TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Vassilena Varbanova
The training activity aimed to enhance participants' understanding of social and cultural diversity, directly addressing issues related to hate speech and societal neglect. It sought to foster a greater sense of responsibility, empathy, and acceptance of minorities and migrants while working to reduce stereotypes and hate speech among young people.
The training addressed the need for increased awareness and sensitivity toward diversity, as well as the necessity of combating discrimination and exclusion in society. By equipping young people with knowledge and tools to challenge stereotypes, it contributed to building a more inclusive and respectful community.
This activity aligned with the goals of the organizations involved by promoting tolerance, intercultural understanding, and active citizenship. It supported broader efforts to create a more cohesive and accepting European society, reflecting the organizations’ commitment to human rights, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.
The target group of the activity consisted of 40 participants from diverse backgrounds, including migrants, representatives of minorities, and vulnerable groups. The project brought together individuals from eight partner countries: **Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Jordan, Spain, Poland, Germany, and Moldova**.
By involving participants from different cultural and social contexts, the activity aimed to foster intercultural dialogue, identify the root causes of hate speech, and exchange experiences on how to address and resolve related issues. The diverse composition of the group ensured a broad perspective on the challenges of discrimination and the promotion of tolerance and inclusion.
The training was based on the principles of **non-formal education**, creating an interactive and engaging environment for 40 participants to discuss, share experiences from the media world, and explore diversity issues in different countries. A variety of participatory methods were used to ensure active involvement and meaningful learning.
### **Examples of Methods Used:**
- **Icebreakers** – To help participants get to know each other, build trust, and create a comfortable learning atmosphere.
- **Role plays** – Allowing participants to step into different perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding of the impact of hate speech.
- **Forum theatre** – Encouraging participants to act out real-life scenarios related to discrimination and hate speech, and collectively find solutions to these challenges.
- **Debates** – Engaging participants in structured discussions on controversial topics to develop critical thinking and argumentation skills.
- **Group work** – Promoting teamwork, collaboration, and exchange of ideas among participants with different cultural and social backgrounds.
These methods ensured an inclusive, dynamic, and engaging learning process, tailored to the needs and expectations of participants, as identified through their application letters.
The training activity successfully enhanced participants' understanding of social and cultural diversity, increased their awareness of hate speech issues, and equipped them with tools to promote tolerance and inclusion. Participants gained valuable insights into the causes of hate speech and learned effective strategies to combat stereotypes and discrimination in their communities.
The success of the training was measured through **daily reflection groups, final reflections, and a feedback questionnaire**. These evaluation tools consistently showed **high participant satisfaction** and a strong commitment to applying their newly acquired knowledge in their daily lives. The positive feedback and willingness of participants to implement what they learned demonstrate the training's effectiveness in achieving its goals.
My responsibilities included co-developing the training program alongside my co-trainer, designing and preparing the activities I was responsible for, and delivering the training in collaboration. This involved adapting to the group’s needs in real time, actively reflecting on the process, responding swiftly to emerging dynamics, and evaluating the overall outcomes to ensure an impactful learning experience.
It was a start of our trainers duo and it worked smooth and well.