TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Vladas Polevičius
The training aimed to enhance youth workers’ understanding of human rights and gender equality, equipping them with practical tools to address gender-based discrimination, stereotypes, and violence in their work with young people.
Needs Addressed:
- Lack of awareness and practical skills in tackling gender issues in youth work.
- Need for intercultural exchange and collaboration on human rights education.
- Demand for effective methods to integrate gender equality principles into non-formal education.
Alignment with Organizational Goals:
The training aligned with participating organizations' missions to promote inclusion, human rights, and equality in youth work. It strengthened participants’ capacities to implement gender-sensitive approaches, fostered international cooperation, and contributed to a more inclusive and equitable youth sector.
The training "Shaking Things Up!" brought together 25 participants from six different countries, creating an international and intercultural learning environment. Participants came from Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Romania, representing a diverse range of backgrounds, including youth organizations, social services, and educational institutions. This international composition allowed for rich exchanges of experiences, best practices, and perspectives on gender equality and human rights in youth work.
The target group consisted of youth workers, educators, social workers, and NGO representatives who are actively engaged in youth empowerment, human rights advocacy, and gender equality initiatives. The participants had varied levels of experience, ranging from emerging youth workers to seasoned professionals, which fostered dynamic discussions and peer learning opportunities. Their engagement in non-formal education and community-based projects ensured that the training outcomes would be transferred to local and national youth work contexts.
The training was facilitated by an international team of experts specializing in gender equality, human rights, and non-formal education methodologies. The trainers—Vladas Polevičius, Aistė Rutkauskienė, and Lina Januškevičiūtė—brought extensive experience in youth policy, gender-sensitive approaches, and intercultural dialogue. Their guidance ensured that participants gained both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to address gender issues in their professional work. The diverse nationalities and backgrounds of both participants and trainers strengthened the intercultural dimension of the training, encouraging collaboration and fostering a shared commitment to promoting gender equality across Europe.
The "Shaking Things Up!" training course was based on non-formal education methods, ensuring an interactive, participatory, and learner-centered approach. A variety of methodologies were used to engage participants in critical discussions, personal reflection, and experiential learning on gender equality and human rights.
One of the key methods used was experiential learning, where participants engaged in role-playing and simulation exercises to experience different perspectives on gender discrimination and stereotypes. For example, in one activity, participants were assigned different societal roles and had to navigate challenges based on their assigned identity, allowing them to reflect on privilege, bias, and systemic inequalities.
Interactive discussions and debates were also a crucial part of the training. Through world café discussions and structured debates, participants explored complex gender-related topics, such as stereotypes in media and gender-based discrimination in education and employment. These sessions encouraged critical thinking and peer learning by allowing participants to share experiences and perspectives from their own cultural contexts.
Another widely used method was creative expression and artistic approaches, including visual storytelling, art-based reflection sessions, and theatre techniques. In one session, participants created visual collages to depict their views on gender equality, which led to deep discussions on societal expectations, media representation, and unconscious biases. Additionally, forum theatre techniques were used to enact real-life situations related to gender inequality, allowing participants to step into different roles and explore possible interventions.
Case study analysis and problem-solving exercises helped participants understand real-world gender issues and develop strategies to address them. Participants worked in groups to analyze gender-related challenges faced by young people in different countries, brainstorm solutions, and present their findings. This method reinforced the applicability of the training content to their daily work.
To encourage personal reflection, journaling and guided reflection activities were incorporated throughout the training. At the end of each day, participants engaged in individual and group reflection sessions to consolidate their learning, share insights, and set personal goals for applying the new knowledge in their professional contexts.
The "Shaking Things Up!" training successfully enhanced participants' knowledge and skills in gender equality and human rights in youth work, equipping them with practical tools to address gender-related challenges in their organizations. Participants gained a deeper understanding of gender stereotypes, discrimination, and inequality, as well as methods to foster more inclusive and equitable environments for young people. The training also strengthened international cooperation by facilitating cross-cultural exchanges and partnerships among youth workers from six different countries.
One of the key outcomes was the development of concrete action plans that participants committed to implementing in their organizations. Many participants reported that they would integrate gender-sensitive approaches into their youth work, use non-formal education methods learned during the training, and share their knowledge with colleagues and young people. Several organizations planned to develop workshops and campaigns promoting gender equality in their local communities.
The success of the training was evident through positive participant feedback, both during the final evaluation session and in post-training surveys. Participants highlighted the engaging methods, knowledgeable trainers, and meaningful discussions as key strengths of the course. While a few participants expressed initial skepticism, by the end of the training, most acknowledged that their perspectives had broadened, and they felt more confident addressing gender-related issues in their work.
The training's impact extended beyond the participants, as key insights and best practices were shared through organizational newsletters, social media updates, and local events led by the participants. Documentation of the training, including participant reflections and follow-up initiatives, was published on the Marijampolė Youth Information Center’s website and social media pages, as well as on the platforms of partner organizations.
For further reference, updates and insights from the training can be found at:
- Marijampolė Youth Information Center Facebook page
- Society and Enterprise Development Institute (SEDI) website
- Partner organizations' websites and newsletters
The combination of participant engagement, post-training initiatives, and widespread dissemination of training materials demonstrated that the training successfully achieved its objectives, making a lasting impact on youth work practices across different countries.
As a full-time trainer in the "Shaking Things Up!" training course, my primary responsibilities included designing, facilitating, and evaluating the learning process, ensuring that participants engaged meaningfully with the topics of gender equality, human rights, and youth work. I was responsible for delivering interactive sessions, guiding discussions, and adapting methodologies to the diverse needs of the international participant group.
I co-designed the training program, aligning the sessions with non-formal education principles and ensuring a balance between theoretical input, practical application, and reflection activities. My role included facilitating workshops on gender stereotypes, human rights in everyday life, and inclusive youth work, using participatory methods such as role-playing, forum theatre, and case study analysis. I also co-led reflection groups, helping participants process their learning and translate insights into actionable strategies for their organizations.
In addition to direct facilitation, I contributed to logistical coordination, group dynamics management, and intercultural exchange activities. This involved ensuring a safe and inclusive learning space, mediating discussions, and addressing challenges that arose within the diverse participant group. I also supported intercultural evenings and networking sessions, fostering deeper collaboration among participants beyond the structured training sessions.
After the training, I was involved in evaluating participant feedback, documenting key learning outcomes, and supporting the dissemination of training results through social media updates, newsletters, and follow-up activities. My role ensured that the knowledge and skills gained during the training were effectively integrated into participants’ youth work practices, contributing to a sustainable impact on gender equality initiatives across different countries.