TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Mirela Pašić
The On-Arrival Training aimed to support European Solidarity Corps volunteers at the beginning of their volunteering experience and help them feel informed, confident and prepared for their activity period and overall ESC experience.
The objectives included building connections and exchanging first experiences among volunteers, developing a common understanding of ESC values, objectives, rights and responsibilities, and exploring the main ESC priorities such as solidarity, inclusion and diversity, environmental protection, digital transformation and democratic participation.
The training also addressed practical needs connected to communication, cooperation, conflict prevention, problem solving, intercultural learning, cultural adaptation, organisational culture and project management. An important part of the process was supporting participants in reflecting on their own needs, expectations and role within their host organisations and helping them identify ways to make the most of their volunteering experience.
The training brought together 20 European Solidarity Corps volunteers representing 11 different organisations. The group was international and included participants from several countries. The report specifically identifies participants from Croatia and France, as well as three participants from Albania who joined through SALTO South-East Europe Resource Centre.
Participants had diverse backgrounds in terms of nationality, age, language and length of volunteering experience, ranging from approximately one week to two months in their projects.
The full-time trainer team consisted of Mirela Pašić and Igor Spetič, working in cooperation with the Croatian National Agency, while Lidija Đukes supported the activity in the logistics role.
The training was fully grounded in non-formal education and experiential learning, with an emphasis on active participation, reflection and learning from each other.
We used a wide range of participatory methods, including needs and expectations mapping, simulations and role play, case studies, individual and small-group work, pair work, brainstorming, guided reflection, support groups, energisers, Walk & Talk activities and practical exercises.
The programme also followed a self-directed learning approach. Participants were encouraged to take an active role in shaping their learning process, and the programme was adapted throughout the week according to their needs, interests, previous experience and group dynamics. Open Space was used to provide additional room for topics and questions coming directly from participants.
The training successfully achieved its planned objectives and resulted in a highly engaged and cohesive group, with participants actively exchanging experiences, building connections and reflecting on their ESC projects and roles.
Participants reported gaining a clearer understanding of their rights and responsibilities, the structure and opportunities of the European Solidarity Corps, communication and intercultural learning, project management and available support mechanisms. They also highlighted new international contacts and stronger connections with other volunteers as important outcomes.
Sixteen participants completed the final evaluation. The usefulness of the topics received an average score of 4.72/5, the working methods 4.56/5, the group atmosphere 4.72/5 and the organisation of the training 4.94/5. Overall satisfaction with the On-Arrival Training was 4.33/5.
Participant feedback also highlighted the trainers’ accessibility, creativity, responsiveness to group needs and ability to create a safe and supportive learning environment.
I worked as a full-time co-trainer throughout the five-day training programme, together with Igor Spetič.
My responsibilities included preparing and delivering the learning programme, facilitating plenary, small-group and experiential learning activities, supporting group building and group dynamics, facilitating reflection and self-directed learning, and adapting the programme according to participants’ needs, interests and previous experience.
I facilitated learning related to ESC values and priorities, volunteers’ rights and responsibilities, communication and cooperation, intercultural learning, organisational culture, project management, needs assessment and reflection on participants’ volunteering experiences.
I also provided individual support and consultations when participants needed help with challenges related to their projects or host organisations. Together with my co-trainer, I monitored the learning process and group energy, contributed to creating an inclusive and safe learning environment, facilitated the final evaluation and contributed to the trainers’ report and recommendations for future On-Arrival Trainings.