Initial Workshop in Poland for youth and youth workers (19 February to 24 February 2025)
From the 19 th to the 24 th of February 2025, 6 groups met in Starachowice taking part in the "workshops for youth and youth workers" which serves as the introduction to the CERV project CITIES 4 YOUTH NEXT GEN. These are:
- the municipality of Starachowice of Poland where these workshops took place
- the municipality of Kielce, also of Poland
- the municipality of Valongo, of Portugal
- the municipality of Alzira, of Spain
- the municipality of Faenza, of Italy
- and NGO ACPELIA, based in Pissouri
As 19 th of February was the travel day we begin with Day 2, the 20nd of February
Day 2 - 20 February 2025
The day began at the Starachowice Community Center with introductions and presentations from all six project groups. The rest of the day focused on icebreakers to help participants connect, including name games, portrait drawing, and silent lineup activities. In mixed groups, participants designed their ideal "youth island," considering sustainability, transport, culture, and leisure. After reflections, the day ended with dinner at Merkury Pałacyk Restaurant, where future activities would take place.
Day 3 – 21 February 2025
The day began with a singing energizer using medieval English, setting the tone for a focus on communication skills—essential for organizing youth events like festivals. The first session covered interpersonal skills, teamwork, and information transfer through a storytelling exercise. The second session, in national teams, explored communication and leadership, highlighting how self-presentation influences audience perception—often referencing politicians. To apply these skills, participants organized and facilitated a debate, preparing them for future project tasks. The evening ended with a cultural night, where Poland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus shared their traditions and snacks.
Day 4 – 22 February 2025
Day 4 began with humorous clapping and communication energizers, leading to a workshop on leadership skills. It focused on the power of language in media, leadership, and inspiration. The second session was about designing local participation initiatives, discussing best practices, methods, objectives, timelines, task distribution, and target audiences. After some free time in Starachowice, we enjoyed a nice dinner at Merkury Restaurant.
Day 5 – 23 February 2025
The last day of the project! In national groups, teams discussed and prepared their local initiatives for their six municipalities, covering target audiences, budgeting, logistics, and objectives. After their hard work, each team presented their plans and received feedback from the other five teams to improve their implementations. The closing session included discussions on what's next, a summary, an evaluation of the training, and finally, receiving our certificates.
The CERV Workshops for Youth and Youth Workers brought together young leaders from across Europe to develop key skills in communication, leadership, and community engagement. Through interactive activities, cultural exchange, and hands-on planning, participants designed impactful initiatives to implement in their local communities. This experience fostered collaboration, innovation, and empowerment, shaping the next generation of youth leaders committed to positive change.
