Professional Communication and Group Facilitation in Diverse Contexts

Aims & objectives

The training aimed to strengthen the intercultural and socio‑emotional competences of professionals working in education, youth work, and community development. Objectives included:
- developing self‑awareness and emotional regulation
- improving communication and active listening
- enhancing intercultural sensitivity and understanding of cultural perspectives
- strengthening group facilitation and conflict‑management skills
- applying non‑formal education methodologies in professional contexts

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

International Composition of the Group
- 22 participants
- from Hungary, Portugal, Romania, Italy, and Croatia
- including educators, trainers, youth‑work professionals, and community practitioners
- mixed levels of experience, including participants with fewer opportunities

Team Composition
- 1 Lead Trainer (Hungary)
- 1 External Trainer (you)
- 1 Support Facilitator
- 1 Logistics & Administrative Coordinator

Training methods used & main activities

The programme followed non‑formal education principles and included:
- experiential learning cycles
- group dynamics and trust‑building exercises
- role‑plays and simulations
- intercultural dialogue activities
- storytelling and reflective practice
- small‑group work and case studies
- World Café and structured dialogue
- daily reflection groups and evaluation circles

Outcomes of the activity

- improved their intercultural awareness and ability to work in diverse teams
- strengthened communication and socio‑emotional competences
- gained practical tools for facilitation and conflict management
- increased confidence in using non‑formal learning methods
- developed action plans to transfer learning to their organisations
- built new international cooperation links

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

As External Trainer, I was responsible for:
- co‑designing the programme and session flow
- facilitating sessions on: emotional intelligence, communication and active listening; intercultural competence; group cohesion and conflict management.
- guiding reflection groups and debriefings
- supporting participants in designing their own activities
- adapting methods to group needs and dynamics
- ensuring a safe, inclusive learning environment
- contributing to daily and final evaluation

I worked on this training for 3 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Ana Umbelina Neves served as an external trainer for Youth Bridges Hungary, where she delivered a three-day intensive professional development course from 15 to 17 October 2012.
During this international training programme under the Youth in Action framework, she designed and facilitated highly interactive workshops for educators, trainers, and community practitioners. The sessions focused on emotional intelligence, assertive communication, intercultural competence, and experiential learning methodologies.
Her facilitation approach was consistently engaging, well-structured, and highly responsive to the diverse needs of multicultural professional groups.
I wholeheartedly recommend her as a trainer for the SALTO TOY Platform.