TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Bruno Pizzini
The seminar aimed to empower young women and youth workers by enhancing their skills and knowledge in civic engagement and governance. Specifically, it sought to address the underrepresentation of young women in civic and local governance by providing tools, strategies, and resources that support their active involvement in community decision-making processes.
Objectives:
Increase Awareness of Barriers to Women’s Participation:
Participants explored socio-cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that limit young women’s engagement in civic life. The goal was to deepen understanding and enable participants to recognize and address these barriers within their local contexts.
Share Effective Models and Best Practices:
The seminar showcased successful examples of young women actively engaged in local governance, presenting models from various countries. By learning from these examples, participants gained insight into practical strategies for supporting gender equality and youth participation in governance.
Develop Advocacy and Leadership Skills:
Participants were trained in key advocacy and leadership skills, including communication, community mobilization, and policy engagement, equipping them to promote and facilitate the involvement of young women in civic activities.
Foster a Network for Continued Collaboration:
A key objective was to create a supportive network of youth workers, leaders, and women in governance roles to foster ongoing exchange, mutual support, and potential partnerships.
The seminar addressed a critical need for inclusive governance by targeting the gap in young women’s civic engagement. Young women often face significant challenges in accessing decision-making spaces due to systemic inequalities. This seminar directly addressed these needs by providing resources, skills, and knowledge to help youth workers and young women overcome barriers and advocate for their representation in governance.
This training activity aligned closely with the goals of participating organizations, which focus on promoting gender equality, empowering youth, and fostering active citizenship. By equipping participants to drive meaningful change in their communities, the seminar supported the broader organizational mission to enhance civic engagement, inclusivity, and gender equity in governance structures.
The seminar brought together 27 participants who represented a diverse array of nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The target group primarily consisted of youth workers, community leaders, and advocates for gender equality, all committed to enhancing young women’s roles in civic and governance settings. Participants were chosen for their backgrounds in youth work and their demonstrated interest in promoting active citizenship and inclusivity for women in their communities.
Countries and Nationalities Involved were Belgium (French-speaking), Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Morocco, Poland, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Greece.
During the seminar, we used dynamic non-formal learning methods that encouraged active engagement and personal reflection. For example, the World Café method helped participants dive into discussions on gender equity and equality, allowing them to map the situation in their local communities while building a shared understanding across diverse perspectives. This approach fostered a rich exchange of ideas and insights among participants.
Another highlight was Participatory Theater, where participants explored the role of youth workers in empowering young women. By stepping into different roles, they could experience firsthand the challenges and possibilities in supporting civic engagement, offering practical takeaways for inspiring change in their communities.
Throughout the seminar, Reflection Groups provided a valuable space for participants to process their experiences, discuss their insights, and set personal goals. These sessions reinforced their learning journey, helping each person integrate new skills and perspectives with confidence.
This blend of interactive methods created an inclusive, hands-on environment where participants could meaningfully connect training concepts to their own work in local governance.
The seminar achieved significant outcomes, empowering participants with practical tools, skills, and a renewed commitment to supporting young women’s engagement in civic life. Key achievements include:
Strengthened Skills and Knowledge:
Participants left the seminar with a deeper understanding of gender equity and the role of youth workers in fostering young women's involvement in governance. Through interactive methods like Participatory Theater and World Café, they acquired practical skills in advocacy, leadership, and community mobilization that they could bring back to their local contexts.
Enhanced Cross-Cultural Awareness:
With participants from over a dozen countries, the seminar fostered an environment of cultural exchange and shared learning. This international composition enriched the discussions, helping participants appreciate diverse approaches to gender equality and governance and adapt strategies accordingly.
Creation of a Support Network:
The seminar established a network of youth workers and community leaders committed to promoting gender equality in governance. This network encourages continued collaboration, resource sharing, and potential partnerships, extending the seminar's impact beyond the event.
The success of the training was evident in participants’ feedback, which highlighted increased confidence in applying gender-focused advocacy techniques and adapting them to local governance structures. Reflection groups and follow-up evaluations further confirmed that participants felt equipped and motivated to implement the skills and insights gained. Many participants have since reported initiating projects and discussions within their communities, an encouraging sign of sustainable impact.
As a full-time trainer for this seminar, I played a central role in designing and facilitating the program, ensuring an engaging and impactful learning experience for all participants. My responsibilities included:
Session Design and Delivery:
I developed interactive sessions using non-formal learning methods, such as the World Café and Participatory Theater, to address key topics like gender equity, civic engagement, and the role of youth workers. My aim was to create a safe, inclusive space where participants could explore, discuss, and gain practical skills in supporting young women’s involvement in governance.
Facilitating Cross-Cultural Dialogue:
With participants from 14 different countries, I guided discussions that allowed diverse perspectives to be shared openly. I encouraged participants to reflect on their own cultural contexts and challenges, helping them develop strategies that could be adapted to their unique settings.
Supporting Personal Reflection and Growth:
I led daily reflection groups, providing a structured space for participants to process their experiences, discuss their insights, and set personal goals for applying what they learned. This process not only reinforced learning but also built participants’ confidence to take actionable steps in their own communities.
Contributing to Post-Seminar Follow-Up:
After the seminar, I collaborated with the organizing team to gather feedback and document participant outcomes. This helped evaluate the seminar’s impact and provided resources for ongoing support within our network of youth workers.