TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Aleksandr Post
The training course "Erasmus plus Peace" (EPP) aimed to bring together youth workers actively promoting intercultural awareness and tolerance. The primary goal was to disseminate intercultural learning alongside tolerance and peace-building principles, sharing best practices for peaceful, non-violent public actions to enhance the quality of youth work. Specific objectives included: raising awareness about intercultural communication; sharing knowledge on negotiation in diverse cultural contexts; exploring effective conflict resolution regarding cultural exclusion; promoting active youth participation in civil society; developing awareness of dialogue and multiculturalism needs; introducing peace-building concepts and non-violent actions; fostering a positive attitude towards non-formal education for peace-building activities; creating new learning tools; and sharing best practices in the Non-Violence action field. The project also aimed to contribute to mutual understanding between youth in different EU countries and develop the quality of support systems for youth activities through future project development.
The project addressed the need for youth workers, particularly those working with multi-ethnic groups and socially disadvantaged youth, to gain knowledge, competences, and skills in intercultural learning, tolerance, peace-building, and non-violent public actions. It recognized the importance of intercultural awareness and tolerance as fundamental principles for peace in modern multi-cultural European societies. The need was identified through discussions among partner organizations based on their practical work and previous project experiences.
The project fit the goals of the participating organizations as they all work with youth, utilize intercultural learning, and operate in fields related to the project's themes (e.g., human rights, social inclusion, peace-building, civil society, non-formal education, active citizenship). The training provided relevant skills and knowledge, enhancing their capacity to work effectively with diverse youth groups, promote peace and tolerance, and improve the quality of their local and international youth work.
The target group consisted of 28 youth workers actively engaged in their local youth organizations, particularly those working with multi-ethnic groups or youngsters facing social disadvantages. Participants were expected to have decision-making capacity, experience with youth work and non-formal education, and motivation to contribute to all phases and disseminate results. The profile included youth workers potentially facing geographical or economic obstacles themselves. The age requirement was 18+ with no upper limit. Indirect target groups included the partner youth organizations, the young people they work with, and potentially public institutions.
The activity involved participants and organizations from 6 countries: Latvia (Applicant), Lithuania, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Spain (Partners).
The training course was primarily based on non-formal education principles, participatory approaches, and the experiential learning cycle (Concrete Experience → Reflective Observation → Abstract Conceptualisation → Active Experimentation). The program was designed to be flexible, participant-centered, and practical. Specific methods included:
- Icebreakers and team-building games
- Workshops
- Peer-to-peer learning
- Participants' presentations
- Small group, round-table, and plenary discussions
- Role games and simulations (e.g., "Identity Workshop Simulation Game")
- Exercises
- Open sessions
- Meta-plans, brainstorming, mind maps
- Multimedia presentations (used minimally)
- Creative tasks
- Case studies (e.g., Non-Violent Actions)
- Study Visit
- Project-/problem-based approach
- Collaborative learning (group work)
- Demonstrations, examples of good practice
- Living library, forum theatre
- Intercultural evenings
- Energizers
- Daily evaluations ("Reflection time")
- Practical sessions (hands-on practice)
Over 80% of the program involved active participant contribution. Experiential learning and reflection were key, with participants learning group facilitation by experiencing it. Learning outcomes were documented using Youthpass.
The training aimed for youth workers to:
- Gain knowledge on intercultural communication, human rights, group dynamics, conflict/violence/peace definitions, and non-violent actions.
- Develop skills in teamwork, group dynamics, leadership, non-formal methods, experiential learning, self-reflection, negotiation, conflict resolution, planning non-violent actions, networking, project development, and communication in English.
- Foster attitudes of openness, curiosity, tolerance, self-confidence, positive view of non-formal education, respect for cultural diversity, and motivation for peace-building.
- Increase capacity to address conflict, prejudice, racism, and stereotypes.
- Develop plans for follow-up projects and local campaigns. Overall, the project aimed to improve the quality of youth work, enhance participants' professional capacity and self-esteem, strengthen cooperation between organizations, and promote peace, tolerance, and intercultural understanding.
Success was assessed through:
- Daily reflection/feedback groups for participants.
- Daily evening evaluation meetings for the project team.
- Mid-term learning audits allowing for program adjustments.
- A final evaluation session using various methods (reflections, group dynamics discussion) and a printed questionnaire covering personal/intercultural learning, partnership development, follow-up plans, and satisfaction.
- Observation of learning development and project ideas by the trainer team.
- Team evaluation of the entire project and cooperation.
- Use of the official Erasmus+ feedback tool (Mobility Tool+) for individual reports.
- A two-month post-activity follow-up to check on realized projects and partnerships.
- Self-assessment and documentation via Youthpass.
- Planning and delivering specific sessions based on the program outline (e.g., Identity Workshop, definitions of conflict/peace, non-violent actions, project development).
- Facilitating group work, discussions, simulations, and reflection sessions.
- Using and guiding participants through non-formal and experiential learning methods.
- Supporting participants' learning process and self-assessment (including Youthpass).
- Contributing to the positive group atmosphere, intercultural learning, and managing group dynamics.
- Participating in daily team meetings for evaluation and program adjustments.