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Mind Matters 2.0 - Mind the Nature

2025-3-NL02-KA153-YOU-0003686032025Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: NL|EL|PT|ES|DE|RO|HR|BG|PL|SE|IT · Grant: €47,624
Physical and mental health, well-beingInitial and continuous training for teachers, trainers and other education staffInternational relations and development cooperation

Objectives

We want to strengthen the quality and sustainability of youth work by equipping youth workers and educators with practical, nature‑based well‑being and resilience tools they can use with young people and within their organisations. The 7‑day training in the Azores focuses on real‑life application, not theory. Our objectives are to: Reduce stress and burnout risk in youth work. Build a clear understanding of stressors specific to youth work and practice evidence‑informed self‑care (mindfulness, breathwork, grounding, movement) in nature so professionals can stay present, safe and effective with young people. Upgrade day‑to‑day practice with young people. Train participants to facilitate simple outdoor and nature‑connected activities (reflection walks, sensory awareness, team challenges) and to embed regular check‑ins, debriefs and reflective circles that improve group climate and learning.Strengthen core professional competences. Improve boundary‑setting, non‑violent communication, active listening, inclusion and conflict de‑escalation so youth workers can hold safer spaces and model healthy behaviours. Translate learning into action at home. Each participant leaves with a personal and organisational action plan (e.g., weekly outdoor check‑in, short well‑being routine before sessions). Each sending organisation supports at least one internal share‑back to colleagues to multiply results. Foster a peer network across countries. Create an intercultural community of practice that exchanges methods and offers mutual support after the course through light online follow‑ups. Promote inclusion in professional development. Reserve places and provide tailored support for youth workers facing fewer opportunities (economic, geographic, cultural or health‑related barriers) and adapt methods/materials for accessibility. Recognise and validate learning. Use Youthpass and daily reflection to document concrete competence gains linked to the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers and the Key Competences for Lifelong Learning. Model environmental responsibility. Run the training with low‑impact logistics (local, seasonal catering, minimal waste) and show how outdoor settings can be safely and ethically used in youth work. The project aims to keep youth workers well-skilled and motivated, so they can deliver higher‑quality, more resilient youth work and positively influence their organisations long after the training ends.

Project partners (11)