YOU(th) Decide training
YOU(th) Decide!! Training
From July 11-14, 2021, we conducted a training for youth workers and youth leaders as part of the YOU(th) Decide!! initiative. The training activities took place in the town of Tuchów, Poland.
The main goal of the training was to strengthen the capacities of partner organizations by developing the competencies of youth workers and youth leaders active in these organizations.
The 16 participants were provided with tools and methods that will enable them to enhance participation among young people in their communities. The mobility also offered participants the opportunity to experience some of the activities they will later apply at the local level during meetings with youth. The trainers presented ways to identify the needs and problems of young people, prioritize them, and communicate the findings. During the training, the concept of structured dialogue and its main characteristics were introduced. Participants then shared practical experiences with implementing activities that facilitate dialogue between young people and so-called important adults.
Day 1 of Training:
The initial activities involved participants getting to know each other, presenting their previous experiences with the topic, and their expectations for the training. As the group consisted of experienced youth workers, representatives of the Tuchów municipal government, and young youth leaders, team-building activities and creative methods were used to break the ice. We used the first day to present the YOU(th) Decide!! initiative, its timeline, and anticipated activities.
Day 2 of Training:
The second day of training was dedicated to youth participation.
During the introductory activities, participants shared the perspectives of young people from their communities on this topic. Together, we tried out activities that will help us define the concept of participation and delineate its forms during local meetings with young people in our communities. Subsequently, we focused on motivating young people to participate and how we can support it. Creative methods, group work, and discussions were used.
In the second part of the day, we focused on identifying the needs of young people and the problems they perceive in their surroundings. We tried out activities that will help us in this regard when conducting local meetings. Subsequently, we discussed possible adaptations for local needs. The end of the day was dedicated to R. Hart's Ladder of Participation. We asked ourselves why it is important for young people to be able to assess the level of participation in their community and how the ladder of participation can help us achieve the goals of the YOU(th) Decide!! initiative.
Day 3 of Training:
During the third day of training, we focused on structured dialogue and future cooperation between young people and so-called important adults. We emphasized the importance of thorough preparation for both groups and setting rules that participants will adhere to during discussions. After trying out several discussion methods and tools to support group work, we proceeded to share examples of good practice from our communities. The educational program was enhanced by a short visit to the Tuchów municipal office and the cultural center, which carries out activities aimed at young people from the town. We concluded the day by planning new joint activities that can support the achievement of YOU(th) Decide!! goals.
4. Day 4 of Training
We dedicated the final day of mobility to specifying the next steps and milestones of the YOU(th) Decide!! initiative. We summarized the methodology that will be used in local meetings with youth and discussed potential risks of their implementation. Participants unanimously agreed on conducting activities in person. Another point of discussion was the dissemination of local activities and the creation of promotional materials. Partners agreed that young participants themselves should be involved in this creation, as their perspective will be crucial in determining whether young people find the promotional materials attractive and whether they will use them.
After clarifying the next steps of the initiative, we offered participants an "Open Space" where they could share their experiences with participatory budgeting, cooperation with local governments, creating strategic documents such as action plans or concepts for youth work, and the possibilities of involving youth councils – youth parliaments – in decision-making processes within local government.
This was followed by evaluation in verbal, graphic, written, and motor forms.
YOU(th) Decide!! is an initiative co-financed by the International Visegrad Fund
International partners:
Local partners:
