Connection for direction
training course
15. - 24. October 2022 in Latvia
exploration of mindfulness in youth work
We are invited to be, move, play, observe, listen, share, explore, experiment, challenge ourselves, learn from within and from each other, get to know new people & ways & attitudes, and create this experience together.
Lets explore and experiment together with activities and
methods which help us to tune in into the unfolding moment
and cultivate our ability to be present.
Connection for direction is an 8-day training course which aims to introduce and explore
“Mindfulness” in interactive and playful ways and to experiment with practical and fun tools and techniques that can be readily used in daily life, creative work and in the other situations and places too.
Who is this training for?
The training is designed for youth workers, volunteers
and other people who work with people and want to refresh their skills and attitudes to their days, to others, to work and to the world.
We aim to have overall number of 28 participants from
Latvia, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania, France & Portugal.
The participants must be over 18 years old and have a communicative level of English language,
so they can participate fully in a program that will be held in English.
This training is for youth workers who:
● want to explore and experiment with body based methods, movement, theater, dance, meditative and relaxation techniques, arts, creative expression,
● want to use and imply the learned skills in their professional work with people,
● are open to sharing their own skills and learning the skills with others,
● are motivated and willing to commit to work during the whole duration of the project (preparation, training course, follow-up activities)
What will we be doing?
● refreshing curiosity and playfulness in approaching our daily life and work
● collecting new inputs and inspiration
● improving our facilitator / trainers’ and personal skills to be more efficient, adaptable, responding to issues and demands in our work and daily life
● widening our perspectives and points of view to see new opportunities and possible approaches
By training your own awareness, acceptance, sense of initiative, you can improve the quality of your being and of your actions. We wish to support you in finding ways to be more resilient and empathic through mindfulness – by developing your skills to be fully present, listen, accept and act, by equipping you with mindfulness based tools that you can later on use in your practice.
Working methods
In the 8 days together, we will be, move, play, observe, listen, share, explore, experiment, challenge ourselves, learn from within and from each other, get to know new people & ways & attitudes, and create this experience together.
We will be exploring the principles and techniques of various mindfulness-based methodologies. We will be learning by doing.
The course will also have a strong component based on the sharing of ideas, opinions, experiences and best practices, so if you join the training, there will be time and space dedicated for your sharings.
Also, bear in mind that previous experiences with mindfulness practices are not needed to attend the training.
Space holders
Practical information
Where and when?
The training course will take place in Jumurda minor - country hotel near the Jumurdas' lake
from 15. - 24. October 2022 (travel days included).
It is located almost 2 h from the capital city Riga. The beautiful and authentic venue is surrounded by vast and well-maintained territory on the shore of the lake. The hotel's main building used to be the manor stable that was rebuilt as a living space.
Participants will live in shared rooms.
https://www.facebook.com/JumurdasMuiza
The delicious food will be vegan/vegetarian, prepared with love and care by our cooks.
https://www.facebook.com/LeGemme
Consumption of alcohol and drugs is prohibited at this venue.
How to travel
More detailed information about the travel arrangements to the venue will be provided to selected participants and will be assisted by the project coordinator.
To check your travel options, please, look for connections that take you to Riga. From there you will be further guided to the venue.
Please, try to choose the most environmentally friendly form of transport e.g. bus or train.
Try to avoid short haul (<600 km) flights, and if you must fly, choose airlines with higher
occupancy rates and more efficient aircraft.
Note: Your travels cannot be further than 2 days before or after the training course.
Due to the rules of our financial grant.
Travel reimbursement
As well more detailed information about the travel reimbursement will be provided to selected participants and will be assisted by the project coordinator.
The travel costs of the participants will be refunded after the training
course usually within 6 - 8 weeks (after participants send all their travel documents, fullfill closing tasks for the project including dissemination).
Maximum amounts:
Latvia: 23.00 €
Czech Republic, France, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia: 275.00 €
Portugal: 360.00 €
ANYWAY, DON'T FORGET TO KEEP ALL YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND RECEIPTS,
we will need them to reimburse your transport!
Costs
Accommodation, food and training program are provided.
Travel costs will be reimbursed (more info above).
Participation contribution: we offer the opportunity to self assess your contribution in a
sliding scale between 80 - 150 euro (to be paid in cash upon arrival).
Money shouldnt be and obstacle for your participation.
In case you cannot effort the contribution, please contact us.
This course was co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, Mobility of youth workers.
If you wish to learn more about the programme and its opportunities, have a look here.
Travel and health insurance
Health insurance will NOT be provided or reimbursed by the mobility
organizers. However, it is a mandatory requirement for all participants to
provide your own health insurance. This should cover you for the full
duration of your time in Latvia.
Dietary, Health and Other special requiremnets
Please, inform us as soon as possible, if you have any food allergies or
special dietary requirements so that we can inform our cooks and find out if they have possibility to prepare meals that are suitable for you.
If you have any other allergies, need to take regular medications or
foresee a need for general medicines during your time in Italy
(for example bug spray, headache tablets, travel sickness pills, etc.)
please arrange these yourself as we are unable to provide them for you.
Likewise, if you have any health conditions, disabilities or mobility issues
that you feel we need to be aware of or that may affect your participation in
the training course activities, then please let us know what they are and
how best to assist you.
Andrej Dobes (CZ)
Andrej is naturally curious kid exploring the universal magic of life on his travels around the world and in different roles in multi-culti educational youth projects and initiatives. His main passion and mission is experimenting with different methods and tools and trying to bring “mind-fool” and playful approach into youth work through nature, mindfulness and movement based activities.
More about Andrej:
Ieva Fridmane (LV)
Ieva is a passionate youth worker and trainer/facilitator who loves her job. She has more than 15 years of international experience in education - both formal and nonformal.
The scope of her work is wide, but mainly focused on team building, personal growth, growth mindset, self-awareness, leadership, and mindfulness for youth workers, educators, teenagers, and young adults.
She gets inspired by dance, movement, nature, genuine conversations, authentic people, and true laughter.
Ilze Seglina (LV)
In this project Ilze will coordinate practicalities. Her work is related to practical support for coaches and she helps to develop content and make it available in various formats. Precision and accuracy are the things that Ilze values a lot.
Ilze is inspired by high-quality events and projects that can change participants' perspectives. Ilze has always been interested in personal growth and meaningful conversations. She also enjoys long walks in nature and good movies.
Antonio Cargnello (IT)
Antonio is a passionate trainer who loves to craft experiences for self development, group awareness, creative expression and pursuit of a wise and joyful freedom. He facilitates workshops, for teenagers, students, youth workers and adults, using and mixing his expertise and experiences from theatrical improvisation, contemporary dance, martial arts and contact improvisation.
More about Antonio:
https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toy/antonio-cargnello.4718/
Application and contacts
Dear appliers, thank you very much for your interest in our training course.
Before applying though, we would like to invite you for little exploration of what it might take to participate in international event like this in times of COVID19.
We put together for you some possible scenarios and insights which might offer you better understanding.
As well we would like to invite you to have flexible approach, as the situation is quite dynamic, unpredictable and can change from day to day.
We carefully monitor the situation, are in touch with authorities and will inform all appliers about possible changes.
Apply for this training course
deadline for application is: 20th of August 2022 at 2 pm CET
and wait for the results of selection:
results will be published by: 1st of September 2022
results with detailed information will be sent via mail to all applicants
(selected - waiting list - not selected)
To apply for this training course please fill in the APPLICATION FORM
Or contact us via mail:
Hosting organization
This training course is organized by Open Sense.
Open Sense is a non-governmental organization that works to provide youth and youth workers with opportunities to discover self-awareness through non-formal education. It aims to promote youth and youth workers' active participation in society's development processes at local, regional, national, and global levels. Open Sense considers it its mission to boost youth workers (incl. teachers, social workers, psychologists, and other support staff) personal and professional capacity through national and international activities in the context of formal and non-formal education.
