Training Course “Y.D.E.A.” Youth Development through Emotional Awareness”

Aims & objectives

In the light of this scenario, the main aim of this project is to equip youth workers of the participating organisations with skills and knowledge in the field of Emotional Intelligence, Social Emotional Learning and Emotional Awareness to promote more effectively youth development and social inclusion. The specific objectives of the project are:
• to develop non-formal educational tools, models and practice based on SEL and EI, and focused on the current needs of young participants, to be adapted to the educational formats of the organisations;
• to develop and consolidate the sensitivity and the expertise concerning mental health issues within the organisations, the network, the IVS movement and in youth work in general;
• to strengthen the capacity of the organisations in creating synergies with formal and non-formal education bodies, to reach-out and include in their activities young people with fewer opportunities and those who are most affected by the current upheavals and socio-economic uncertainties.

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

Participants profile: youth workers, trainers, educators, project managers, project coordinators, workcamp coordinators, staff and board members, activists interested in social inclusion.
Partners: CVS-Bulgaria runs this project in a partnership with SCI Italy, SCI Austria, SCI Germany, OWA Poland, Zavod Voluntariat (Slovenia), VSI Ireland, EstYES (Estonia), Para Onde (Portugal), CID (Republic of North Macedonia), Xeracion Valencia (Spain), EYCB (Czech Republic), System & Generation (Turkey), Youth for Equality (Slovakia).
Number of participants: 25+ 2 trainers(Katerina Stoyanova and Mauro Carta) + 2 support staff

Training methods used & main activities

The methods included work in small teams (created through group splitting games), plenary sessions, visual presentations, role-play games, analysis of study-cases.
Icebreakers and energisers were used at the beginning of the sessions, especially in the morning and after lunch. In line with the topics of the training, the participants received suggestions on how to enhance their learning process through the
activation of their five senses (relaxation techniques, physical activity, mindfulness exercises). Interactive activities, such as role-play games, were followed by debriefing sessions, where participants were encouraged by the trainers to reflect on the different dimensions: how they felt, what they learned and how it can be used in their youth work practice (using the “what/ so what/ now what” debriefing model).

Outcomes of the activity

The activity supported the participants in the development of the following sets of skills, knowledge and attitudes to be applied in the youth work sector:
KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge on social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, sociobiology, physiology and inputs on how to integrate these subjects to youth work;
- Specific knowledge on educational models, theories and authors on the field of SEL and IE;
- Ideas, inputs, guidelines on how to link theory with practice, boost social inclusion, reach-out new target groups and ensure their wellbeing in NFE projects;
- strengthened and more systemic knowledge of the IVS movement, SCI networks and their practice in the field of social inclusion.
- Increased knowledge of networks and organisations working in Europe in the field of social inclusion (their methods, procedures, target groups etc), through the constant interactions, exchange and cooperation developed by participants during the project and the activity.
- Increase knowledge and experience within the Erasmus+ programme and its opportunities in the field of youth work.
SKILLS
- Analytical skills, to detect current young people’s needs and better identify their challenges related to mental health and wellbeing;
- Skills to better identify and map their own emotions and those of the target groups, to effectively support young people in their development and learning process;
- Competence to detect emotional obstacles and needs of the target groups and to generate a positive and constructive climate in their youth work and NFE initiatives;
- Coordination of new games, NFE methods and techniques to promote social inclusion and wellbeing
in groups;
- Capacity to create and propose NFE tools for expanding self – awareness, self-control and self acceptance among target groups;
- Effective communication skills;
- Techniques to manage stress;
- Skills to better relate to groups, colleagues, staff in the workplace and create a constructive working climate;
- Networking skills;
- Capacity to design and propose synergies, cooperation and initiative to promote social inclusion and reach-out young
people with fewer opportunities;
- Digital skills, by using online platforms and application (like Padlet);
- Language skills: improved level of English (writing, speaking, understanding);
- Soft skills: team work skills, presentation and public speaking skills, evaluation and reflection skills, listening skills, intercultural skills, autonomy, organisational skills.
ATTITUDES
- Improved empathy and motivation to related to young people’s needs;
- increased understanding of the role of emotions in youth work;
- sensitivity towards mental health issues and emotional turmoil;
- tolerance and appreciation of human diversity;
- participatory approach and democratic decision-making (for the development of the plan of action of the output);
- awareness of the importance of supporting their youth work practice (especially the work related to mental health and wellbeing) with research and scientific evidence.
Project webpage: https://cvs-bg.org/ydeaeng/?lang=en
Facebook photo album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.659528799541775&type=3

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I have been involved in the preparation and implementation of the activity, as a part of the prep team and trainers team. I was in charge of the creation and delivering of the training program and reporting. I was also involved in the creation of the educational tool: Zoomanity cards, which can be found here: https://cvs-bg.org/ydeaeng/?lang=en

I worked on this training for 6 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Katerina Stoyanova and I were the trainers of this successful international training course, which focused on Emotional Intelligence and several related aspects. The logistics, contents, educational dimension of the project were excellent. Participant had the opportunity to contribute to the testing and the development of a NFE tool aimed at fostering group dynamics and cooperation. Personally, the impact of the project went beyond my expection and this is the reason why we are preparing a second edition. Katerina played a pivotal role in the practical implementation of the project activities.