YFU “Active Citizens Living European Values” (ACLEV)

Aims & objectives

The training activity aimed to empower young people across Europe to become active citizens and engage in strengthening and advancing the European project. It addressed the need for increased awareness, critical thinking, and enthusiasm about European values and the European project among youth. The training fit perfectly with the goals of the organizations involved, aligning closely with their mission to promote active citizenship, create a sense of belonging to a unified Europe, and foster transnational networks for mutual learning and development. By offering workshops on active citizenship, European values, and EU institutions, the training provided participants with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the European project.

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

The target group of the activity comprised young people from various countries across Europe, reflecting the diversity and multiculturalism inherent in the European Union. Nationalities involved in the activity included participants from Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Estonia, Spain, Romania, Sweden, and other EU member states. This international composition enriched the training experience by fostering cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and exchange of perspectives, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of promoting active citizenship and European values.

Training methods used & main activities

The training employed a variety of non-formal learning methods to engage participants actively and facilitate experiential learning. Examples of training methods used include:

Interactive workshops on active citizenship and EU institutions
Simulation exercises, such as the EU Parliament Simulation
Practical exercises on EU policy-making
Visits to European institutions, museums, and historical sites
Intercultural evenings for sharing national specialties and cultural experiences
These methods encouraged participation, critical thinking, and peer-to-peer learning, ensuring an enriching and memorable training experience for all participants.

Outcomes of the activity

The training activity achieved several outcomes indicative of its success in fulfilling its objectives:

Increased awareness and understanding of European values, institutions, and active citizenship among participants
Strengthened sense of belonging to a unified Europe and commitment to European cooperation and solidarity
Establishment of transnational networks for continued learning and collaboration among participants
Celebration of Europe Day through special events and activities organized by participating organizations
Documentation of the training through publications, websites, and social media channels, showcasing the impact and outcomes of the activity to a wider audience.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

As a trainer within the team, my role involved:

Facilitating workshops and interactive sessions on active citizenship, EU institutions, and European values
Coordinating simulation exercises, practical activities, and site visits to enhance participants' understanding and engagement
Providing guidance, mentorship, and support to participants throughout the training process
Contributing to the design and implementation of the training program, ensuring alignment with the objectives and goals of the activity
Collaborating with fellow trainers, organizers, and stakeholders to create a positive and inclusive learning environment conducive to mutual respect, dialogue, and cultural exchange.

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