InnerGarden

InnerGarden will provide a space to contemplate on the value of our work as youth workers and to experience the powerful transformation that can happen both within us and the world around us when we recognize the importance of what we do. The project is designed to present an innovative integrated approach to the holistic development of youth workers, which combines elements from nature-based practices, positive psychology and education, ecopsychology, social work, and personal development. By going through the whole process on their own, participants will have a chance to experience benefits for their own development and learn how to provide similar experiences to young people and other youth workers.

InnerGarden combines deep inner knowledge from indigenous practices and evidence-based science in order to reach a deep understanding of the developmental needs of human beings in every stage of their lives, so that they can get closer to their wholeness. Nowadays, in the ever changing society, youth is lacking inner cohesion and wholeness. Thus, youth workers will become ready to support them as they will gain the competences to develop and facilitate practices that lead in that direction and they will contribute to the holistic growth of their target groups.

Objectives:

• To provide knowledge and skills connecting positive psychology, positive education, personal development, and social work
• To explore models and theories from Ecocentric development, Nature-based learning
• To practice nature-based methods which provoke self-discovery, thus facilitating personal and professional development
• To develop competences that enable youth workers to work with youth on complex personal challenges, thus enabling them to reach their full potential
• To practice and equip the youth workers with tools and techniques for working with youth (especially disadvantaged one) for their personal development, social inclusion and realization
• To explore alternative practices for addressing developmental needs of disadvantaged youth

Methodology:

• Self-discovery and resourcefulness - understanding ourselves and supporting others’ self-development process
• Somatic and kinesthetic learning - embodiment as a method for deepening connection to oneself and provoking kinesthetic learning experiences
• Physical exercises – practices based on yoga and other traditions that can be implemented in everyday life
• Outdoor creativity and nature – connecting with the self, nature, other people, and the outside world, organise open air learning and creativity activities
• Non-Religious Spirituality – exploring secret-sacred elements, sharing experiences, understanding human spirituality in different cultural backgrounds, exploring rituals and ceremonies
• Meditation and mindfulness – tools for focusing and balancing attention, emotions and consciousness.

Project elements:

• Working with values
• Nature based methods
• Experiential learning
• Methods for self-development
• Workshops development and delivery
• Group and solo time in nature
• The Way of Council
• Holistic Practices and self-healing
• Living as a community

The project is for you if:

• you are a resident of Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain or Turkey
• you have relevant professional experience - the participants should have one of the following roles: youth or social workers, youth leaders, educational and career counsellors, teachers, general educators, trainers, mentors, coaches, educational nature guides, people who care for people
• you feel a strong calling to participate in this course and have strong and relevant motivation for joining the process. The motivation should be a blend of personal and professional factors. We are looking for people who feel comfortable with being in nature (as the topic will be addressed through nature-based practices), who can immerse in natural learning environments, be willing to explore body based methods and non-religious spirituality
• you are over 21 years old and have at least communicative level of English to enable full participation in the program.
• you are available to participate in the whole program. It means coming later or leaving earlier is not allowed. The program will run long hours during the day and also offer some night activities.
• you are ready to commit to follow our strict SOBRIETY POLICY (to refrain from using any consciousness altering substance - alcohol, cannabis, any drug etc. - for the whole duration of the course)
• you want to commit to engage in the whole process of the course (if selected) including the ONLINE PREPARATION (includes articles and videos to familiarize with the theoretical background, as well as nature-based practices to do at home in the weeks prior to departure) and the FOLLOW UP COMMITMENTS (to create at least one dissemination activity in your local community - organising a workshop, writing an article etc. - after the course).

Trainers Team: Ognian Gadoularov (Bulgaria), Anastasia Priyamvada Charitidou (Greece) & Tina Kovacic (Slovenia)
Project Coordinator: Sylwia Nowak (Poland)

Project Infopack: https://tinyurl.com/InnerGardenInfopack