Training course for youth dialogue pioneers in South-East Europe

The training activity took place

in Crikvenica, Croatia

organised by Foundation Arka, SANCHILD foundation and Udruga Delta

25-30 March 2023

Reference person

Aleksandar Pekovic

(Co-trainer)

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Aims & objectives

Aim of the training course was to empower young people from rural areas for local policy making by developing their competences in analysing youth policies, creating dialogue with decision-makers and developing own local initiatives.

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

The group was international composed of 20 young multipliers aged 18-25 coming from rural areas in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The team was international composed of 6 youth workers/facilitators from three countries involved, with various backgrounds and levels of expertise.

Training methods used & main activities

Non-formal education: interactive and participatory approach, open-ended learning methods, energizers, ice-breakers and team-building activities, role plays/simulations, daily reflections with different methods (Blob tree, Dixit cards, other), debriefing activities, formative evaluation of training;
Education for democratic citizenship: learning about and for citizen rights and responsibilities through exploring democratic values and attitudes, with particular focus on young people’s role in policy making and decision making processes on the local level;
Intercultural learning principles: prioritising respect for diversity and zero tolerance for discrimination and racism, to ensure safe space for everyone.

Outcomes of the activity

Participants enriched knowledge about youth participation and decision-making mechanisms at local, national, and European level including the legislative policies of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of youth.
Participants increased their capacities and understanding of active citizenship and civic engagement to enable them to initiate social change through local participation actions.
Participants developed critical and analytical thinking exploring their local challenges and creating appropriate solutions.
Participants improved advocacy skills and learned how to approach their policy makers.
Participants shared and explored examples of good practices and youth projects on local policy making, advocacy and active participation.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was coordinating the team of facilitators, making sure the programme is prepared on time, i.e. the session outlines are ready.
I also developed session outlines with particular focus on getting to know each other, team building, local youth participation, simulating structured dialogue, action-planning for follow-up, as well as daily reflections. I also delivered these sessions in person, using training methods explained above.