TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Branimira Penic
The Meet the Method Project was designed to introduce non-formal education methods to inexperienced or lesser experienced youth workers. The aim of the project was to address the needs of these youth workers and empower them in their future work by providingthem with methods and techniques for non-formal education. In doing so, we linked the points between formal, non-formal and informal learning in lifelong education and youth mobility, just as we inspired cooperation and intercultural dialogue. Especially it was important to include the European vision of education and youth work.
Therefore, the main objectives of the “MTM” project were to:
• Deeply understand non-formal education and life-long learning, its characteristics and purpose in intercultural dimension;
• Develop the professionalism of youth workers in the field of the non- formal education (further NFE) which leads to civic engagement and responsible citizenship;
• Promote European cooperation in the field of youth and creating equal opportunities for education through intercultural sharing and exchange of good practices.
To assure the accomplishment the above-mentioned, we also set several specific objectives:
• To enable exchanges of best practice, experiences and expertise while promoting a more democratic and civic society,
• To provide strengthening of youth worker’s self-confidence in NFE, developing their creativity, and empowering their cognitive, effective and practical skills,
• To develop facilitation skills needed to deliver quality NFE programs in a manner that encourages participation, ownership and creativity by all those involved.
Team:
The participants in the training were active youth workers and youth leaders who needed additional education on different non-formal education methods they can use in everyday youth work. Emphasis was also on working in culturally very different team.
The training involved 7 countries: Anguilla, Aruba, Croatia, North Macedonia, Sint Maarten, Serbia and Slovenia, with a total of 30 participants.
Different non-formal education methods were used during this training, including icebreakers, team-building activities, group work, treasure hunts, role plays and reflection activities.
Here is the description of non-formal method we used:
Session 1: Actionbound
Through this session, participants explored a local community and experience interculturalism through the digital Actionbound app.
Participants are divided in teams of 5 or 6, each of which receives an access QR code to start Actionbound. Through interactive tasks, they explored the surroundings, found certain people, found information, took photos and videos, and wrote down answers to specific questions depending on where the tasks led them.
Examples of tasks:
• Take a selfie with an unknown person from this local community! Meet the local resident(s) and inspire them to take a photo with your group. Upload the photo and share it with us.
• As a group, choose one international song that describes the Meet the Method project. Decide on an anthem of our project, and upload an audio of your team singing that song! BONUS: Invent your own song/anthem!
• Find exactly 3 things that are in common for each member of your team and list them!
• Make a group video in which each team member is saying one sentence in a language unknown to him/her, but a language that is represented in this project. Ps. practice it before you record it/upload it.
• What was the original name of Washing mini market? Yeah, you need to move out of the Youth center to find the answer. BONUS: what's the story behind the name?
• Take a picture of three Aruban national animals! Name at least one of them in Papiamento. HINT: Creativity mode ON.
• Take a photo of a traditional cunucu house.
• As a team, think of a motto to promote Erasmus opportunities among your friends and / or colleagues? Don't forget to KISS!
Teams have limited time to complete the challenges set by the app, and decide on when and how they will take breaks during Actionbound etc. They upload the results of their Actionbounds on the platform.
They need to be back in the working room at a specific time where the group will see uploaded results, and where teams will share their experiences.
Reflection on the activity:
• How was the Actionbound experience for you?
• How did you make decisions about tasks within your team?
• What did you like most and least about the activity?
• What was the most fun of it?
• How can you implement Actionbound with young people with whom you work?
In this publication you can find the timetable:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlsta8Md991WhOpAtO26DuNSU7v0LJio/view?usp=sharing
- Increased Professionalism and Skills in Non-Formal Education: The project resulted in youth workers gaining a deeper understanding of non-formal education and life-long learning. They developed facilitation skills, creativity, and confidence, enabling them to deliver high-quality non-formal education programs that foster participation and responsible citizenship.
- Enhanced Intercultural Dialogue and European Cooperation: Through the exchange of best practices and experiences, the project promoted intercultural dialogue and cooperation among European and Caribbean youth workers, contributing to a more democratic and civic society.
- Empowerment of Youth Workers for Future Work: The project empowered youth workers by providing them with the necessary methods and techniques for non-formal education, enabling them to link formal, non-formal, and informal learning, and to inspire active youth participation and equal educational opportunities across Europe.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/100067932166928/posts/1139844809913188/
Publication: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlsta8Md991WhOpAtO26DuNSU7v0LJio/view?usp=sharing
I was in charge of preparing and implementing educational program and coordinating dissemination activities.
I was the co-trainer for this training in a team that consisted of 2 experienced trainers.