EDU-Facilitation 3.0

From the moment we arrived, we knew this training course would be something special. EDU-Facilitation 3.0 brought together passionate individuals from across Europe, eager to dive into the world of facilitation, non-formal education, and creative learning.

The week started with getting to know each other, setting expectations, and jumping straight into dynamic activities. We explored teamwork through adventurous challenges, tackled PPP (People, Product, Process), and reflected on the differences between formal, non-formal, and informal learning. The Hero’s Journey introduced us to personal growth narratives, and we expressed our creativity in a fun self-portrait exercise.

As the days went on, we sharpened our facilitation skills. We explored Nonviolent Communication, practiced giving and receiving feedback, and cracked codes in a quiz challenge that tested our knowledge of non-formal education. The Kolb learning cycle became our guide for structuring learning experiences, making us think deeply about how people absorb and process information.

The true magic happened when we stepped into the role of facilitators ourselves. Through Facilitation Labs, we designed and led workshops on Human Rights, Media Literacy, and Communication. Each session was followed by constructive feedback, allowing us to refine our approaches and reflect on what worked (and what didn’t). It was a powerful hands-on experience, reinforcing that facilitation is not just about delivering content but about creating engaging and meaningful learning spaces.

Of course, we didn’t forget to have fun along the way. We kept our energy high with energizers, storytelling activities, and even a pizza-making-inspired massage game. Midway through the week, we took a step back for some well-deserved me time, exploring Brno and the surrounding nature, soaking in the snowy landscapes, and reflecting on our personal learning journeys.

Then came Creative Labs Day II, the moment when our creativity exploded! Each national team brought something unique to the table. Spain immersed us in creative writing and storytelling, while the Czech Republic shared coping strategies for well-being. Our Baltic friends, us from Estonia and our new friends from Latvia introduced a self-reflection board game (Let's Find Your Ikigai) and an interactive facilitation workshop on learning styles. Romania and Greece followed with sessions on volunteering and intercultural learning, and Croatia wrapped it all up with a kaleidoscope reflection on observation and awareness.

As the night fell, we gathered around a bonfire, writing down and burning the things we wanted to let go of. It was deep, emotional, and meaningful, reminding us why we are here: not just to grow as facilitators but as individuals. And just when we thought the day was over, we were surprised with a heartwarming speech from Chito, a spontaneous song, and a joyful final dinner celebration.

We packed our bags not just with notes and materials but with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and fresh ideas to bring back to our organizations. Now, it’s time to apply what we’ve learned, experiment, and keep growing as facilitators.🔥

Text and visuals: Aleksandra Galkina

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