Youth Participation as a Way of Change

Aims & objectives

The training
explored tools and resources that youth leaders/workers and NGOs have in different
contexts and societies within the broader Europe as well as obstacles and possibilities that
different societies in Europe have when it comes to active citizenship for a young person,
all of these linked with the notion of European citizenship.
Objectives:
• To have participants reflect on their roles as youth leaders as well as on the tools and resources they use for encouraging youth participation;
• To share experience of youth activism in each national context, possibilities and obstacles for youth participation;
• To come to a mutual understanding of how optimal participation of young people is ensured;
• To understand cultural similarities and differences of participants and consequently combat stereotypes;
• To raise awareness about citizenship and the relevant rights;
• To explore the notion of European citizenship and European values;
• To equip participants with new tools and methods to address youth inclusion in their local societies.

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

The training course “Youth Participation as a Way of Change” brought 25 participants from seven different countries, three EU partners from Denmark, Latvia, Romania and four neighbouring EECA partners from Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

Training methods used & main activities

The training course implemented methods of non-formal education such as verbal and visual presentations, small group discussions, plenary debates, role plays/simulations and cultural presentations.

Outcomes of the activity

All the participants appreciated acquiring new contacts and creating new network of acquaintances. Learning importance of team work was underlined by significant number of participants. They mentioned new techniques and methods of non-formal learning/teaching, digital tools as something they gained from the training. Almost all of them noted that they learnt about cultural differences, about Eastern and Western European cultures, traditions and attitudes, similarities and differences between them, acquired information on youth work in each country. Number of participants found the training useful for their own personal development and one of them even expressed the desire to become a trainer in the future.
Most of them noted that they would use acquired knowledge and skills for the future projects and among them joint projects with other participants. They are confident that after going back home not only they will share this information with their NGOs but they themselves try to stay active and further realize more projects with youth involvement.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Me and my co-trainer Ieva was resposable for all TC. We try to work together and i pair to lead all session.
Durring the training we make:
* teambuilding activities
* city game
* discussion about "What it Means to Be Young, Active, European Citizen"
* European values, citizenship, Eastern Europe and Western Europe
* session about How to Activate Inactive Youth

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