From 9 to 14 May 2022, 30 youth leaders, youth workers, facilitators, members of youth organisations from across the continent, attended a training course on the essentials of non-formal education, organised by the Education and Training Division of the Youth Department and the European Youth Foundation. Participants were mostly involved in organisations with projects or activities happening in 2022.

The training course focused on developing a common understand and practical implications of the principles and approaches of intercultural non-formal education activities, particularly in the context of the Council of Europe’s Youth Department and EYF-supported projects.

The content and methodology of the course were designed to make participants reflect on, and experience, non-formal education. It built on experiential learning, individual reflection, and exchange of practices among participants by using the participatory methods of learning, such as working groups and facilitated discussions. The programme included elements of sharing experiences and best practices of organising non-formal activities in the context of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe and outside, to support peer-learning between participants.

Participants attending came both from local and international youth organisations. From the training course evaluation, participants appreciated the activity in all its aspects, both for the impact on their own learning and development as facilitators of non-formal education and for the impact on their organisation’s know-how and strategic development.