coME AS YOU are

coME AS YOU are is an international training course that aims to empower youth workers through the integration of somatic practices and movement, creative expression, and nature-based practices in their personal and professional life. The project relies on mirroring (ME AS YOU) as an important tool for learning to be compassionate towards self, others and nature, as well as fostering belonging to the community and the larger ecosystem. Using a variety of non-formal education methods and experiential learning, it will equip participants with powerful tools and skills needed to become compassionate guides, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for vulnerable young people.

Objectives

In this training course participants will:

• Build knowledge on how to create a supportive environment where young people can be safe in expressing themselves, share and connect empathetically.
• Explore new practices for fostering creativity and authentic self-expression, using various media, and apply these to their work through the lenses of the theory of multiple intelligence. 
• Learn new ways to connect to our bodies and use the transformative effect of movement and embodiment practices in building presence, mindfulness and connection to others.
• Develop attitudes and skills related to recognising and expressing emotions, self-empathy, empathic listening, emotional self-regulation.
• Experience and experiment with the tools offered in order to co-create activities and build confidence in facilitating workshops.

Elements of the training

Embodied Practices: 

Using the tools of contact improvisation, authentic movement and somatic practices, as well as the art of slowing down, we will deepen our relationship to our bodies, learn to be more present, mindful and compassionate.

Creative Expression: 

We will gain tools that go beyond words, learning how to free ourselves from outcome expectations and enjoy the creative process of expressing authentically from the heart. We will also learn how to facilitate art-based activities that encourage self-expression, empathy, and understanding by applying the theory of multiple intelligence.

Nature Immersion and Mirroring: 

Deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and nature, fostering a strong sense of compassion for the environment, as well as develop a sustainability mindset. Understanding ourselves as a part of the whole, as part of nature will help fulfil the longing for community, the feeling of closeness and empathy towards humans, other living beings and our ecosystem in general.

It’s for you if…

You have a desire to connect with nature, are interested in self development and are up for being outdoors most of the time.

You are actively participating in the sending organizations, and are committed to fully dedicate to the non-formal learning process, including all the phases of the project - from the preparation to follow-up and dissemination of the results.

You have experience related to the training topic, and have a strong desire to commit fully to the learning process, getting out of your comfort zone and deep into connection. 

Phases of the project

By applying to this training you commit to participate in all the phases of the project, if selected.

• Preparation: an online meeting and preparation activities before the training course
• Training course: 9 days of activities and experiences in person in the Slovenian countryside
• Follow-up: each participant commits to create at least one follow-up activity in their home community to contribute to the impact of the TC, as well as to share their experience in their professional networks
• Evaluation: participants evaluate the learning experience after the TC via an online form

For more details see the attached Call for Participants.