TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Branimira Penic
The “Rights, Basics & Ideas” training aimed to strengthen participants’ competences in non-formal education through a human rights perspective and prepare them to create inclusive, engaging and rights-based learning environments for young people.
The training focused on understanding the relationship between human rights and youth work, recognising and protecting young people’s rights, developing practical non-formal education skills, and strengthening participants’ confidence to design and implement educational activities. It also encouraged participants to use human rights education and advocacy as tools for positive change in their communities.
The target group consisted of young youth workers and people aspiring to become youth workers, with a particular interest in non-formal education and human rights.
Participants represented partner organisations from 13 countries: Armenia, Greece, Spain, Lithuania, Hungary, Italy, Georgia, Moldova, Albania, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Romania and Croatia.
The international group provided an opportunity to compare experiences of youth work and human rights education across different European and neighbouring partner country contexts.
The training was based on non-formal education and experiential learning. Methods included group work, simulations, discussions, creative exercises, peer learning, reflection activities and practical workshops.
A strong emphasis was placed on hands-on learning. Participants explored human rights concepts through interactive methods and practised designing their own educational activities for young people. The methodology encouraged curiosity, collaboration, creativity and critical reflection.
Participants developed a clearer understanding of non-formal education and its connection to human rights, gained practical tools for promoting and protecting young people’s rights, and strengthened their confidence in designing inclusive and participatory educational activities.
The training also supported networking and exchange between youth workers and organisations from Programme and Partner Countries and encouraged participants to apply rights-based approaches in their future youth work.
I worked as a full-time trainer and contributed to the preparation and implementation of the educational programme.
My responsibilities included designing and facilitating non-formal learning activities, supporting participants during group work and reflection, and adapting activities to the needs of the international group. I facilitated sessions related to human rights, non-formal education, youth participation, advocacy and the development of educational activities for young people.
The training was delivered with utmost success, by both participants and organizers. I am very happy to have collaborated with Branimira.