ERASMUS+, Key action 1: training course
Dates: 9—17 November 2025
Venue: Hanenbos (near Brussels), Belgium
Czech team: 2 participants – youth workers
Please read the info-pack. .
Hosting organisation: Joetz International
Participating countries: France, Romania, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic
Project report:
I couldn’t wish for a better enrichment of the gloomy autumn days than a training course in Belgium organized by an NGO called JOETZ and provided to Czechs by EYCB. As the main topic was devoted to emotions, I assumed that it could be pretty interesting and useful. And what was the reality? Well, I simply experienced a proper emotional cocktail of all different flavours!
The whole TC took place in an ambient countryside located on the outskirts of Brussels in a training center called Hanenbos – a large modern and stylish but sustainable building surrounded by a forest park which makes you feel like a fairytale character. Thanks to this peaceful settings we were always able to sooth our minds after the sessions, which were sometimes really emotionally intense and challenging. However, the instructors created a truly safe space for us using a highly professional but still human approach, which was a perfect base for our international, respectful and empathetic community.
All the sessions were really interactive and offered a wide range of activities that were both theoretically as well as practically oriented. For example, we created our own emotional monsters, learned about and tested our emotional intelligence, tried an ecstatic and mirror dance, did yoga and meditation, journal in the nature, improvized in a singing circle, discussed different topics while walking in a forest and shared our feelings and emotions in many different ways.
Although it may seem that it was all pretty serious, we had a lot of fun at the same time and enjoyed many cheerful moments together with people from France, Belgium, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. We even visited Brussels for one day where we had the chance to get to know the hosting organization better and then explore the city centre and EU parliament area, eat some waffles, fries and taste the Belgian beer.
I’m very grateful for this unique experience which made me step out of my comfort zone after some time again and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to broaden their horizons and escape from the daily stereotype and social bubble. I promise it’s worth it!
Simona V.
