TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Kristina Zimaj
The training aimed to empower young individuals to recognize and harness their leadership potential while equipping them with practical tools to manage projects and resolve conflicts effectively. The activity specifically addressed the need for youth-friendly leadership education and structured, participatory learning opportunities in Kosovo. It aligned with the mission of Building the Balkans to foster civic engagement and build capacities of young people across the Western Balkans.
Specific objectives included:
Exploring key leadership qualities and diverse leadership styles.
Strengthening understanding of the project management cycle and how leadership traits influence each phase.
Enhancing conflict resolution and group decision-making using structured thinking tools like the Six Thinking Hats method.
This was a national training activity conducted in Kosovo, primarily involving young people from the Peja region. While all participants were residents of Kosovo, the group was ethnically diverse, including members of the Bosnian community, reflecting the multicultural composition of the region.
The training was designed using non-formal education methods to ensure high levels of participation, engagement, and reflection. These methods encouraged experiential learning, peer-to-peer dialogue, and critical thinking. Examples included:
Interactive Discussions: Leadership quotes gallery and group reflections to trigger discussion on values and leadership in context.
Self-Assessment: Participants explored their individual leadership styles through guided reflection tools.
Group Work: Activities like Six Thinking Hats were used to simulate real-life decision-making scenarios and promote teamwork.
Simulations & Case Studies: Applied the project management cycle to youth-led initiatives, making the content practical and relatable.
Ice-breakers & Energizers: Used at key points to build group cohesion and maintain energy levels throughout the day.
The training achieved its objective of building leadership competencies and fostering awareness of structured decision-making tools among youth. Participants left the training with:
Improved self-awareness of their leadership style.
Increased understanding of how to plan and lead youth-driven projects.
Practical skills for resolving group conflicts using a structured methodology.
I served as the lead trainer, responsible for:
Designing the full-day training agenda in alignment with project goals.
Preparing learning materials, presentations, and handouts.
Facilitating all training sessions, including lectures, group work, and reflection exercises.
Moderating discussions, debriefing activities, and supporting participants in self-assessment.
Evaluating the training outcomes and drafting the trainer’s report and learning outcomes documentation.