14 years ago, ENIL Youth Network was created during a study session at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. And today as well, 30 youth workers representing 30 organisations came together at the European Youth Study Centre in Strasbourg to strengthen the quality of international youth work. Among them, ENIL Youth Network Board Member Fatma Yazici represented our network at this intensive training week held from 4 to 9 February.
The training deepened the understanding of the essentials of international youth activities and study sessions funded by the European Youth Foundation. Participants explored how to design and implement international youth activities using non formal education methods. Through interactive workshops and an educational excursion, they explored formal, informal and non formal education in practice and reflected on their differences and impact.
They also joined parallel workshops focused on sustainability, accessibility, gender equality and intersectionality. Fatma joined the accessibility workshop and had the opportunity to experience a Club House activity previously organised by ENIL member Zara Todd. It is also meaningful to remember where and how ENIL Youth Network itself was created.
Throughout the week, participants worked on intercultural and experiential learning, team dynamics, conflict management, evaluation and feedback methods, and the framework of the Council of Europe. The programme created space to exchange experiences, discuss possible collaborations and strengthen connections between organisations.
Participants also had a free afternoon to visit the European Parliament, explore the beauty of Strasbourg and spend time together. Fatma felt that the training provided a genuinely safe space where no participant was left alone. This atmosphere was deeply appreciated, and she hopes to create similar safe and inclusive spaces in her own work.
Fatma will use the knowledge and skills gained during this training to design and write international youth activities and study sessions in the future. This experience directly contributes to ENIL Youth Network’s strategy of working on intersectionality, non formal education, training and facilitation, while strengthening disabled young people’s leadership and public speaking skills.
