TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Mahmoud ElSayed
The training aimed to promote inclusion, mutual understanding, and connection by bringing young Europeans and recent immigrants together to share stories, explore European identity, challenge stereotypes, and foster active citizenship. It addressed the critical need for intercultural dialogue, combated xenophobia, supported young people with fewer opportunities, and equipped youth workers with inclusive facilitation methods. This activity directly aligned with the goals of Youth Line Netherlands and its partner organizations to promote democratic participation, European values, non-formal learning methodologies, eco-friendly practices, and wider engagement with Erasmus+ opportunities.
The target group consisted of 30 participants aged 18–30 (including both young Europeans and recent immigrants), alongside youth workers, educators, facilitators, and group leaders. The activity brought together participants and team members from 5 countries: The Netherlands (Organizer), Latvia, Romania, Spain, and Lithuania.
The activity exclusively used non-formal learning (NFL) and experiential, peer-to-peer training methodologies. Examples of methods included the "PhotoVoice" project methodology (combining storytelling and visual art), interactive role-playing and simulation games (such as the "Take a Step Forward" privilege game, "Can I Come In?!", and "A Mosque in Sleepyville"), World Café discussions on citizenship and culture, "Activism vs. Vandalism" debating forums, and small-group creative workshops.
The training successfully enhanced intercultural empathy, strengthened key participant competences (leadership, teamwork, dialogue, and creative facilitation), produced collaborative PhotoVoice visual art projects, and developed participant-led dissemination campaigns for local communities. Its success was verified through daily structured reflection groups, a Midterm Evaluation session, and a comprehensive Final Evaluation on the last working day. The documentation and results are featured on the official Youth Line Netherlands website, social channels, and project summary visuals.
Served as a full-time Lead Trainer and Facilitator as part of the core international trainer team. Key responsibilities included co-designing, preparing, and delivering non-formal learning sessions (including World Café debates, simulation games, and PhotoVoice workshops), leading daily teambuilding and group cohesion activities, managing daily reflection groups, conducting evaluations, and mentoring participants in creating their project outputs and dissemination strategies.