TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Vladas Polevičius
The training course "Meant to Be" aimed to enhance the capacity of youth workers, mentors, and volunteering coordinators in effectively managing volunteers, providing mentorship, and fostering personal and professional development within the European Solidarity Corps framework.
The training course sought to:
1. Connect professionals working in the field of mentoring across Europe to exchange experiences, good practices, and methodologies.
2. Strengthen mentoring competencies by discussing key concepts such as the role, responsibilities, and necessary skills of a mentor.
3. Address common challenges in mentoring by identifying difficulties mentors face and developing strategies to overcome them.
4. Emphasize the importance of mentoring in the personal and professional growth of volunteers, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
5. Improve volunteer management skills by providing practical tools and techniques for engaging and supporting volunteers effectively.
6. Support non-formal education by exploring how volunteering contributes to lifelong learning and competence development.
7. Foster motivation and engagement by helping participants understand how to inspire and retain volunteers through meaningful experiences.
8. Ensure quality mentorship by equipping participants with practical tools to empower volunteers in their learning and integration processes.
9. Encourage intercultural exchange and networking by creating a space for international cooperation among organizations working in the youth sector.
The training responded to several pressing needs in the field of volunteering and mentoring:
1. Lack of Structured Mentorship Programs. Many organizations struggle with creating effective mentorship models to support volunteers, especially those facing social or economic barriers.
2. Volunteer Retention Challenges. Addressing issues related to volunteer motivation, engagement, and long-term involvement in community projects.
3. Limited Training for Mentors. Youth workers and volunteer coordinators often lack access to structured training on mentoring, active listening, and conflict resolution.
4. Need for Non-Formal Learning Approaches. Strengthening the role of non-formal education methods in volunteer training and competence recognition.
5. Supporting Social Inclusion. Ensuring that mentoring programs are inclusive and accessible to young people with fewer opportunities.
Alignment with Organizational Goals
The training course supported the strategic goals of the participating organizations by:
1. Enhancing the quality of youth work and volunteering programs through capacity-building activities.
2. Strengthening international cooperation in youth work by fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange among organizations in Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, and Romania.
3. Promoting social inclusion by equipping youth workers with tools to support volunteers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
4. Encouraging the use of YouthPass and lifelong learning approaches to recognize and validate the skills gained through volunteering.
The training course "Meant to Be" brought together an international group of 25 participants from Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, and Romania. The target group consisted of youth workers, volunteer coordinators, and mentors actively engaged in supporting young people in volunteering programs, particularly within the European Solidarity Corps framework.
Participants were selected based on their experience and motivation to enhance their mentoring skills, improve volunteer management strategies, and contribute to the development of inclusive volunteering environments. The diversity of nationalities enriched the training, fostering intercultural learning, experience exchange, and the development of a broader European perspective on mentoring and volunteer engagement.
The facilitator team consisted of two experienced trainers, Vladas Polevičius and Aistė Rutkauskienė (Lithuania), who provided expertise in youth work, mentoring, and non-formal education methodologies. The trainers ensured that the learning process was interactive, inclusive, and adapted to the needs of the diverse group.
Through this international collaboration, participants gained insights into different mentoring practices across Europe, built strong professional networks, and developed strategies for enhancing the quality of mentorship and volunteering in their respective organizations.
The training course "Meant to Be" was based on non-formal education (NFE) methodologies, ensuring an interactive, participant-centered learning experience. The methods used encouraged experiential learning, active participation, and peer-to-peer exchange. Below are some of the key methods applied during the training:
1. Experiential Learning & Reflective Practice:
- Participants engaged in simulations and role-plays, where they took on the roles of mentors and volunteers to experience real-life mentoring scenarios.
- Case study analysis helped participants reflect on mentoring challenges and develop solutions based on real-life experiences.
- Guided self-reflection activities (e.g., "Me, Myself, and I in Volunteering") encouraged participants to explore their own motivations, biases, and learning paths.
2. Group Work & Peer Learning:
- World Café discussions facilitated structured conversations on mentoring challenges and best practices in different countries.
- Mentoring practice circles allowed participants to practice active listening, giving feedback, and setting personal boundaries in mentoring relationships.
- Small group projects required participants to co-develop tools and guidelines for improving volunteer mentorship programs.
3. Interactive & Creative Learning Tools:
- Non-verbal communication exercises were used to demonstrate the importance of body language and active listening in mentoring.
- Dixit and Points of You cards were used in storytelling exercises to help participants explore emotions and self-expression in mentoring relationships.
- Theatre-based methods such as Forum Theatre and Image Theatre were used to explore ethical dilemmas and conflicts in mentoring.
4. Non-Formal Learning & Recognition:
- Participants engaged in competence-mapping exercises linked to the YouthPass framework, helping them identify and validate learning outcomes.
- Gamification techniques (e.g., mentoring escape room challenges, volunteering-based problem-solving games) made learning engaging and dynamic.
5. Outdoor & Experiential Learning:
- The "Awaken the Learner Within" session included a silent walk and personal reflection activity in nature, helping participants connect with their own learning styles.
- Team-building activities encouraged networking and cooperation across different nationalities.
The "Meant to Be" training course successfully enhanced participants' competencies in mentoring and volunteer management, equipping them with practical tools to support volunteers effectively. By fostering experiential learning and peer exchange, the training deepened participants’ understanding of the mentoring process, strengthened their ability to motivate and guide volunteers, and encouraged the use of non-formal education methods in mentoring relationships.
One of the key achievements of the training was the creation of a shared understanding of the mentor’s role, responsibilities, and competencies across different European contexts. Through interactive discussions, role-play activities, and real-life case studies, participants gained insights into the challenges and best practices of mentoring. They developed concrete strategies for maintaining boundaries in mentoring relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering volunteer motivation, which they could immediately apply in their work.
Another significant outcome was the development of practical tools and resources for mentoring. Participants co-created a set of guidelines for volunteer mentorship, a collection of non-formal learning methods for engaging volunteers, and strategies for evaluating the learning process through the YouthPass framework. These materials were shared among participants and their organizations, ensuring a lasting impact beyond the training itself.
The international dimension of the training played a crucial role in expanding professional networks. Participants from Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, and Romania established strong connections, leading to potential future collaborations. Many expressed interest in organizing follow-up activities, such as joint training sessions, mentoring exchange programs, and cross-border volunteering initiatives.
The training's success was evident through participants' reflections and evaluations. Feedback highlighted the relevance of the topics, the high quality of facilitation, and the engaging, hands-on methodology. Many participants reported increased confidence in their mentoring skills and a deeper motivation to implement what they learned within their organizations.
The training outcomes were documented and disseminated through various platforms, including the websites and social media pages of the participating organizations. Articles summarizing the key insights and best practices were published on the websites of the Society and Enterprise Development Institute (SEDI) and partner organizations, reaching a broader audience in the youth work sector. Additionally, testimonials and reflections from participants were shared through social media, further raising awareness about the importance of mentorship in volunteering programs.
Overall, "Meant to Be" made a tangible contribution to improving mentoring practices across Europe, empowering youth workers and volunteer coordinators with the knowledge, tools, and networks to enhance the volunteer experience and foster social inclusion.
In the "Meant to Be" training course, I worked as a full-time trainer, actively contributing to the design, facilitation, and evaluation of the learning process. My role within the trainers' team encompassed several key responsibilities, ensuring the training was engaging, participant-centered, and impactful.
I was responsible for co-developing the training program, ensuring that all sessions were aligned with non-formal education principles and met the needs of the participants. This involved structuring the content, selecting appropriate methodologies, and designing activities that encouraged experiential learning, critical thinking, and peer exchange.
During the training, I facilitated multiple interactive sessions and workshops focused on mentoring, volunteer management, and non-formal learning methods. These included sessions on active listening in mentoring, motivation and volunteering, setting boundaries in mentoring relationships, and recognizing competencies through YouthPass. I employed diverse facilitation techniques, such as role-playing, case studies, World Café discussions, and storytelling exercises, to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
Another key aspect of my role was supporting participants in their learning process. I provided individual guidance and feedback, helping participants reflect on their experiences and integrate new knowledge into their professional practice. I also co-led reflection and evaluation sessions, enabling participants to assess their progress and identify actionable takeaways for their future work with volunteers.
Throughout the training, I contributed to team coordination and logistical planning, ensuring smooth execution of sessions and effective communication among trainers, organizers, and participants. Additionally, I played an active role in the final evaluation, collecting feedback from participants and analyzing the impact of the training to inform future improvements.
Post-training, I was involved in documenting key insights and best practices, helping to produce follow-up materials and resources for participants and their organizations. These materials were shared through organizational websites and social media platforms to extend the impact of the training beyond the immediate group.
My role as a trainer in "Meant to Be" allowed me to apply and further develop my expertise in mentoring, volunteer management, and non-formal education methodologies, while also fostering international collaboration in the youth work sector.