TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Fabio Meazza
'Colourful Hands', funded by Erasmus+, aimed to enhance youth workers' competences in graphic facilitation, graphic recording and visual thinking. The training was designed to make educational and youth work more engaging and inclusive, empowering participants with tools to adapt to various learning styles and improve accessibility. Key objectives included boosting theoretical and practical skills in graphic facilitation, unleashing the potential of visual creativity, and building self-confidence in applying these new skills effectively in youth work.
The training included 21 participants from seven European countries: Spain, Estonia, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Italy and Greece, reflecting a diverse intercultural composition. These participants were youth workers, NGO staff and educators, all engaged in or aspiring to work with youth in their respective communities. These workers were generally beginners in the field of graphic facilitation and digital visual tools but had at least an intermediate level of proficiency in English. All were above the age of 18 and demonstrated a strong motivation to be involved in every phase of the project, from preparation to dissemination. The project put a particular emphasis on inclusivity, aiming to select participants who face fewer opportunities due to geographical, social, economic, or cultural barriers. The selection ensured a mix of experiences and backgrounds, promoting rich intercultural exchanges and mutual learning among participants.
Partner organisations:
- SPAIN, Asociación Cultural L'Ayalguina
- POLAND, YoWo Poland
- ESTONIA, Partner Up Estonia
- ITALY, Arcus - Arte e Cultura Sociale
- CROATIA, LAG Vallis Colapis
- GREECE, I-Participate
- SERBIA, Klub za Osnaživanje Mladih 018
The training course employed a variety of non-formal education techniques to foster a conducive learning environment. Participants were gradually introduced to graphic facilitation methods and tools, allowing them to actively engage and experiment with these new techniques. This immersive, hands-on approach was supplemented by a range of participatory activities including workshops, simulations, role-playing games, and outdoor exercises, along with group discussions aimed at problem-solving and brainstorming. In this learner-centric environment, participants not only learned from trainers but also took the initiative to design and lead their workshops, the content of which contributed to the project guide.
In addition to the formal learning activities, daily evening reflection sessions were integrated into the course, providing a platform for participants to share experiences and offer feedback in a safe and supportive setting. These reflective sessions encouraged active participation and dialogue, enabling participants to exchange best practices and insights. The ultimate goal was to cultivate a sense of collective wisdom and strengthen positive group dynamics, ensuring that each participant felt empowered and actively involved in their learning and the shared objectives of the group.
- Competence Development: Participants experienced significant development in various areas, including creativity, graphic facilitation, visual thinking, accessibility, and diversity awareness. By acquiring these new competences, the individual youth workers became more skilled and effective in their roles. The enhanced competences also contributed to improving the quality of services and activities they conducted in their local organizations and communities.
- Video Production: Participants successfully produced videos that utilized graphic facilitation methods. These videos aimed to encourage other youth workers to adopt graphic facilitation in their daily activities with youth. This outcome demonstrates the participants' ability to apply the skills they learned during the training course to create valuable resources for the youth work community.
As a full-time trainer in a team composed of 3 total people, I had the opportunity to deliver engaging and informative sessions on various topics. These sessions covered essential subjects such as the design thinking process, visual communication, graphic digital tools and the principles of graphic facilitation, among other relevant themes.
A major part of my duties focused on educating participants about digital tools applicable to design and graphic creation in youth work settings. These tools provided participants with creative ways to elevate their projects and connect more effectively with their intended audiences. Moreover, I took on the role of guiding participants through sessions on Erasmus+ and Youthpass, crucial aspects of youth work that empower young people through international mobility and recognition of their learning achievements.
In addition to delivering the training content, I played a significant role in supervising the reflection process of the participants. Encouraging them to reflect on their learning experiences and personal growth during the training was vital in helping them gain deeper insights into their development as youth workers.