Implementation
Day 1 - Thursday, February 19
Written by the training team! 🇪🇺
The first day of the project, which means tons of icebreaking and teambuilding activities.
The day began with a simple activity called "Name Hangman"
For this, participants were given tape and were asked to make underscores for the number of letters in their names, e.g., _ _ _ _ _ _ for Bobbie. Being allowed to only give their letter once, as well as receive one from another person, participants mingled around and ultimately "collected" their own names.
This was followed by the secret friend portrait drawing game, where participants drew an oval, as well as wrote their name on a piece of envelope. Being passed around to the tune of music, every time the music stopped, we filled in a different part of the body, such as one eye, an ear or the mouth. A lot of humorous portraits came out of this activity.
This activity was followed by one called "the sun shines on", where one participant comes in a circle, and says the term "the sun shines on" followed by something that defines them. Those who agree with the term join the circle. The last person who leaves gets to choose the new statement.
We also played Human bingo, an energizer based on learning even more fun facts about each other. Each participant received a small paper with 16 different specific facts, such as "has been outside of Europe" or "speaks 3 languages or more". With the simple rule of not being able to add yourself, or anybody from your own national team, the first person who shouts out "BINGO" with all the correct answers wins!
After coffee break, we went deep into aspects of the project by introducing the rules of the project we kept throughout the entire training course, but just as importantly, the "backpacks we brought with us".
Focusing on 3 distinct categories, the contributions, expectations and fears, participants drew a backpack with 3 compartments, and words, phrases and sentences filled in these slots.
After lunch break, it was time to get into the deep end, with understanding the Youth Worker Competencies, which are -
Facilitating Learning
Supporting Learning
Designing Programs
Managing Resources
Communicating
Working with Groups
Networking
Displaying Intercultural Sensitivity
Developing Self / Reflective Practice
Each section had different scenarios that youth workers (or otherwise) may face; a newly developed activity was used where participants went in groups to solve cases and received stamps based on each competency.
With one more speed dating activity in a circle, focused on questions based on identity, participants then took part in an activity called the "Identity flower".
For this activity, participants drew on a paper a flower with 8 petals, with 8 terms that they believe make up their identity.
Then the hard part. Participants are asked to remove 2 of these terms
Then, once more, another person is tasked to remove 3 more.
This activity helps participants reflect on how layered and personal identity is, and how difficult it can be to "lose" parts of it. It builds empathy by showing how it feels when aspects of our identity are taken away by others, encouraging a deeper understanding of exclusion and belonging.
Afterwards, we stood in a circle, and each shared an object we had brought with us — something meaningful, personal, or symbolic. These small items became powerful storytelling tools, allowing us to open up about our lives, backgrounds, and values. Through the stories behind each object, we discovered connections we didn't expect, finding common experiences and learning about the diversity in the group. This was based on our homework activity, to bring said item all the way to Vienna.
Day 2 - Friday February 20
Written by the Moldovan team 🇲🇩!
The day began with an energizer focused on learning names. The participants were divided into two teams, and the facilitators held up a blanket so that the teams could not see each other. At the facilitators' signal, one representative from each team had to step close to their side of the blanket. When the facilitators dropped it, each participant had to say the other person's name as quickly as possible. Whoever said the name first won a point, and the participant who lost moved to the other team. The purpose of this activity was to help us remember each other's names better.
Intro to Elements - Grounding activities
The activity began with the distribution of mats for each participant. The facilitator, Erma, gave a presentation about the five elements of nature: earth, water, metal, wood, and fire. In fact, the entire training course would be focused on these elements, with activities, 5 of the days at least, focusing on an element.
After that, we practised grounding exercises through movement. The movements included shifting weight from one foot to the other, yoga positions, body awareness, and gently swinging the arms.
We also talked about mindfulness, what it is and how it helps us in our busy lives.
We also practised diaphragmatic breathing exercises, which help calm the nervous system. The exercises consisted of inhaling for 4 seconds and exhaling for 4 seconds, with our hands placed on the stomach and chest to feel our breathing pattern. Another exercise was the "box breathing" technique, which involved inhaling for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 4 seconds, exhaling for 4 seconds, and holding the breath again for 4 seconds, then repeating the cycle.
Another exercise consisted of a deep inhalation for 8 seconds, holding the breath as long as possible, and then slowly exhaling. This activity helped us become more aware of our own bodies and learn calming and concentration exercises.
With yet another activity on the earth element (but actually combined with the water one!) This activity took place in the park. The task, however, began even walking there, as it was to walk mindfully and without communicating with one another. The facilitators also encouraged us to activate our inner child and enjoy what we saw around us.
After we reached the destination, we interacted with the elements of nature, especially water in the form of snow. We were divided into two teams and had to create a snowman. Here, we worked as a team and strengthened our group cohesion. Of course, we also had a snowball fight and threw snowballs at each other. After the teams finished building the snowmen, we were asked how we felt during the process and what emotions we experienced. Everyone enjoyed the magic of winter and fully lived those moments.
Through this activity, we interacted with nature and developed our teamwork and creativity.
Tree of Life (with Clay!)
Taking place in the afternoon in this activity we continued working with the element of earth. Each participant received a piece of clay and was instructed to touch and feel it with their hands. The task was not to think about anything specific, but to let ourselves be guided by the flow and by our own hands.
After that, we were asked to create a "tree" in the way we personally perceive it. The process was creative, and each participant entered the flow of their own inspiration.
Then, we formed teams of two, where we had to explain what the tree represented and what it symbolized for us. In the end, all the works were displayed in one place, and those who wished had the opportunity to present and talk about their creation to the others.
Mindful eating
The final activity of the day!
In this activity, we discussed mindfulness in eating. The participants were served a plate with sliced fruits and sweets. Each person had to choose something they liked the most and something they liked less.
After that, the facilitator guided us to close our eyes and feel the shape and texture of the food. Then, we were instructed to take a bite of the food we liked and consciously notice its taste. We took another bite, and then another one, until we finished it. We repeated the same process with the food we liked less.
At the end of the exercise, the participants were asked how they felt and whether the experience was different from the way they usually eat. The idea of this exercise was to become aware while eating in order to fully enjoy the experience. Often, we tend to do several things at the same time while eating and we do not really pay attention to what we are consuming.
At the end of the activity, the participants were asked to spend 20 minutes without interacting with each other, simply being with themselves. Some chose to draw, move, or create something, while others simply closed their eyes and stayed present with themselves.
Intercultural Evening!
At the end of the day, we had a cultural evening where four countries presented:
Moldova, Georgia, Cyprus, and Lithuania.
Each national team used different methods of presentation. For example, Moldova had a presentation, a song, and a dance at the end. Georgia prepared a Kahoot game, a presentation video, and a dance. Cyprus organised a Kahoot game and a dance, while Lithuania presented a Kahoot game. In the end, each country set up a table with snacks, drinks, and flags, where participants were served.