Training Course 'Team for Youth' 25 November - 02 December 2025, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Learning inclusion through real connection

During the “Team for Youth” training course, we spent several days learning, sharing, and growing together through different activities connected to inclusion, teamwork, and youth work. From the very beginning, the atmosphere in the group felt open and relaxed, which made it easy for everyone to participate, share opinions, and connect with each other naturally.

Most of the programme was based on practical work instead of long presentations or lectures. We took part in teambuilding activities, simulations, role plays, outdoor challenges, group reflections, and discussions that helped us better understand the importance of creating inclusive spaces for young people with fewer opportunities. Through these activities, we could see how even simple methods can help build trust, communication, and stronger connections inside a group.

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was hearing different stories from youth workers coming from different countries and backgrounds. We spoke about challenges young people face today - exclusion, discrimination, lack of opportunities, low self-confidence, social pressure, and difficulties in accessing education or activities. Even though we all come from different realities, many of the problems we work with are very similar.

Outside of the workshops, we also spent a lot of time together informally - during meals, intercultural evenings, walks, and late-night conversations. These moments helped us get to know each other better and created a very supportive group atmosphere. It never felt overly formal or distant. Instead, the project felt very human, honest, and full of genuine interaction.

The training also reminded us that inclusion is often connected to small everyday things - making someone feel welcome, giving space to quieter people, adapting activities, listening without judgement, and creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable to participate. Sometimes these small actions can make a bigger difference than we realise.

Besides learning new methods and activities that we can use in our future work, we also left the project with new motivation, inspiration, and meaningful connections with people from across Europe. The experience showed us once again how important youth work can be when it is based on empathy, teamwork, and real human connection.