TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Sukaina El Outa
The training aimed to strengthen the leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement skills of youth workers from participating organizations. It sought to empower them to take a more active role in promoting youth participation in democratic life, while fostering volunteerism, inclusion, and social responsibility. Through non-formal education and peer learning, the activity enabled participants to develop practical tools and strategies for supporting young people in engaging meaningfully in civic and political processes at local, national, and European levels.
The training responded to the shared needs of participating organizations and their youth workers to:
- Enhance the capacity of youth workers to effectively engage, motivate, and support young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Develop stronger leadership, advocacy, and communication skills to enable youth workers to represent and amplify youth voices in decision-making processes.
- Foster meaningful, ethical, and inclusive youth participation, ensuring that all young people—especially those with fewer opportunities—are empowered as active partners rather than passive beneficiaries.
- Equip organizations with innovative civic engagement tools and non-formal educational methods to strengthen democratic participation and social responsibility among young people.
- Encourage digital resilience and innovation, promoting the use of digital democracy and media literacy tools as effective means of civic expression and activism.
- Reinforce cooperation among partner organizations, promoting shared learning, mutual support, and the co-creation of sustainable youth initiatives at the European level.
The training is speaking to the participating organizations’ missions to empower young people, promote inclusion, and strengthen democratic participation. By equipping youth workers with advocacy and leadership tools, the project reinforced the organizations’ ability to support diverse youth communities and encouraged sustainable cooperation among partners. It also helped organizations reflect on their practices, identify future goals, and develop new ideas for international collaboration in youth civic engagement and human rights education.
The training course brought together 24 youth workers from six countries: Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Türkiye, Morocco, and Albania. Each partner organization selected four youth workers, ensuring diversity, balance, and inclusion within the group.
The target group consisted of youth workers aged 18–30, who were actively involved in youth-led or civil society organizations in their home countries. They all had a good command of English and demonstrated a strong motivation to promote youth engagement, participation, and leadership at the local and international levels.
At least 50% of participants were youth workers with fewer opportunities, including:
- Young people living in rural or remote areas;
- LGBTIQ+ youth;
- Young people living with HIV;
- Roma and indigenous youth;
- Refugees and youth on the move, including those in crisis situations;
- Adolescent girls and women, including survivors of violence.
Participants were selected based on their experience in youth work and non-formal education, with at least two years of engagement in projects promoting young people’s inclusion, empowerment, and participation in democratic life.
The group represented a wide range of social, cultural, and professional backgrounds, contributing to a rich intercultural learning environment. This diversity allowed participants to exchange good practices, develop peer learning dynamics, and strengthen their competencies in inclusive youth work and civic engagement.
The training course was grounded in the principles of non-formal education, focusing on active participation, experiential learning, and peer exchange. We introduced participants to the basic concepts of peer education, using presentations, simplified demonstrations, and participatory discussions that allowed everyone to share expectations and co-shape the learning process.
Throughout the eight days, participants engaged in a variety of interactive and inclusive methods. These included theatre-based techniques, role games, and simulations, which helped them explore real-life challenges in advocacy, leadership, and youth participation. Storytelling and public narrative exercises encouraged reflection on personal values, motivations, and leadership identity, while group discussions and debates fostered critical thinking and mutual understanding.
Participants also took part in creative sessions where they designed their own advocacy materials and campaign ideas, integrating concepts such as conflict resolution, communication, and diversity. Trust-building activities, energizers, and sports sessions were used to maintain motivation and team spirit.
Daily reflection and feedback moments enabled participants to assess their progress, share insights, and contribute to improving the training process. The approach ensured that learning was participatory, inclusive, and empowering.
The training course successfully strengthened the leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement competencies of 24 youth workers from six countries — Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Türkiye, Morocco, and Albania. Participants enhanced their ability to design, implement, and facilitate youth-led initiatives that promote volunteerism, democratic participation, and inclusion. They developed a shared model for meaningful adolescent and youth engagement, which serves as a guiding framework for future local and international youth activities.
Through experiential and non-formal education methods, youth workers acquired practical skills in communication, advocacy, and strategic planning, along with deeper understanding of human rights, diversity, and equality. The project also promoted the European Union Youth Strategy 2019–2027 and the Global Consensus Statement on Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement (MAYE) among participating organizations and individuals.
As a result, participants returned to their communities equipped with new methodologies, digital democracy tools, and civic engagement strategies to foster inclusive participation, tackle social exclusion, and empower marginalized youth. They reported increased confidence in facilitating youth dialogue, promoting tolerance, and applying intercultural learning in their everyday work.
Publications:
https://www.facebook.com/YPEER.Network/posts/pfbid0SKfPtyEWLMH8aifzFAWvf1KV965yBpnTnK5Bze1MycPjakeqv5UwoXBwntobycvZl
As a trainer, I was responsible for the design, facilitation, and evaluation of the eight-day international training course. I contributed to developing the overall training concept, agenda, and non-formal learning methodology, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives on youth civic engagement, leadership, and advocacy.
During the activity, I facilitated sessions on peer education, advocacy and public narrative, communication, conflict transformation, diversity and inclusion. I also supported group dynamics, daily reflection processes, and intercultural learning, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all participants, including those with fewer opportunities.
Together with the team, I took part in daily coordination, feedback analysis, and adjustment of the program flow according to participants’ needs. I was also involved in the final evaluation, reporting, and documentation of the project outcomes, contributing to the development of follow-up strategies and future partnerships among the participating organizations.