Working in Teams – Training of Trainers
This past March, I participated in a project that felt exactly like that perfect blend: the Training of Trainers (ToT) in Madeira, by Awero and hosted by Teatro Metaphora.
As someone who believes in éducation populaire, I am always drawn to spaces where the expert at the front of the room disappears. In Câmara de Lobos, 24 trainers from across Europe gathered not to hear lectures, but to get our hands dirty.
This was not just about working in teams. It was about understanding the mechanics of human connection and coming from different cultures and contexts. Learning by doing, we tested, we explored and reflected the ETS (European Training Strategy) competence model.
Key competences: Understanding, Group dynamics, Managing disagreement, Taking initiative, Peer learning
The soul of non-formal education activities. It is all about the connection with the Host Community
We did not just talk about connection; we lived it. During this Training of Trainers, we planted trees in Câmara de Lobos to ensure a “empty” space in the town stays green instead of turning into a parking lot. We also visited the Regional Directorate of Youth of Madeira to learn first-hand about their work with young people on the island.
As part of a team-building activity, we hiked the Levadas trail to explore the beautiful mountains of Madeira. This was not just a walk in nature; it was a session for the soul where we put our collective energy into practice.
Outcome:
We engaged in a 360-degree competence assessment and had the opportunity to earn digital Open Badges to recognise our professional development.
