TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Natasha Lendjel
The main aim of the project was to introduce the applied theater methods as important instrument for activism against social inequality.
Objectives in this project:
- share and develop methods and tools in order to enhance the creativity of young people using applied theater and creativity as tools for non-formal and informal learning
- practice empowerment of young people in order to make them aware of their own values and competences
- support young people exploring their own personalities and strengths and to help to implement a creative learning plan.
We had two different groups of participant on this training:
The first group were participants with experience and about social inclusion and conflict resolution. Participants were active youth workers with relevant experience. Most of them were also part of professional and amateur theater groups. English participants have been previously included in practical methodology of the Theater of the Oppressed.
In the second group we included youth workers with motivation and strong intention but not so rich experience working on these issues and with this methods. Nevertheless the fact that they were surrounded with more experience participant, they were triggered to learn, practice and implement theater methods in their youth work activities. Beside the need for mutual understanding and social inclusion development, they also became aware of the proper theater methods used while working in the youth field.
Participant were coming from 8 different countries: Italy, Macedonia, Kosovo*, Serbia, Lithuania, Turkey, UK, Bulgaria.
The base of the training were applied theater methods, almost in all session we had some theater methods incorporated. Beside theater approach, we also used different non-formal method as simulation games, energizers, group dynamics, debate methods, exchange of ideas.
Whole day participants where working on inventing a new applied theater method accompanied with other already existing non-formal methods.
At the end, divided in international groups, they prepared 1 hour session where they present the product. For the whole time there were working with one trainer as a mentor in this creating process.
Role: Co-trainer / Logistic manager
Responsibility:
- co-prepare the flow of the programme in line with its aims and objectives
- run sessions connected with inclusion, learning process and methodology of workshops
- support other team members
- create support materials for participants when needed
- mentoring group of participants who were preparing own theater based session
- contribute to the creation of the project idea and the grant application
- providing the communication flow between the applicant NGO, hotel staff and members of the community
- making sure that basic needs of the programme are sufficient in resources.