Training programme aims at:

– developing competencies of youth workers to facilitate the learning process in the context of Erasmus+: Youth in Action and European Solidarity Corps projects;

– contributing to the development of quality of projects implemented within Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes by introducing facilitation of learning as a regular practice of youth workers.

By the end of the training programme participants will:

– be able to support young people with their learning and involve youngsters in the planning of learning.

– be ready to create a suitable learning environment and the basis for self-assessment and harvesting of learning.

– engage young people in dialogue, address motivation and participation issue with young people

– have the capacity to analyze themselves as learners and supporters of learners

– know and use new approaches that help young people to set learning goals, become aware and recognize learning outcome in the youth projects;

– reconsider their everyday youth work practices from a learning perspective,

– redesign/ review learning dimension in current Erasmus+/European Solidarity Corps projects and youth work within their organization

Main topics planned to be covered during the TC:

— Learning in the context of youth work and Erasmus+ and Solidarity Corps projects.

— Youthpass as a practical tool to support learning

— Elements of the learning process and their connection to motivation and participation

— Methods and tools for goal setting, planning, facilitating learning experience, reflecting and evaluating

— Competencies for facilitation of learning

— Feedback and evaluation

— The Standard of youth worker competence (ref. European Training Strategy)

— Sharing experience in facilitation of learning process, connecting theory and practice of learning in non-formal education

Profile of the target group: 

21 youth workers from Latvia, Estonia, Hungary:

– working with young people on a daily basis either nationally or internationally;

– representing organisation/institution (employee/long-term volunteer);

– willing to introduce and strengthen learning facilitation element in the organization;

– having experience in implementation of Erasmus+/European Solidary Corps project (at least one);

– able to work in English;

– ready and able to take part in the training programme for its all duration from May 2019 till November 2019.

Approach / methodology, learning environment / conditions

The methodology of the training programme is based on the fundamental principles of non-formal education. The methods provided will enable participants to explore and fully participate in the learning process. This programme focuses on key aspects of learning, non-formal education like the participant-centered approach and experiential learning. Moreover, an essential element of the methodology is based on the holistic nature of the learning experience, through methods that involve not only cognitive or intellectual approaches but also covering the emotional and attitudinal ones.

This way the learning is enhanced as it embraces the three dimensions of human learning. The Youthpass approach will be used to structure and direct the learning process. The diversity of working methods (presentations, role plays, simulations, sharing practices, debates, energizers, individual reflection questionnaires, feedback techniques, teamwork, etc) will illustrate the meaning of learning in youth work.

The international composition of the group of participants will be an asset to explore the multicultural dynamics of teamwork. The long term approach and mentorship throughout the programme will provide the support for follow up activities and integration of new experience in the everyday youth work practice.

Training in May is followed by individual work in participants own organizations with mentoring support from the trainers. 

Background of trainers

Aune Lillemets has a background in youth work: being a mentor to the student companies and European Youth project teams, working in a youth camp in Greece and most recently, delivering social entrepreneurship courses to the youngsters. She has been giving training since 2005, mostly about social entrepreneurship, project management and active learning methods. She is passionate about the topic of learning. Her initial interest was learning about the active learning methods, especially drama methods and using them for the training. Recently her interest focuses more on brain science and digital learning.

Natalja Gudakovska is a trainer in the youth field since 2006.  She is a trainer of the Pool of Trainers of Youth Department of the Council of Europe and Latvian National Agency of Erasmus+: Youth in Action Programme, and a student of psychology in the University of Latvia. Learning, learning motivation and self-regulated learning are the fields of professional interest. Natalja strongly believes that non-formal education has the power to support people in building their lives, present and the future. She also thinks that every human being has their potential to find their own way in life and youth work can support them in choosing their direction. For other interests: development of educational games and gasification processes, nature, traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading and doing sport.