TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Annamaria Papini
The MTE trainings aim at offering to EVS volunteers, who are at about half of their project, the tools they need in order to evaluate their projects. It is a needed process to allow youth to raise their awareness on the potential of their experience, on the possibility to improve their situations, and on the chance they have to make the most of their projects. It also gives volunteers the possibility to gain some insight about their objectives and goals for their future.
The group included youth aged 20 to 30 year old coming from various countries in the world (South America, Spain, France, Latvia, Turkey, Germany...) and implementing their projects in various cities in Italy (Cagliari, Treviso, Bolzano..).
The learning by doing method was at the basis of each activity, giving youth the possibility to experience a concept, than discuss it and relate it to their specific project. In some sessions participants were asked to work in little groups allowing intimacy to create space for empathy and confrontation. In other moments space was given to creativity in order to allow youth to express themselves building up their self-confidence and ability to communicate their thoughts in effective ways.
Due to the training, participants could gain a better understanding of what EVS represents and can bring to their personal and professional future. Youth realised once again the importance of their own role in the construction of their paths and gained a boost toward their goals in life. The training as a success due to the positive evaluation we received at the end of the activities and the good atmosphere which endured among all participants and trainers for the whole meeting.
The team included 2 trainers who jointly discussed the activities to be implemented and then shared full responsibility for the positive outcome of the training. I therefore brought my contribution to propose the activities which best fitted the group of participants and in turn held the activities fostering participation and learning.