Team

Trainer

Facilitator, nonformal education lecturer, coach, and self-discovery guide. Since 2016, he has been professionally involved in working with groups in various contexts—from the non-profit sector to the public and academic environments, both in the Czech Republic and abroad. 

He works with participants and clients on topics such as work-life balance, communication, stress management, mindfulness, self-development, connecting with oneself, movement, and nature. He draws inspiration from various sources in his work, such as Bill Plotkin's eco-centric approach. 

He teaches at the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University in Brno; at SOFA, he focuses on the topics of teacher wellbeing and the basics of a trauma-informed approach. 

He loves self-development, nature, hiking, traveling, new cultures, books, stories, peace, and psychology. More at https://www.filipknazek.eu/en/

Trainer

Lorena is a traveler, curious and optimistic being, who seeks beauty in the essence of the world. A translator, interpreter, and foreign language teacher (UAB), she has over ten years of experience in non-formal education through sociocultural and artistic projects.

 She is the founder of the association A fil de vent, which specializes in movement, subversive feminist and community narratives, and naturalist methods. 

She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Literary Theory and Comparative Literature (UB).

Liselotte is the main contact person for building and maintaining international partnerships within the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. 

At JOETZ, she coordinates projects with trainers, facilitators, volunteers, and youth workers while ensuring strong collaboration with partners. As the president of JINT, the Flemish National Agency, she stays informed about developments in international youth work and contributes to shaping youth policy.

Her academic background includes degrees in pedagogical sciences, social work, and teacher training, and she previously taught behavioural and cultural sciences in secondary school. Alongside teaching, she organized European youth exchanges and volunteered in organizations supporting young people with fewer opportunities and organizing youth camps in Belgium and abroad. 

Drawing on her broad experience—including her own EVS project in Spain—she now supports and coaches young people and youth workers in developing and participating in impactful health related international youth projects.

Thomas is the main contact person for young people and youth workers who want to engage in international activities through the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. 

At JOETZ, he promotes, supports, and organizes international youth work opportunities while guiding participants throughout their learning journey. He also follows up on selection procedures, international partnerships, and new project opportunities within the organization’s network.

Thomas discovered European youth work in 2013 and has since taken on many roles, including participant, volunteer, facilitator, organizer, and ambassador. After graduating in Social Work and Social Policies, he worked with several youth organizations and later became President of the International Young Naturefriends movement, gaining experience in leading international gatherings centered on non-formal and outdoor education. 

He later worked with the Flemish National Agency, organizing trainings for ESC volunteers and promoting youth programmes before eventually pursuing freelance work—an experience that reaffirmed his passion for facilitating and organizing international youth work, which ultimately brought him to JOETZ.