TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Vladimir Kozachun
• To explore AI tools and their applicability in intercultural learning, youth work and NFE; to supply participants and participating organizations with AI tools applicable for intercultural learning;
• To explore the key components of culture; to supply participants and participating organizations with the innovative efficient approaches, methods and tools (such as simulations, storytelling, role-plays, Improvisation Theatre, Playback Theatre and Theatre of Oppressed) to explore cultural rituals/ceremonies and folklore fairy-tales;
• To foster a deeper understanding of human and European values, enriching participants with knowledge and respect for diverse cultural perspectives;
• To enhance cultural interaction, expression and sensitivity;
• To develop communication skills and key competences;
• To build long-lasting partnerships and to enhance resource exchange;
• To develop entrepreneurship competence, sense of initiative, project creating, writing and management skills.
The participants' profile of the TC:
• 18+ years old youth/social workers/leaders/NGO key staff;
• working with various vulnerable, marginalized and other challenging target groups; being at risk of emotional burnout;
• responsible, motivated and open to the new experience and learning opportunities;
• open-minded and flexible towards new knowledge, viewpoints and perspectives;
• with knowledge and experience in working with NFL programs (desirable, but not mandatory);
• ready to contribute to the project implementation: share relevant knowledge and experience, organize a workshop, lead a session, etc.;
• ready to implement the learning outcomes, project experience, results and outcomes in their further work;
• with good command of English.
The training involved 36 participants from 9 countries: Armenia, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine.
“NICE AI: Navigating Intercultural Communication and Exploration with AI tools” was a training course about the synthesis of human cultural understanding with the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. This project aimed to cultivate intercultural competences by merging human-driven role-playing, simulation and theatrical exercises with AI-driven simulations.
Therefore, the core aim of the TC was to create a learning space, where we can efficiently explore the capacity of intergration of AI tools in role-play, simulation and theatrical activities for the purposes of intercultural learning. Particularly, we explored, how the cultural interactions are enhanced through AI, simulating real-world cultural complexities in a controlled, replicable environment.
For 10 days, 36 youth workers deeply dived into the topic, playing, discovering and assimilating our working methods suitable for small and large groups.
With “NICE AI” we successfully:
• investigated simulation, storytelling, role-play and theatrical methods and tools along with AI tools and their applicability in intercultural learning, youth work and non-formal education;
• explored intercultural learning, development of intercultural communication, tolerance and acceptance through exploration of cultural rituals/ceremonies and folklore fairy-tales as key components of culture.
The learning by doing approach ensured many interactive activities, mostly simulations, role-plays, performances and other theatrical techniques combined with various AI tools. We had long debrief sessions on all the elements of each method, ensuring a detailed understanding and feeling for all participants.
The training course created a lasting and positive impact on various levels, fostering learning, practical skills, and sustainable change. We believe that including innovative techniques, storytelling approaches, role-playing exercises, and theatrical methods is/will be beneficial for youth work aimed at exploration and improvement of intercultural learning and non-formal education.
Moreover, beyond individual participants, the training course had/will have a sustainable impact on the local communities. It boosted development of new projects specifically aimed at AI tools and NFE methods usage for intercultural learning within the local communities.
1) Thus, as a practical outcome of the training course, the youth workers created and developed their own local projects to promote efficient intercultural communication and dialogue, bridging gaps between different cultures, fostering intercultural learning, building effective communication, and exploring cultural diversity through AI tools and NFE techniques;
2) As another practical outcome, participants created the "AI Toolkit for Youth Workers (2026)" -> http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/5755
3) Finally, within the period of the project, our trainers framed several other useful and efficient interactive tools applicable to NFE and youth work, aimed at Intercultural learning, storytelling, role-play and simulation activities:
• "The Journey of Transformation: Story Arc & Hero's Journey Framework"
A storytelling and theatre tool combining the Hero’s Journey and Story Arc to help participants create engaging stories, role-plays, and intercultural learning experiences with a clear structure, emotional tension, transformation, and meaning -> http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/5758
• "Storytelling & Role-Play Practice (Story Arc & Hero's Journey Framework)"
An experiential learning tool that helps participants co-create immersive stories, develop characters, explore emotions, and practice role-play through imagination, collaboration, and creative storytelling -> http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/5760
• "Weaving Worlds Together: Creating Intercultural Fairy Tales"
A creative intercultural learning activity where participants explore folklore fairy tales from different cultures, identify shared values and unique traditions, and collaboratively create, enrich (with AI), and perform their own intercultural fairy tales through storytelling, role-play, and reflection -> http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/5762
I was one of the full time Trainers responsible for the content.