Talking About Conflicts

The first training course of the project took place in Romania, hosted by Asociația Agoje, as the leading organisation of the mobility. It marked the beginning of a shared learning process for youth workers coming from different cultural and professional backgrounds.

From the very start, the focus was on how groups function and what people need in order to feel safe enough to communicate honestly. A lot of attention was given to building a braver and safer space, where participants could express themselves, listen to others, and engage with difficult topics without fear of judgment.

Instead of working with abstract theory, the training relied heavily on non-formal education methods. Participants learned by experiencing group processes themselves: through reflection circles, practical exercises, movement-based activities, role work, and guided discussions. Communication was explored not only through words, but also through body language, emotions, and group dynamics.

Key topics addressed during the Romanian training included:

• awareness of personal needs, boundaries, and communication styles;

• active listening and different listening attitudes;

• expressing oneself clearly and authentically;

• understanding conflict as a natural part of group life;

• recognizing how misunderstandings and tensions can emerge if communication breaks down.

The training created space for participants to reflect on their own experiences as youth workers and to connect what was happening in the group with situations they face in their everyday work. This first mobility laid the foundation for trust within the group and provided a shared language around communication and conflict that would be further developed in the next phase of the project.

The second training course took place in Greece and was built directly on the learning experience from Romania. By this point, participants were already familiar with each other and with the basic concepts introduced during the first mobility, which allowed the group to go deeper into more complex aspects of conflict. 

This phase of the project focused on how conflicts develop inside groups, especially when diversity, power dynamics, cultural differences, or social inequalities are involved. Participants explored not only interpersonal conflicts, but also tensions linked to broader social contexts that often influence youth work settings. 

The learning process continued to be experiential. Through structured activities, creative methods, and group reflection, participants examined:

• how conflicts escalate and what early signs are often overlooked;

• the role of emotions, assumptions, and unmet needs in conflict situations;

• ways to intervene constructively before conflicts become destructive;

• how youth workers can support groups in navigating tensions without taking control away from participants.

Special attention was given to methods that encourage collective responsibility, cooperation, and empathy. Creative approaches such as role play and forum-based methods allowed participants to explore real situations in a safe and reflective way, testing different responses and outcomes.

The second mobility also played an important role in transforming the learning into concrete tools. Many of the exercises and methods tested during the training were discussed, refined, and later documented, forming the basis of the Talking About Conflicts Toolbox.

Together, the two training courses created a coherent learning journey: from building trust and communication skills in Romania, to working with more complex conflict dynamics in Greece. Always with the aim of supporting youth workers in creating healthier, aware, and more inclusive group spaces.