From July 22nd to 26th, 2024, we hosted an unforgettable Level 2: Participation Wizards training program in the breathtaking coastal town of Ericeira, Portugal. This advanced, five-day program, designed to build upon the strong foundation established during our Level 1 training, equipped 30 young participants with the strategic skills and in-depth knowledge they needed to become truly effective advocates for change within their communities and to meaningfully engage with decision-makers at both the local and European levels. The program, generously hosted by the environmentally engaged SWOT Surf Hostel, offered an exceptional setting that fostered collaboration and a genuine sense of community. This wasn’t just a training; it was a transformative journey, blending intensive learning with unforgettable experiences that fostered personal growth, developed essential skills, and inspired a deep commitment to creating positive and sustainable change.
A Detailed Exploration of the Dynamic and Engaging Training Schedule:
Day 1: Delving into the Nuances of Advanced Civic Engagement and EU Participation: This opening day carefully set the stage for the intensive training by exploring the complex and multifaceted aspects of active citizenship within the contemporary EU context. Participants gained a nuanced and comprehensive overview of the structures and functions of various EU institutions, their significant roles in youth engagement, and the diverse avenues available for youth to meaningfully participate in and influence the political and decision-making processes at the European level. This theoretical framework was expertly presented and provided the necessary context for the more practical aspects of the training. The day culminated with a dedicated workshop focusing on “E-democracy and E-participation,” where participants explored the transformative potential of digital tools in facilitating civic engagement, and brainstormed creative ways to utilize these technologies to affect positive change within their communities. This innovative session provided a crucial bridge between theoretical understanding and practical application, preparing the participants for the more advanced training in subsequent days.
Day 2: Mastering the Art of Advocacy and Engaging with Community Stakeholders: The focus of the second day seamlessly transitioned to developing the critical skills needed to build effective advocacy campaigns and engage meaningfully with community stakeholders. Participants engaged in an intensive workshop focused on “Building Effective Advocacy Campaigns,” where they learned advanced techniques for planning and implementing impactful initiatives at both the local and EU levels. This included in-depth instruction on creating compelling messages and engaging their target audiences using various tools and strategies. This theoretical input was immediately followed by a highly engaging interactive session entitled, “Engaging with Decision Makers,” which provided practical strategies for lobbying and effectively presenting compelling proposals. Participants had the opportunity to practice these valuable skills through a dynamic and simulated mock parliamentary debate, where they engaged in a realistic role-play scenario, practicing their newly acquired advocacy skills and testing their ability to effectively present their ideas while managing challenges and feedback. This interactive and high-engagement activity provided invaluable opportunities for immediate feedback and refinement, enabling participants to develop personalized advocacy strategies tailored to their unique communication styles and addressing diverse perspectives.
Day 3: Empowering Communities through Actionable Planning: Having acquired the essential skills for effective advocacy, this day seamlessly shifted towards the practical application of this knowledge in planning and developing tangible community initiatives. Participants were guided through a comprehensive workshop centered on “From Ideas to Action,” where they learned how to transform creative concepts and innovative ideas into well-structured and actionable plans. A dynamic interactive session on “Identifying Resources and Partners” followed, providing participants with valuable information about mobilizing the necessary support for their initiatives. This included guidance on identifying and accessing available resources and building productive partnerships with key stakeholders within their communities. The afternoon session was dedicated to a challenging yet highly rewarding group project entitled, “Drafting Initiative Proposals,” where participants collaborated to create detailed and well-developed proposals for community projects that thoughtfully integrated both local and EU-level engagement elements, highlighting their increased capacity to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders and develop sustainable initiatives that could have a long-lasting impact.
Day 4: Team Building and Collaboration through Surfing in Ericeira: This unique day, hosted at the environmentally conscious SWOT Surf Hostel, incorporated engaging team-building activities centered around surfing lessons in the stunning coastal setting of Ericeira. This innovative approach focused on enhancing teamwork, improving communication skills, and building trust and supportive relationships among participants through a fun, shared experience. The surfing lessons, expertly led by certified instructors, were tailored to meet the varying skill levels of the participants, ensuring that every individual felt comfortable, included, and empowered to participate. The activities were deliberately structured to promote collaboration, communication, and trust-building amongst the participants. By working together on the inherent challenges of learning to surf and participating in water-based games, participants were able to break down social barriers, develop meaningful relationships, and foster a stronger sense of camaraderie and mutual support.
Day 5: Action Plans, Evaluations, and a Celebration of Success: The final day of the training was a culmination of the learning journey, bringing everything together to solidify participants’ understanding, ensure their initiatives were thoroughly developed and ready for launch, and celebrate their impressive accomplishments. The morning began with a workshop focused on “Sustaining Impact and Future Engagement,” where participants explored strategies for maintaining the momentum of their initiatives, and identifying and developing productive partnerships that could help to ensure their continued impact on the community. This was followed by final presentations, providing an invaluable opportunity for groups to showcase their meticulously developed and refined project proposals to the group as a whole. The sessions encouraged open dialogue, provided opportunities for receiving and integrating constructive feedback, and enabled participants to further refine their proposals and action plans. This intensive day culminated in a truly celebratory closing session that recognized the participants’ exceptional achievements, acknowledged their unwavering commitment to community betterment, and celebrated their transformation into confident and effective leaders within their communities. This session served as a meaningful conclusion to their intensive learning journey and provided a platform for participants to reflect on their progress and anticipate the impact their initiatives would have on their communities.
More Than a Training—A Catalyst for Transformative Change:
The Level 2: Participation Wizards training in Ericeira was far more than just a course; it was a powerful catalyst for transformative change, igniting a passion for civic participation, building vital skills, and empowering young people to become effective and confident agents of change within their communities and beyond. Participants developed not only the critical skills and in-depth knowledge needed to succeed but also a strong sense of community, confidence in their leadership abilities, and a deep commitment to working collaboratively towards achieving positive change in their communities. The well-developed proposals for community projects clearly demonstrate their readiness to initiate impactful initiatives and advocate for meaningful improvements. We are incredibly proud of their remarkable achievements and eagerly await further updates on their inspiring progress and the positive changes they will undoubtedly effect.
