(Fermenting Unsatisfactory Nutrition) F.U.N. in the Jar

Aims & objectives

The main aims of the Erasmus+ training course, were:
- bring together representatives of 14 European organizations in order to share good practices and Raise awareness about how food choices nutrition influence on the well-being young people
- Explore health and sustainable benefits of fermentation through non-formal practical workshops

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

The group was composed by 31 youth workers (including kitchen responsibilities people: fermentistas, chefs, kitchen managers, administrators, nutritionists), from:
- Romania
- Spain
- Italy
- Greece
- the Netherlands
- Malta
- Portugal

Training methods used & main activities

The working methods were based on non-formal education:
- lectures with Q&A about nutrition and fermentation
- practical workshops
- brainstorming and working groups on healthy and sustainable lifestyles in regarding to eating habits and disorders among young people
- theater of the oppressed methods
- outdoor activities and connection with nature (recognition and use of food from garden and forest)
- role-plays on policy making in regards to food
- breaking myths about nutrition
- creative workshops on labeling and choosing supermarket products
- cooking
- creation of tool for young people (tutorials, short video, booklet)
- presentation and guidance for the Youthpass Certificate in an interactive and engaging way

Outcomes of the activity

- a healthy and sustainable menu that can be implemented in youth exchanges and 7-8 days programmes for groups of young people
- 4 forum theater plays on eating disorders, representing realistic situation that the youth workers faced
- 5 tutorials about the basics of fermentation
- one booklet about nutrition and fermentation in youth work, including good practices, workshops, information, recipes
- one mini-documentary with testimonials of the youth workers
- more than 50 jars with different types of fermented products

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

My main tasks in the project were:
- project designer
- communication with the partners
- coordinator of the team involved
- creator of promotional materials (infopack, posters, application form)
- logistic and administrative management
- facilitator of non-formal activities, daily evaluation and feedback
- reporting and budgeting

I worked on this training for 8 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Without Bogdan's support the succes of this project, wont have been posible.

He held space for every need, regardless it was someone from the organization or a participant.

He managed, extremly well, to create a safe space for people to express them selves and their opinion as well as promoted wonferull and fun dynamics that made the flow os the acitvities wasy easier and relaxed.

He draw the lines when it was needed, with charisma, love and respect but knew how to keep the authority as its needed.

He melted with the team, as well as with the participants in a wonderfull way where everybody felt seen, confortable and heard.