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Transformative Mindset for Sustainable Development

- a professional development training for youth workers & youth leaders -

- in Vienna, Austria from 9 to 16 November 2024 -

GENESIS OF THE TRAINING:
In a world grappling with multifaceted conflicts like climate change, poverty, and inequality, the concept of sustainable development (SD) has become paramount. However, SD has been hindered by the adverse outcomes of rising conflicts which emerge as natural phenomena across various levels—interpersonal, within communities, or between cultural groups. Such adverse outcomes have environmental, social, economic, and global dimensions on SD. They include damaged relationships, heightened violence, and deepened exclusion which leads to acts that affect sustainability such as overfishing, unequal distribution of resources, and causing harm to ecosystems such as biodiversity. This reality is exacerbated by global dynamics, including cultural diversifications and the aftereffects of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, which have intensified stress, tensions, and social injustices. A striking manifestation of such social dilemmas is the increased risk of deprivation and social exclusion among Europe's youth, with up to 45% in some regions facing barriers to personal fulfilment and active societal participation. This scenario underlines the critical need for effective conflict transformation strategies to mitigate the impacts on vulnerable populations, particularly the youth, and foster sustainable development. To achieve lasting progress, it is imperative to engage communities in shaping and executing initiatives that drive sustainable development. To do so, we need community-driven initiatives and these are best realised through the Conflict Transformation Approach because it informs strategic programming of initiatives that can foster comprehensive sustainable development. Hence, our training for 30 participants from Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and France with the support of ERASMUS+ of the European Union, aims to provide youth workers with the Conflict Transformation Approach and its elements such as conflict analysis, planning of initiatives, dialogue, design thinking, and negotiation for resolutions.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

The core activity of this initiative is a specialized training course designed for 30 participants, aimed at fostering a transformative learning environment where they can explore the essentials of sustainable development. This includes understanding foundational concepts of conflict transformation and sustainability, with a particular focus on equipping youth workers with actionable strategies that address local challenges and promote sustainable practices. This journey takes place within an intercultural setting that encourages shared learning and perspective-building.

 

Participants will engage with key theories, tools, and methodologies, including design thinking and conflict analysis, to develop practical initiatives that address sustainable development in youth work. Through hands-on, small-group collaborations, they will devise strategies and activities that bring these concepts to life, ultimately creating resources that inspire sustainable actions within their communities.

 

The course culminates in an opportunity for participants to present their initiatives, allowing for constructive feedback and practical evaluation. This process fosters a collective reflection on sustainable development in youth work and paves the way for actionable follow-up plans, tailored for local implementation, to deepen community impact and inspire future sustainability initiatives.

THE PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS:
- with the need to develop specific competences especially 1. Facilitating learning, 2. Designing programmes, and 3. Being civically engaged; 4. Citizenship Competence and 5. Personal, social and learning to learn competence;
- between 20 and 35 years old (ideally);
- working with young people on the local level or willing to engage with them;
- able to enhance the civic participation of your peers and youth;
- keen on designing and implementing game-based projects in their communities;
- have the need to improve your capacities of games as educational tool;
- willing to act as multipliers and implement local, regional, or international activities;
- have some basic interpersonal skills that enable you to learn and benefit others;
- motivated to cooperate with other participants to leverage the overall impact;
- demonstrate commitment to the European values and principles and respect for diversity.
- commit to full participation during the whole activity and sessions.
- you can communicate in English (B1+ level is enough).

WHAT ARE THE COSTS:
- The training is "fully" funded!
- It is financed by the European Commission as part of the Erasmus+.
- The hostel, training, materials, meals, and transport are covered to the determined limits.
- Participants are required to book their own transport (flights, busses, trains) to and from Vienna and we will refund the eligible costs to you after your successful participation.
- Only selected persons can book their tickets, after our advice!
- The refund of travel costs is after the implementation of the local follow-up initiative.

PARTICIPATION RULES AND CONDITIONS:
- You should attend the entire activity from 9 to 11 NOV 2024 (including travel).
- You should engage in all preparation and follow-up activities.
- You should fill out the form before 5 NOV 2024 (Extended deadline).
- You should sign the participation agreement once selected, within a period of three days.
- You should purchase your travel tickets within five days of signing the agreement.

- Selected participants have to buy the tickets until 7 NOV 2024.

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TIMEFRAME:
Preparation:
From 01. 10. 2024 to 8. 11 2024 (in various stages)

Participation:
9. Nov to 16 Nov (in Vienna, Austria)

Follow-up:
Nov-Dec 2024(local implementation of follow-up initiatives)

 

OTHER IMPORTANT REMARKS:
- Applications will be reviewed and accepted based on motivation and eligibility.
- More details such as preparatory tasks will be shared after selection via email.
- You will receive a YouthPass certificate on the last day of the training.

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