Building Sustainable Future: A Journey Through the Greendays Training in Italy
From 25.09 to 03.10.2024 Debora Shofelinova and Yana Dimitrova, representing the Bulgarian Youth Forum, had the privilege of participating in the Erasmus+ training course, Greendays, in Castelletto di Cuggiono, Italy. Organised in partnership with Young Effect, the project brought together youth workers and leaders from various countries to address the pressing challenges faced by young people in rural and suburban areas.
About the Greendays Project
The Greendays training course was designed to equip youth workers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to work effectively with young people who face social exclusion, poverty, and unemployment. By creating an environment of collaboration and exchange, the course provided participants with the tools needed to inspire and empower young people to take on challenges and launch new initiatives. The trainers of the project were the experienced Kaloyan Tsvetkov (Bulgarian Youth Forum) and Victoria Ramirez (Young Effect).
A Focus on Sustainable Action
One of the key takeaways from the training was the emphasis on transforming reflection into concrete action. Youth workers were encouraged to not only understand the challenges young people face but to actively develop ideas that can be implemented in a sustainable and functional way. This approach fosters a spirit of initiative, encouraging youth to play a more active role in shaping their communities.
Participants explored innovative methods to re-evaluate their ideas and translate them into meaningful projects that can be adapted to the needs of their local environments. The goal was to create a ripple effect, where empowered youth workers return home and continue to inspire the young people they work with.
A Meaningful Experience for the Bulgarian group
For Debora Shofelinova and Yana Dimitrova, the experience was transformative. The skills and strategies gained during the course will be invaluable in their work within the Bulgarian Youth Forum. By applying these new insights, they are eager to contribute to social change, helping young people in Bulgaria’s rural and suburban areas overcome social and economic challenges.
This collaboration between Young Effect and the Bulgarian Youth Forum marks a significant step towards creating sustainable opportunities for youth across Europe.