Between 1 and 5 April 2025, the Timiș County Youth Foundation (FITT) hosted the Erasmus+ training course “Facilitate the Future: Engaging, Visual & Impactful,” bringing together 24 youth workers, educators, and trainers from across Europe who wanted to refine their facilitation skills and explore creative, youth-friendly methods for engaging learning experiences. The activity took place at the Youth House in Timișoara, a Council of Europe Quality Labelled Youth Centre.
Designed as an advanced training for those working in youth education and empowerment, the programme introduced participants to modern facilitation techniques that combine visual thinking, storytelling, and neuroscience-based approaches to learning. The course focused on enhancing both the creative and structural dimensions of facilitation, helping participants turn complex ideas into accessible and memorable experiences for young audiences.
Across five days, the group explored a diverse set of themes — from understanding learning styles and group dynamics to developing graphic facilitation skills and experimenting with animation and symbolic frameworks. Through practical workshops, they learned how to design clear, engaging flipcharts, build narratives that connect emotionally with participants, and use non-verbal communication effectively. Each session encouraged experimentation and reflection, allowing participants to test new approaches in a supportive learning environment.
One of the key components of the training was the “Facilitation Challenge,” during which participants worked in teams to design and lead short educational activities. This exercise put theory into practice, while also strengthening peer feedback, creativity, and adaptability — essential competences for any facilitator. Evening reflections provided space to process daily experiences and connect them with real-life facilitation contexts.
The programme also touched on neuroscience and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), exploring how the brain learns and how facilitators can adapt their delivery to meet different learning needs. Participants gained tools for managing group energy, improving focus, and fostering emotional safety within learning spaces. These insights were complemented by outdoor sessions such as the “Walk & Talk” activities in Timișoara, where participants reflected on stories of change and connection in the local community.
By the end of the training, participants not only strengthened their facilitation skills but also gained a renewed sense of purpose in creating inclusive, dynamic, and participatory learning environments. Facilitate the Future equipped them with a toolbox of creative strategies and a mindset focused on continuous growth — both as educators and as lifelong learners.
As part of the training, a series of helpful facilitation ideas and visual materials were created, providing practical tools and inspiration for youth workers and trainers who wish to make their educational sessions more engaging, structured, and impactful. These resources will remain available for future activities and peer learning initiatives within FITT’s network.
Helpful facilitation materials
Project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.