Communication by Connection is a beginner-level training course designed for youth workers who want to strengthen their communication and facilitation skills while learning how to create safer, more inclusive environments for young people.

Throughout the training, participants will explore topics such as discrimination, communication styles, conflict management, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC), using a combination of experiential learning, practical exercises, peer exchange, and reflection.

The project responds to current social challenges affecting young people, including discrimination, bullying, social exclusion and increasing polarization within communities. By developing empathetic communication skills and conflict-sensitive approaches, participants will gain practical tools that can be directly transferred into their daily youth work practice.

The training will also create space for international cooperation, exchange of good practices and co-creation of educational resources that can continue to be used by participants and partner organizations after the project ends.

To achieve its aim, the project focuses on the following objectives:

• Strengthening the professional capabilities of 30 youth workers in inclusive communication and conflict-sensitive facilitation through structured training, peer learning and experiential exercises, enabling them to better respond to the needs of diverse groups of young people.

• Increasing the quality and novelty of youth work practices by elaborating a set of practical and flexible digital tools that would support youth workers and organizations in educating on open and empathetic communication and inclusion among young people.

• Building a sustainable international community of youth workers and organizations, enabling co-creation of adaptable tools that can be integrated into local youth work realities, continuous exchange of practices and joint reflection on youth work challenges.

We chose Olde Vechte Foundation, an international training center located in the green surroundings of Ommen, a small town in the eastern part of the Netherlands.

The venue has extensive experience hosting Erasmus+ activities and offers a comfortable environment for learning, networking and intercultural exchange.

The venue provides both indoor and outdoor spaces suitable for workshops, group work and non-formal education activities.

All meals will be served at the venue and prepared by our chef throughout the duration of the training.

We will collect dietary requirements before the activity to ensure that all participants can fully enjoy the meals provided.

Participants will be accommodated in shared rooms of 2-3 people, with shared bathroom facilities.

Please note that bed linen will be provided by the accommodation. Participants should bring their own towels, toiletries and personal hygiene products.

D.G.T. Netherlands is a youth organization that believes in the power of learning, connection and international cooperation. By bringing together young people and youth workers from different backgrounds, we create spaces where participants can exchange ideas, develop new competences and grow both personally and professionally.

As part of the D.G.T. (Do Great Things) Network, we design and implement Erasmus+ projects that encourage active citizenship, inclusion, intercultural dialogue and lifelong learning. Our activities are based on non-formal education, experiential learning and the belief that meaningful encounters can create lasting positive change in individuals and communities.

Through training courses, youth exchanges, volunteering opportunities and international partnerships, we support participants in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become active contributors within their communities and beyond.

Our projects bring together people from different cultures, experiences and perspectives, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding and long-lasting connections. We believe that some of the most valuable learning happens when people feel safe to share, collaborate and learn from one another.

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