ground and understanding on volunteer management issues, mentoring skills, professional development regarding youth workers key competences - based on the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers, creating a community of practice and peer support among the implementers of European Volunteering projects. A special focus will be given to the role of mentors and competences for mentors.
Aim:
Improving the quality of ESC projects as an impactful experience at all levels - from developing a project to its completion and evaluation (context of project series and coop between several organizations)
Objectives for Mentors II:
Exchange of experiences of mentors & mentors to be
Development of mentoring competences
Capacity building of organizations involved (transfer)
training activities under the title “Making Magic in the Kingdom of Volunteering”:
Volu.M.Entry: 20th - 26th of October 2023 in Weimar, GERMANY
Target group of the event: representatives (coordinators, staff, mentors, support-persons) from organisations that have entered the ESC program recently, or newcomers in the field of volunteer management (either new or experienced organisation representatives )
Mentors Training (I): 20th - 27th of January 2024 in Lefkosia/Lysos, CYPRUS
Target group of the event: newcomers in the field of mentoring & mentors to be
Volu.M.Experience: 16th -22nd of March 2024 in Cluj, ROMANIA
Target group of the event: EX volunteers who are still involved or potentially involved in the field of youth work - we aim to gather the experience and perspectives of former volunteers as participants in volunteering projects and define issues, content, topics related to volunteer management, so that future projects may rely on lessons learned from practice, for improved quality implementation.
Mentors Training (II): 12th - 18th of April 2024 in Weimar, GERMANY (current event)
Target group of the event: participants who have had at least some experience in mentoring volunteers (at least 3 volunteers mentored)
Volu.M.Enhanced: 25th of June - 1st of July 2024 in Lefkosia/Lysos, CYPRUS
Target group of the event: representatives (coordinators, staff, mentors, support-persons ) from organisations that have experience in both EVS and ESC projects (at least 3 project implemented and finalised), for sharing a deeper introspection on the volunteer management process, challenges and good practices in European Volunteering projects
Target group of the event: participants who have had at non of little experience in mentoring international volunteers.
We have hosted mentors or relevant persons with roles of coordinators of projects of international volunteering, focusing on European Solidarity Corps.
Countries participating in the project: Czech Republic, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Estonia
Non-formal learning methodology was intensively used during the training, making use of both individual and group methods, facilitated by trainers and taking into consideration participants’ learning needs with a creative and participative approach (working with collage, role-plays, small groups, simulations, introspection, open space dynamics). Sessions were designed using experiential learning methods directly involving participants, their skills, previous experience, interests and potential for growth. There was a particular focus on the peronal development of the participants and documetnation of persona learning using reflection activities. Youthpass and the ETS key competence model for Youthoworkers was used as a tool
The training was structured to support participants who have taken responsibility in mentoring activities for international volunteers, who have none or minimal experience. Main topics besides the Group Dynamics were: Learning process, My experience in mentoring, Introduction to ESC, Youthpasss and competences for volunteers and youthworkers, Tasks of mentors and tools to support the mentoring process
https://politistiko-ergastiri.org/index.php/mentors-training-i-20th-27th-of-january-2024-in-lefkosia-cyprus/
I was a full-time trainer anc co-designer of the concept (with my colleagues from France and Germany), involved both in the preparation of the trainings (topic, design of activities, flow, as well as organizational and administrative preparation) and the evaluation of the training and the entire project.
Besides the above i was also responsible for the evaluation/ logistical process after the activity.