From October 19th to 26th, 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in V.I.P. training course for youth workers under the Erasmus+ programme, organised by Društvo Center za pomoc mladim in the lovely town of Brežice, Slovenia.
I was lucky to be sent by Vitatiim, and I’m very thankful to them for making this journey possible, as attending a professional training on graphic facilitation has been a dream of mine for years!!
Graphic facilitation is something I’ve always been passionate about, and on many projects, I naturally take on the role of creating visuals. While I felt confident in my existing skills, this training opened up new techniques for me.
Our trainers, Urška and Špela, were fantastic. Their enthusiasm and encouragement created a relaxed, supportive environment where making mistakes was seen as a valuable part of learning. They designed the program based on what they themselves would have found helpful early in their careers - a thoughtful approach that made the training feel truly relevant and practical.
What is graphic facilitation? Graphic facilitation is a visual thinking and communication technique that involves using images, drawings, and other visual elements to help individuals and groups understand, communicate, and solve problems more effectively. One of the highlights was receiving our own Neuland markers, which we immediately put to use during countless hands-on practice sessions.
A key part of the training was building a "visual vocabulary" - a collection of simple, versatile drawings for common themes like house, nature, and basic shapes. This exercise was a revelation for me, as I realized that simplicity often creates the most powerful visuals.
My personal goal for the training was to learn how to simplify ideas and make the most of my time, energy, and resources. By the end of the course, I felt more confident in my ability to achieve this, and I’ve already started applying what I learned in my work.
This training was also my first time visiting Slovenia, and it did not disappoint. The group of participants was another highlight. It was an inspiring mix of people from different backgrounds, and I left with new friends and potential partners.
The impact of this training has been immediate. Just a month after returning, I graphically facilitated a partnership-building activity in Spain. The visuals I created were directly influenced by the techniques I learned in Slovenia, and it felt so good!
I’m now dreaming of hosting a similar project in my own community. I’m really grateful to Društvo Center za pomoc mladim, Vitatiim, Urška, Špela, Hana, and everyone else who contributed to this experience. If you’re considering participating in something like this, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while making meaningful connections along the way.
Text: Aleksandra Galkina
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