TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Ilias Giannopoulos
"Design your Youth Exchange" is a Training Course about how to successfully organise and design an international youth exchange with the Erasmus+ Youth program. During the one-week training, we will improve our ideas, gain the necessary expertise and create a suitable project design to implement a youth exchange.
With the expertise acquired, each participant should be enabled to draft an application and develop a suitable project for our specific target groups, especially for young people with fewer opportunities. The training course also offers time to get to know each other and exchange experiences for inspiration and learning from each other.
The target group for the training consisted of project coordinators, group leaders, youth workers, NGO staff, and other individuals working with youth who were interested in designing and implementing a youth exchange.
The participants:
✅ Had at least some basic ideas for organizing a youth exchange.
✅ Were motivated to learn about the implementation possibilities of Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges.
✅ Committed to participating in the entire program.
✅ Were supported by an organization or informal group to develop a Youth Exchange.
✅ Had a sufficient command of the English language.
✅ Were at least 18 years old.
The training was open to residents of Erasmus+ Program countries, including all EU member states, as well as North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Türkiye.
Learning by doing was the main aspect of the methodology.
We provided various inputs, activities, and moments for reflection, allowing participants to make connections with their own backgrounds. There were no predefined expectations regarding what or how they should learn. The training created a space for participants to explore their own learning paths, draw their own conclusions, and apply their insights in practice after the training course had ended.
The training successfully achieved the following outcomes:
- Development and refinement of project designs – Participants created and improved their own Youth Exchange project ideas, making them ready for implementation.
- Enhanced knowledge of Erasmus+ and funding opportunities – Attendees deepened their understanding of Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges and explored additional funding possibilities.
- Practical experience with international youth work methods – Participants engaged in hands-on activities, gaining insight into creative and effective non-formal education methodologies.
- Increased competence in working with young people with fewer opportunities – The training strengthened participants' ability to design inclusive projects that support youth with fewer opportunities.
- Critical discussions on key topics – Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about challenges and best practices in youth exchange implementation.
- Concrete project results – As a direct outcome, at least three Youth Exchange project proposals were prepared for submission in the next Erasmus+ deadline by the training group.
In the trainers' team, I was one of the two main trainers along with Silvan, responsible for designing the training program, conducting the needs assessment, and leading the group throughout the process. My role included facilitating the main sessions about project design, application writing, guiding participants’ learning journeys, and ensuring the overall flow of the training. Additionally, I contributed to adapting the methodology based on participants' needs and dynamics, providing support during reflection moments, and evaluating the outcomes of the training.
Working with Ilias was very fruitful and always cooperative. We have always worked together as equals. Ilias always adhered to all deadlines and was very reliable. He was an inspiring trainer for the participants and was always able to help them with his experience.