TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Aleksandr Post
The overall aim of "The soul of YOUth work" training course was to highlight the value of volunteering as a successful pathway for skills development and into employment for young people. It sought to improve the effectiveness of voluntary work at national and European levels by addressing the lack of recognition for skills gained through volunteering and promoting positive examples of youth engagement.
Specific objectives for the participating youth workers were to:
- Conceptualize volunteering approaches within their work context.
- Foster individual and organizational skills in planning, implementing, mentoring, and evaluating local and international volunteering projects.
- Develop organizational solutions for the inclusion of young people (especially those with fewer opportunities) in volunteering projects.
- Develop organizational strategies and checklists for essential steps in volunteering projects.
The training addressed the need for better recognition and utilization of skills developed through volunteering. It tackled the issue that positive examples of volunteering often lack visibility. It also aimed to address the low participation rates in volunteering among disadvantaged youth and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, promoting volunteering as a pathway to employment and experience. The project also responded to the need for youth workers to acquire skills (including digital) to transfer societal values to hard-to-reach youth and prevent radicalization.
The project fit the needs of the participating organizations as they all work with youth and utilize volunteering in their activities. It helped them improve the quality and inclusiveness of their volunteering projects, enhance their capacity to manage such projects effectively (both locally and internationally, including European Solidarity Corps), and better support the learning and skills development of their volunteers. The training provided youth workers with skills and methods for their professional development relevant to their daily work.
The target group consisted of 29 participants in total. Participants were youth workers from the partner organizations, aged 18+ (no upper limit), with experience or interest in working with volunteers locally or internationally. They needed a basic understanding of volunteering concepts in the EU, good English proficiency, and the disposition to engage in mutual learning and transfer the outcomes to their practice. Personal experience as a volunteer was considered an asset.
The training course involved participants and organizations from 6 countries: Latvia (Applicant), Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain (Partners).
The training course was based on non-formal education methods, featuring a learner-centered, flexible, adaptable, and inclusive approach grounded in voluntary participation. It provided space for participants to share experiences and exchange competencies. Specific methods included:
- Icebreakers, energizers, name games.
- Workshops.
- Debates.
- Exercises.
- Participant-led program parts.
- Open space techniques.
- Peer-to-peer learning.
- Facilitated discussions.
- Creative presentations.
- Simulations.
- Case studies.
- Reflection groups (daily).
- Working in intercultural subgroups.
- Developing and planning a campaign.
The methodology emphasized hands-on approaches, self-reflection, and the practical applicability of tools. Youthpass was used for competence reflection and recognition.
The training aimed for participants (youth workers) to:
- Be able to conceptualize volunteering and use it for youth empowerment.
- Gain skills to motivate, manage, and coach local/international volunteers.
- Learn to set learning objectives and monitor outcomes with volunteers.
- Develop strategies for including young people (especially those with difficulties) in volunteering.
- Create checklists and procedures for volunteering projects.
- Successfully promote volunteering and active participation locally.
- Improve competences in communication (English), cultural awareness/expression, critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, learning-to-learn, and dissemination.
- Build new international contacts and enhance capacity for transnational work. The project also aimed to improve organizational practices regarding volunteer management and inclusion, leading to higher quality volunteering projects and increased visibility. A key tangible outcome was the development of plans for follow-up projects (local volunteering and European Solidarity Corps).
Success was evaluated through:
- Daily reflection and evaluation sessions in facilitated/self-facilitated groups.
- Daily project team meetings to discuss participant feedback and adapt the program.
- A final evaluation session including participant reflections and a printed questionnaire covering personal/intercultural learning, checklist development, partnerships, follow-up plans, and satisfaction.
- Ongoing observation by the trainer team regarding learning development and project ideas.
- Final team evaluation of the project and cooperation.
- Use of the official Erasmus+ feedback tool (Mobility Tool+) for participant reports.
- A 2-month follow-up contact with partners and participants to assess the realization of follow-up projects and partnerships.
- Use of Youthpass for self-assessment and recognition of learning.
- Co-designing and delivering specific sessions focused on volunteering (e.g., planning, implementation, mentoring, evaluation, inclusion, ESC).
- Using and adapting non-formal education methods for the group.
- Facilitating discussions, group work, and reflection processes.
- Supporting participants in developing their own check-lists and follow-up project ideas.
- Contributing expertise based on your background (e.g., in project management, NFE, specific aspects of volunteering).
- Participating in daily team meetings for planning and evaluation.
- Supporting the overall learning environment and intercultural exchange.