The project “Guidance towards Healthy Masculinity” addresses the long-term problem of the lack of male role models in the upbringing and development of adolescent boys. Most of them grow up in a primarily female environment – after divorces they usually stay with their mothers, and in education up to 90% of teachers are women. As a result, boys do not have a natural opportunity to observe mature male behavior or to learn from older men how to manage emotions, conflicts, strength, or relationships. This deficit is gradually being filled by influencers from the so-called manosphere, who spread toxic masculinity, male superiority, and misogyny. Research and media reports show that the number of boys influenced by this environment is rapidly increasing. These young men increasingly question gender equality, reject women’s education, or even display aggression towards girls. Such a development directly undermines social initiatives and programs aimed at gender equality and at creating respectful relationships between men and women. Therefore, it is necessary to deliberately support youth workers – especially men – so that they have the tools, experience, and courage to lead open conversations with adolescent boys, provide them with healthy models of masculinity, and respond effectively to negative influences from the online environment. Specifically, through self-experience, reflection, and methodological inputs, participants in the first part of the training will: - Learn the basic principles of sharing and working in a “men’s circle” - Understand how to work with reflection on experienced activities and related questions - Learn about Bill Plotkin’s concept of the Wheel of Life and how it highlights the transition from childhood to adulthood - Discover how to work with nature as a natural and real challenge, and how it positively influences learning - Explore the most important issues adolescent boys and young men face, and how to approach them - Gain experience with physical and psychological challenges and understand how to use them in work with adolescent boys - Experience a sweat lodge and a Vision Quest as examples of rituals, and reflect on what time spent alone without technology can bring - Go through an example of a transitional ritual from parents and ancestors, and understand what role such rituals played in the past and how they can still be useful today - Become familiar with the methodology of workshops we have implemented with young men in schools, and the key insights related to them - Plan specific activities for their own practice based on what they have learned, and carry them out with support - Gain inspiration from the work of other men in the group Through this project, we aim to contribute to the development of a mature, healthy male identity and to support youth workers in creating inclusive and safe environments for young men, where they can learn to manage emotions, conflicts, and life challenges in ways that contribute to equality and positive relationships in society.