'Mindful Journeys' - Partner (03.2024)

The training course aimed to equip youth workers with mindfulness techniques to enhance their own well-being and improve their work with young people. This project aligned with our mission to promote holistic education by incorporating mental health and self-awareness practices into youth work. In an era of increasing stress and digital distractions, the project addressed the need for mental resilience, self-awareness, and emotional regulation in youth work. The main objectives were:

- To introduce mindfulness techniques and their practical application in youth work.
- To enhance emotional intelligence and stress management skills among youth workers.
- To develop new approaches for integrating mindfulness into non-formal education.
- To provide space for personal reflection, self-development, and peer learning.
- To foster international cooperation in youth work through mindfulness-based methodologies.

The training course took place in Slunecnice, Czech Republic, bringing together youth workers from five different countries: Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland. Participants were youth workers, educators, and students of youth-related subjects, selected for their interest in mental well-being, personal development, and mindfulness.

The training used non-formal education methodologies, ensuring interactive, experience-based learning. Key methods included:

- Guided mindfulness exercises – Breathing techniques, body scans, and meditation practices.
- Self-reflection and journaling – Encouraging self-awareness and personal growth.
- Theoretical workshops – Understanding the role of mindfulness in youth work.
- Group discussions and peer learning – Sharing experiences and best practices.
- Outdoor activities in nature – Enhancing connection with the environment and self.
- Simulations and role-playing – Applying mindfulness techniques in real-life youth work scenarios.

Providing participants with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.