Deeds and Words – Empower Your Organization
Do you enjoy meeting people from other countries? Are you interested in any of the burning topics such as: sustainable life, communication, intercultural understanding, gender equality, teamwork, youth empowerment, socio – economic issues? Erasmus+ trainings are designed to employ youth and NGO workers with knowledge and expertise of the diverse matters and tools to manage and tackle current obstacles. All coated in non-formal learning techniques and friendly multi-cultural exchange vibe.
That’s what makes Erasmus trainings and exchanges special! If you stand a chance of joining such seminar, hesitate no more! Here’s why.
What is it about?
Trainings are usually for youth between 18-25/30. Some are targeted at the youngsters, whereas others at people directly committed to non-governmental organizations active in diverse spheres locally. They can happen in various countries around Europe but also North Africa, Turkey and Caucasian countries. One of the biggest benefits of the Erasmus funded trainings is the fact they cover part or all of the costs of participation. Accommodation and food are covered, sometimes even the cost of the cheapest form of travel. For individuals with financial obstacles that might be the only possibility to participate in a meaningful and educative meeting of this kind. Participants can receive a call if they work for an organization or find it in Erasmus projects related communication channels.
The responsible parties send out info packs and once registered and accepted info sheets and details of the event’s agenda and logistics’.
Deeds and Words – empower your organization!
Let me tell you more about my personal experience in Winterthur, Switzerland on behalf of Service Civil International. Before I set off I didn’t know how this trip will elevate. My training official name was Deeds&Words – empower your organization! and it was dedicated for soon-to-become Placement Officers for SCI branches, partners and contacts. All of the participants have been representing their organizations that manage workcamps and study camps back in their countries. The members were either volunteers or full-time employees. We have all arrived to a quaint, lovely town of Winterthur on February 6th and shared the training experience for 6 days. First and last day were dedicated to arrivals and some administrative and introductory activities. In the infopack we have received a broad information on training objectives and agenda, practical details about Switzerland and its transportation, tips on how to reach the location, what to expect from training and what to bring. The logistics team was extremely helpful and responsive at any point of the training. Starting off with the preparations and while in Switzerland and after the training. The participants represented 22 countries such as: Serbia, Germany, Iceland, Russia, Albania, Macedonia, Ukraine, Norway, Croatia, Slovenia, Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova, Armenia, Belarus. However, sometimes nationalities of the agents did not quite correspond with the country they were representing and so I, as a Pole portrayed my organization from Iceland.
Placement Officer training
The training consisted of the following scheme: ice breakers and integrating games, introduction to SCI and its mission, preparing to workcamp season, PO’s responsibilities, intercultural communication and understanding, rules and regulations of SCI, practical sessions on SCI operating system. We have kicked off with a city game, which featured local cultural aspect and team work with loads of fun along the way. We have been engaged in performing scenes, group discussions and presentations. The highlight of the training for me personally was the international dinner, where everyone gathered to share the food and beverages of each other’s country. We have learnt how to dance to a Portuguese party music and tried desserts from Belarus or Morocco accompanied by Armenian cognac-style brandy. The blend of tastes, languages and vibrancy of the place are uncannily hard to render. Last days utilized intensive non-formal learning experience packed with useful tips and tools on PO work. In the little free time we had, we were exploring surrounding forest and town of Winterthur. Some of us had a chance to see more of Switzerland.
I will always remember my solo journey, getting lost in Frankfurt airport, roaming around Zurich and returning to Iceland accompanied by an unforgettable aura of this international meeting. I met wonderful people I now call my friends with whom we still stay in touch months after training. Apart from a great expertise into PO work I also had a chance to be an ambassador of my host country and my homeland, travel and see the world of NGO’s running camps for youth. This will be one of the few meaningful experiences that affected my perception and attitude of diversity and world’s issues.
Useful links for further information:
Read more about POT training in Winterthur:
Information on trainings:
Youth exchanges:
