ERASMUS+, Key action 1: training course
Venue: Ommen, Netherlands
Project timeline:
- training course: 27 October—3 November 2024, Ommen, Netherlands
- Organization of local activities (in their school, club, circle of friends, local community, leisure center, etc. Participants will create the activity itself on the project. Participants can organize the activity as an entire Czech team): in the period from November to December.
Czech team: 2 participants
Please read the info-pack.
Hosting organisation: Olde Vechte Foundation
Participating countries: Netherlands, Latvia, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Iceland
Project report:
The Something Fresh project brought together 40 participants, all eager to improve their self-awareness and develop the skills needed to become better facilitators. Over the course of seven days, we explored different ways to understand ourselves and learn how to guide and support others effectively. Each participant had their own learning goals, and the focus was on personal growth, both as individuals and as facilitators.
The main goal of Something Fresh was simple: to learn and grow. Each participant had a unique goal based on their personal needs and challenges. For me, it was about overcoming my perfectionism and overachievement tendencies. I realized that my focus on being perfect was holding me back in my role as a facilitator. Even small mistakes made me feel like I had failed, which added unnecessary pressure and made me less flexible. I wanted to change that mindset and allow myself to make mistakes without feeling like I had failed.
Other participants had similar goals aimed at improving key facilitation skills. Some wanted to learn how to deal with resistance in groups, while others focused on becoming more assertive (amongst others). These goals were all geared toward developing the abilities needed to lead effective, engaging facilitation sessions.
The seven-day program was organized around key themes, such as connecting with ourselves, understanding the link between our body, mind, and emotions, and building better connections with others. These ideas helped us reflect on how self-awareness plays a big role in facilitation. We learned how to stay grounded during tough moments and how to remain calm and focused when guiding groups with different opinions and backgrounds.
The practical side of the training focused on important facilitation skills. We explored questions like:
- How can a facilitator help a group reach their goals?
- What should a facilitator do—and avoid—during a session?
- What questions can we ask to get people talking and thinking?
- How important is context, and how do we adapt to it?
We also learned about the different stages of facilitation, from setting the right tone at the start to keeping energy levels high and making sure everyone gets something meaningful by the end. Each day, we met in small groups to reflect on what we had learned, discuss how to apply it in our lives or work, and think about how we could improve.
One of the key parts of the program was the opportunity for each participant to facilitate two sessions for their peers. These sessions allowed us to try out what we had learned and practice facilitation based on our own interests and hobbies. This hands-on experience helped us see what worked well, where we could improve, and gave us valuable feedback from our peers. It was a great way to apply theory to practice and gain confidence in our facilitation skills.
Although the program was intense, it also offered plenty of time to build relationships and relax. Each night, we came together for dinner, which gave us a chance to share ideas, talk about the day’s challenges, and get to know each other better. These informal gatherings were just as important as the formal sessions, as they allowed us to build strong connections with one another in a relaxed setting.
Looking back, I can say that the Czech team and I were lucky to be part of such a supportive, open-minded, and proactive group. The positive atmosphere and shared willingness to learn made it a safe and productive environment for everyone.
Personally, this project has had a big impact on me. It helped me shift my mindset from perfectionism to a more balanced approach, making me more flexible and open to learning from mistakes. This change will shape not only how I facilitate in the future but also how I approach life in general.
In conclusion, Something Fresh was much more than just a training program—it was a meaningful journey of self-discovery and personal growth. I am grateful for the experience, the skills I gained, and the connections I made. The project has inspired me to continue growing, both as a facilitator and as a person.
Vojtěch K.
Report from local activities:
Winter Adventure
From 29 November to 1 December 2024, a unique outdoor activity took place in the vicinity of Staré Město – a winter journey connected with camping in the snow. This was a local activity that followed the Something Fresh training course and was designed for young people who are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. The aim was to show that even sleeping in the snow is possible and can be a great experience, as well as to give participants a hands-on experience of cooking on a portable cooker.
On the first day, the participants met at the Cultural house in Staré Město, where several activities were held to start the day. Ice breaker games helped to create a friendly atmosphere and get everyone involved in the group. Then followed two workshops. The first focused on the ideal equipment for the winter mountains and the second on cooking on a portable cooker. These workshops provided useful information to the participants and prepared them for the upcoming expedition.
The next morning, the group set off on a journey through the snowy landscape towards Kralický Sněžník. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining and everyone was enjoying the beauty of the winter nature. Before dark we set up our tents, prepared a cooker dinner and ended the evening by sharing our first impressions.
The third day started with an early wake-up call so that the group could reach the top of Kralický Sněžník in time for sunrise. This moment was unforgettable. The breathtaking views of the awakening landscape were a reward for all the effort. After returning to our tents, we prepared a hearty breakfast, packed our gear and headed back to Staré Město. The activity ended at the Cultural house where a reflection of the whole expedition took place. Sharing experiences and a touching farewell were a beautiful end to this special weekend.
Winter hike and camping in the snow brought not only new skills to the participants, but also many memorable moments and opportunities for self-development. It showed that even the challenges associated with winter nature can be rewarding and inspiring. We look forward to more meetings like this!
This activity has been organized within the Erasmus+ project Something fresh 2023-3-NL02-KA153-YOU-000179051 as part of the Systemic Outreach & Development activities (SODA). It has been co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and supported by the Olde Vechte Foundation.
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