🇮🇹 Erasmus+ Training Course in Italy 🪞 Creative Facilitation of Meaningful Reflection in Youth Work 🌱

Ever left a great activity feeling like something was missing at the end? That moment is exactly what this Erasmus+ Training Course is about. UpsideDown Reflections invites youth workers to a social farm in the green hills near Genoa to turn reflection "upside down" and rediscover it through creative, inclusive methods, so that experiences truly become learning.

About the Organisation

La Dimora Accogliente APS was founded in 2008 in Bargagli, near Genoa, by Francesco De Vincenzi and Maura Scasso, who first opened their home to foster minors. What began as a small initiative grew into a structured association dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth. Over the years, the organisation has created long-term projects for disadvantaged young adults, such as migrants, homeless youth, the unemployed, and minors removed from their families, focusing on personal growth, psychological wellbeing, and professional development. Its mission is to help young people gain independence, discover their talents, and strengthen skills for future opportunities, and in 2022 it implemented its first Erasmus+ Youth Exchange.

About the Project

UpsideDown Reflections is a Mobility of Youth Workers (KA153-YOU) project about turning reflection "upside down" to see it in a new light. Many youth workers are skilled at delivering activities but lack the tools and confidence to guide meaningful reflection afterwards. Together, participants will deconstruct superficial approaches to reflection and rebuild them with new, creative methods.

Reflection is where experiences become learning, but only when it is guided with purpose. This project is for youth workers who want to strengthen their facilitation skills and discover creative, inclusive ways to help young people make sense of what they experience, leaving with methods they will actually use.

What the Project Aims to Achieve

🎯 Develop facilitation competences: design and deliver structured reflection sessions adapted to different learning styles, cultural contexts, and group needs

🎨 Introduce creative and inclusive methods: explore storytelling, artistic methods, digital tools, and embodied and nature-based approaches to make reflection more engaging

🤝 Strengthen peer learning and mentoring: connect experienced and newcomer youth workers through peer facilitation and mentoring circles

📜 Promote recognition through Youthpass: learn to use Youthpass not only as a certificate but as a pedagogical tool for recognising learning

🌱 Foster organisational innovation and sustainability: integrate reflection methods into daily youth work and multiply results through follow-up workshops

The Daily Programme

The daily programme includes four main activities of 1.5 hours each, plus a short Reflection and Evaluation session. Activities are interactive, educational, and fun, using non-formal methods, and include team-building, exploration of youth work practice, peer facilitation practice, and mentoring circles. Each day closes with a brief session to reflect on what was learned, share feedback, discuss challenges, and celebrate successes.

Who Can Apply

🎂 Youth workers aged 18 and over

🌍 Legal residency in one of the partner countries: 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, and 🇲🇰 North Macedonia (4 youth workers per country)

💻 Digital, interpersonal, and communication skills, team spirit, and a results-oriented approach

🗣️ Proficiency in English, able to communicate effectively

🙌 A positive, constructive attitude and eagerness to be actively involved

What to Expect

⚡ This is not a vacation: the focus is learning, sharing, and growing, and personal expenses (snacks, souvenirs, extra trips) are not reimbursed

⛺ No hotel luxury: accommodation is simple and shared, part of the group experience

🤸 Hands-on and interactive: expect movement, creation, and reflection, not long lectures or passive sitting, with active participation expected in all activities

🌈 Not a competition: a supportive, inclusive space where everyone's input matters and everyone is encouraged to step out of their comfort zone

Accommodation and Food

🌳 The venue is Casa Sottocolle, a social farm with vegetable gardens and courtyard animals (chickens, goats, cows, rabbits, donkeys, geese), in a green hilly area 24 km from Genoa

⛺ All participants stay in tents of 2, on the terrace or in the nearby forest, whichever they prefer; equipment can be provided by the host or you can bring your own

🍝 Food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee breaks) and accommodation are covered for the duration of the project, with a chance to immerse in Italian culture and traditional foods

Travel and Reimbursement

Travel expenses are covered in line with Erasmus+ Programme rules and the European distance calculator. This project implements green travel (bus, train, or carpooling for at least half the journey), which is mandatory for the countries listed as green travel. Maximum travel budgets:

💶 Bulgaria €417 (green), Greece €417 (green), North Macedonia €417 (green), Romania €417 (green), Italy €285 (green)

Participants must keep original travel tickets and submit digital copies within one week after the activity. Reimbursement is made within a maximum of two months from the end of the mobility, after all documentation and proof of dissemination activities are submitted. All travel plans must be ready by 20 July 2026, and travel must be confirmed with the organisers before purchasing tickets.

Your Responsibilities

Participation is a commitment. Mandatory activities, to be completed within a maximum of two months from the end of the course, include completing pre-mobility assessments, joining the communication group, sharing your experience on social media, organising a national dissemination activity (such as a local event, workshop, video, podcast, or article), and completing your Youthpass Certificate and evaluation surveys. Travel reimbursement is only made after these tasks are completed.

What to Bring

🧴 A towel, shower items, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat

🩴 Flip-flops (shoes must be removed when entering the accommodation), a swimming suit, and hiking shoes

🔌 A travel adapter, and a reusable bottle and cup for tea/coffee (mandatory)

📄 ID or passport, EHIC card (if applicable), valid insurance documents for Italy, any necessary medication, and an open mind

Language

🗣️ The working language is English; it does not need to be perfect, but should be good enough to participate actively. Learning a little Italian along the way is a bonus.