TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Armine Movsesyan
The "Ignite the Rural Youth" training course aimed to empower youth workers by equipping them with essential knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to engage effectively in youth work at both local and European levels. The course sought to enhance participants' ability to develop, implement, and evaluate youth initiatives and projects. Additionally, the training aimed to inspire participants to become transformational leaders in their communities, fostering youth participation, active citizenship, and community development, particularly in rural areas.
The training addressed several critical needs:
1) Youth engagement and empowerment
It tackled the need for increased youth engagement in rural areas, where opportunities are often limited. By providing the necessary tools and knowledge, the training aimed to empower young people to take initiative and lead community projects.
2) Capacity building for youth workers
The training course responded to the need for building the capacity of youth workers to effectively engage with and mobilize young people in their communities. This included enhancing their ability to brainstorm project ideas, develop comprehensive project plans, and secure funding to bring these ideas to life.
3) Leadership development
The training addressed the need for leadership development among rural youth, encouraging them to become transformational leaders who can inspire and mobilize others in their communities.
The training course activity aligned closely with the goals of the organizations involved, which were focused on youth empowerment, community development, and fostering active citizenship. By equipping youth workers with the skills to engage in meaningful youth work and develop impactful projects, the training directly contributed to these organizational goals. It promoted youth participation in community life and encouraged the development of initiatives that could lead to long-term positive changes in rural areas. The course also supported the organizations' broader objectives of enhancing youth opportunities and fostering leadership in underserved communities.
The target group for the "Ignite the Rural Youth" training course included youth workers aged 18-30 from rural areas. These participants were selected based on their involvement or interest in youth work, community development, and empowering rural youth. Participants were expected to have a basic level of English proficiency to facilitate communication throughout the training. While previous experience in community work was an asset, the primary focus was on engaging motivated individuals eager to develop their skills in youth work and leadership.
The training course brought together an international group of participants from seven countries: Bulgaria, Armenia, Hungary, Georgia, Ukraine, Lithuania, North Macedonia.
This diverse composition fostered a rich intercultural exchange, allowing participants to share experiences and insights from their respective countries.
In the "Ignite the Rural Youth" training course, we used a range of non-formal learning methods to engage participants actively. Key methods included:
1) Interactive workshops
Facilitated discussions, group brainstorming, and collaborative tasks to explore project development and leadership.
2) Role-playing and simulations
Real-life scenarios to practice decision-making and leadership skills.
3) Group work
Small teams worked on developing community project ideas and action plans.
4) Case studies
Analyzed successful youth initiatives to draw applicable lessons.
5) Creative methods
Art-based activities like storytelling and visual mapping to enhance reflection.
6) Field visits
Practical exposure to local community projects to inspire real-world application.
7) Peer learning
Encouraged sharing experiences and regular reflection sessions to consolidate learning.
These methods fostered a dynamic, participatory learning environment, tailored to the needs of rural youth workers.
The "Ignite the Rural Youth" training course successfully empowered participants by enhancing their skills in youth work, project development, and leadership. Participants developed actionable project plans for their communities, gained essential fundraising knowledge, and were inspired to take on leadership roles in their local areas. The training also fostered a strong network of youth workers across the participating countries, encouraging ongoing collaboration and support.
The success of the training was evident through several indicators:
1) Participants' feedback
Participants reported increased confidence and motivation to lead community projects, as well as improved skills in project planning and fundraising.
2) Project implementation
Many participants initiated community projects in their home countries shortly after the training, demonstrating the practical impact of the course.
3) Continued collaboration
The creation of a cross-border network of youth workers led to ongoing partnerships and the exchange of best practices.
1) https://bit.ly/3AKb9A6
2) https://bit.ly/3X7ukeE
As a full-time trainer in the "Ignite the Rural Youth" course, I co-designed the curriculum to align with project goals, facilitated key sessions on project planning, leadership, and fundraising, provided individual coaching to participants, coordinated with the training team to ensure a smooth program, and evaluated outcomes and contributed to the final report.
Armine excelled as a trainer, delivering an engaging curriculum for this project. Her exceptional facilitation, communication, adaptability, and mentoring skills greatly enhanced the training course's success. Working with her was a pleasure, and her expertise and dedication made a significant impact on the participants.