Lets get emotional! (alternative FEEL – Facilitating Emotional Exchange and Literacy)

DATES

17-21.3.2026.

23-27.6.2026.

25-29.8.2026.

27-31.10.2026.

VENUE

Stara planina, Vršački breg, Tara, Zlatar – Serbia

The primary aim of this course is to equip youth workers with the essential emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and practical skills needed to foster well-being in both themselves and the young people they support.

Participants will enhance their self-care strategies to ensure sustained personal well-being while strengthening interpersonal skills through effective and assertive communication techniques.

A key objective is developing the knowledge and skills necessary for supporting the emotional management of young people, a crucial but often underrepresented area in current educational practices. The course also seeks to facilitate a supportive network for ongoing collaboration and shared learning among fellow youth workers. Ultimately, by cultivating this emotional literacy, educators will be empowered to significantly impact the social and mental well-being of a particularly vulnerable group.

This comprehensive course offers essential knowledge, understanding, practical tools, and strategies needed to support the emotional development and well-being of youth. It is specifically designed for youth workers, teachers, non-formal education (NFE) trainers, and other professionals who are in direct communication with young people. Participants will explore techniques for effective communication, emotional regulation, and social-emotional learning, while addressing the unique challenges of youth work today. The course fosters a space for vital self-reflection, exploration, and exchange, allowing attendees to prioritize and nurture their own self-care and personal well-being first.

Furthermore, through a series of interactive workshops, engaging group activities, and guided reflection, educators will develop the necessary understanding, knowledge, and skills needed to effectively support the emotional development of youth.

By the end of this program, participants will be equipped to:

• Understand and successfully manage their own emotions
• Communicate effectively and assertively
• Recognize and respond to the emotional needs of young people
• Help young people to express and manage their emotions

CURRICULUM

Module 1: Understanding Ourselves: Self-Awareness and Emotional Literacy

• Defining Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and its core components (Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, Relationship management). Identifying personal emotional triggers and patterns. The role of feelings in daily work. Introduction to self-reflection, journaling techniques and other forms of self-reflection and support.

Module 2: Nurturing the Self: Self-Care and Resilience

• Recognizing signs of stress and burnout specific to youth work. Developing personal well-being plans. Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, and positive self-talk techniques. Setting and maintaining healthy personal and professional boundaries.

Module 3: Connecting with Others: Effective Communication

• Principles of effective and assertive communication. The importance of active listening and interpreting non-verbal cues. Techniques for handling difficult conversations and giving constructive feedback. Building empathy to understand and relate to others’ perspectives.

Module 4: Supporting Youth: Emotional Management and Mental Health

• Recognizing common warning signs of mental health issues in young people. Practical tools and methods for helping youth express and manage their emotions. Exploring the youth worker’s role and boundaries in promoting mental health. Discussing effective ways to talk to young people about stress and challenges, leaning on personal experience of participants.

Module 5: Integration and Action: Collaboration and Future Planning

• Bringing all skills together for relationship management and collaborative problem-solving. Exchanging best practices and shared challenges with peers. Developing a personal action plan for continued professional development and well-being. Formalizing the support network and planning follow-up activities.

CERTIFICATION

At the end of the Erasmus training course, all participants receive official documentation confirming their successful completion of the programme. Each participant is awarded a Certificate of Attendance, issued by the organising institution, which verifies the learning outcomes achieved, the total number of training hours, and the course topics covered.

In addition, participants receive a Europass Mobility Certificate, prepared in accordance with the Erasmus+ quality standards. This document records the skills, competencies, and knowledge gained during the course and is fully recognised across Europe, making it a valuable addition to professional portfolios and CVs.

Together, these certificates provide participants with formal recognition of their professional development, supporting further career advancement, mobility opportunities, and validation of newly acquired competencies within their educational or professional institutions.