TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Juan Cruz
META was a 6-day training course whose main objective was to train 28 youth workers, educators, trainers and volunteers from 13 European countries in educational resources through non-formal education methodologies, developing a common coaching framework at European level. The objectives of this project were mainly focused on improving the quality of youth work within the E+, ESC, mobility and international volunteer programs.
The main recipients of this project were 28 youth workers from 13 different EU countries. Participants were over 18 years of age and interested in education and training, as well as designing training programs and facilitating activities. The selected participants were interested in international projects
and in cooperation between organizations from different countries.
The group of participants was composed of participants with different experience in the field of youth. On the one hand, META had expert trainers with a track record in training and accompanying volunteers, such as current mentors from
the ESC or from other projects. On the other hand, the project had participants with less experience in the field of youth, profiles of young people who want to make a career in the sector such as youth leaders who want to become facilitators.
Examples of methods used:
-Non-formal education methodologies (such as role-playing games, visual thinking, teambuilding activities, etc.) mixed with frontal sessions (use of videos, slides, visual graphics) accompanied by team work with reflection, presentation and group discussion.
-Outdoor sessions, moments for evaluation and for creation. Sessions for the exchange of experiences and promotion to
create new ideas and projects.
-Online meeting for showcase and share online methods and tools.
In the first place, organizations benefited from a better positioning in terms of the quality of their projects, since a higher quality of volunteer training leads to an improvement in the performance of their tasks.
Secondly, our project benefited the participants, who acquired numerous transversal skills applicable to their professional and personal life, such as communication, team management, teamwork, responsibility, conflict management, creativity, critical thinking.
Thirdly, the young volunteers of projects throughout the participating countries will benefit from META, since the youth workers will adjust the training to their needs, taking into account the individual and personal characteristics of each one.
One of the results of the project was the creation of a manual containing the methodology of the course. The writing of the manual was focused on improving youth work in terms of training and facilitating the availability of information.
Full-time trainer, designing, developing the program of activities, and coordinating logistical matters in situ.