A Journey of Growth and Connection: Exploring the EDU-Facilitation 3.0 Program
Here at Proactive Network, and with all our amazing partner organizations, we are thrilled to share an inside look into the transformative program of our recent EDU-Facilitation 3.0 training course! From February 9th to 18th, 2025, 30 youth workers from across Europe gathered for an unforgettable experience designed to boost creativity, enhance facilitation skills, and foster lasting connections. Let’s walk you through what made each day so special.
Day 1 – Setting the Stage
Our journey began with a bang! The first day was all about getting to know each other and setting the stage for an intense and productive week. We kicked off with practicalities and an overview of the week ahead. Then, through fun activities, we learned each other’s names, discovered where everyone came from, and shared our experiences with Erasmus+ projects. After a lively discussion about Dungeons (yes, really!), we even transformed into princesses and dragons before our first coffee break!
The afternoon brought a fantastic team-building activity that transported us into a jungle scenario. We developed strategies to outsmart a lion, drawing important conclusions about teamwork and reflecting on what it means to feel involved versus included. We then delved into the PPP model (People, Product, Process), discussing its importance for successful group work. Before lunch, we tackled the differences between formal, non-formal, and informal learning, all while learning experientially. The day concluded with a tour of the venue and a purpose-driven walk led by Chito, where we discovered objects around the scout center that could be used for educational activities, truly opening our minds to new possibilities.
Day 2 – Deep Dive into NFE
Day two plunged us deeper into the world of Non-Formal Education. The morning started with a session on Non-Violent Communication (NVC) and Feedback Giving, which was incredibly insightful for improving our communication skills. In the afternoon, we focused on Experiential Learning, exploring how to use learning through experience and lead meaningful reflection. The session was framed by Kolb’s Learning Cycle, highlighting the value of each stage in the process and offering participants practical insights into creating impactful learning experiences. This helped us recognize how different people absorb information and how we can tailor our activities to be more inclusive and effective. The practical workshops in the afternoon kept us engaged, followed by enriching „LSD (Learning, Support, Development) Reflection Groups“ and „Daily Rituals“ to consolidate our learning. Evening was dedicated to an Intercultural Night, where national groups proudly presented their countries’ values, traditions, and opportunities. Through dances, traditional food and drinks, and engaging activities, they invited others to experience their culture and discover what their countries have to offer within the spirit of exchange, inspiration, and connection across Europe.
Day 3 – Learning Styles & Facilitation
This morning began with a rare treat – a longer sleep and the magical sight of snow falling, for some participants the very first time in their lives. Over breakfast, we shared leftover snacks from yesterday’s intercultural night, enjoying sweets from across Europe. The morning programme was lively and interactive, starting with energisers and moving into activities exploring four learning perspectives – active, observing, theorist, and pragmatist. After lunch, we dived into the question of what it means to facilitate and what makes a good facilitator, generating ideas through a dynamic discussion. The day concluded with preparations for the upcoming creative labs, where participants formed groups to design workshops on Human Rights, Communication, and Media.
Day 4 – Preparing for Creation
Day four was all about preparation. The energy was palpable as we dedicated the entire day to planning for our Creative Labs! This was the moment where all the theory, tools, and inspiration started to converge into tangible ideas. Working in our national teams, we began designing the workshops that we would soon bring to life. It was a day of intense collaboration, brainstorming, and translating concepts into practical activities. We had structured time for group work, allowing us to build on each other’s strengths and refine our ideas, culminating in dedicated reflection time.
Day 5 – Stepping into Our Role
Today was all about digging deep into our roles as facilitators. In the morning, we had an inspiring session on the motivation behind being a facilitator and discussed the common difficulties we might face in our work. It was a great opportunity to share our experiences and realize we all face similar challenges. In the afternoon, the Creative Labs kicked off! This was the beginning of the most exciting part of the project. We started preparing the workshops we will later bring home and implement in our organizations. It was a day of intense brainstorming and collaboration within our national teams.
Day 6 – Parallel Paths to Expertise
On day three, we had the exciting opportunity to choose our own learning paths through Parallel Workshops! These specialized sessions allowed us to dive into topics that truly interested us or met the specific needs of our organizations. The options included: „Visual Facilitation,“ „Game-Based Learning,“ „Group Dynamics,“ and „Presentation Skills“. It was amazing to see everyone engage with new tools and techniques, preparing us for the bigger challenge ahead. The day was rounded off with more „LSD Reflection Groups“ and our relaxing „Daily Rituals“. Later we had dedicated time to preparing for the second round of Creative Labs. With all the inspiration from the previous days, our national teams got to work, designing and fine-tuning the parallel workshops we would present to each other. It was a day of intense collaboration, brainstorming, and putting all the theory and tools we had learned into practice. We even had a session for reflection at the end of the day to make sure we were on the right track.
Day 7 – Creative Labs Day II: Bringing Ideas to Life!
Creative Labs Day II! This was the day we truly unleashed our creativity. In our national teams, we designed our own parallel workshops, which we will later bring home and implement in our organizations. First up were Spain, with a creative writing and storytelling workshop, and the Czech Republic, focusing on coping strategies and well-being. Next, our Baltic sisters, Estonia and Latvia, took the stage. The Estonians introduced their own board game on self-reflection and team building, „Let’s Find Your Ikigai,“ while the Latvians delivered a highly practical workshop on facilitation for different learning styles. After lunch, three more workshops awaited us: parallel sessions by Romania and Greece, followed by a final joint session led by Croatia. The Romanians prepared an engaging session on volunteering and community empowerment, while the Greeks did an amazing job exploring intercultural learning differences. And we must say, the flipcharts from all teams were absolutely fantastic!. We wrapped up the sessions with a kaleidoscope activity from Croatia, exploring the theme of observation: from the external to the internal. And what better way to end the day than with a bonfire outside…?. Together, we reflected, expressed our gratitude, and burned papers where we had written our personal, intimate thoughts: things we wanted to let go of. It was a truly heartfelt moment. That would have been enough for one day… but no! Another surprise awaited us, a warm speech from Chito, a song (policía!), and a mini-celebration over a shared dinner. What a day!
Day 8 – Looking to the Future
Our final full day was all about tying up loose ends and looking to the future. We started by reflecting on what we learned from the Creative Labs and the overall project. Then we moved on to „My project overview,“ where we got a chance to think about how we would apply these new skills in our own organizations. The morning continued with a session on follow-up activities, which was great for helping us plan our next steps. We even had a fun Kahoot quiz on the Erasmus+ and ESC programs, testing our newfound knowledge! In the afternoon, the facilitators made sure everything was in order, a session they called „Ducks in a row.“ We completed our evaluation forms and sorted out our reimbursements. The day, and the training course, culminated in the Youthpass ceremony, where we officially closed the project and celebrated our journey together. It was a perfect way to end an unforgettable experience!
A Transformative Experience
The EDU-Facilitation 3.0 program was truly a transformative experience. Each day was packed with engaging activities, from dynamic team-building exercises and in-depth discussions on NFE principles to hands-on workshop creation and powerful reflection sessions. We are confident that the skills, knowledge, and connections forged during these days will have a lasting impact on youth work across Europe. We can’t wait to see the ripple effect of all the incredible work our participants will do!
