YMCA EUROPEÂ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY REPORT 2018 - 2019
We are greatful to our Partner Organisations:
We are greatful to the Donor Organisations: French National Agency of Erasmus + YMCA Canada Maltese National Agency of Erasmus +
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: Objectives: 1. Increase professionalism of leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the spheres of human rights, democratic governance, social relevance, project management, advocacy; 2. Involve youth in socially relevant activities; 3. Promote civic activism by advocacy actions; 4. Create opportunities for international cooperation of youth workers.
The course aimed at raising professionalism in young board members, staff and volunteers rooting their work in a rights based approach, increasing the social relevance of their organisations and the level of their work in their communities. 30 young leaders from 19 countries. Leadership, Human Rights, Humans Rights Based Approach (HRBA), Democratic Governance, Social Relevance, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Advocacy, Communication. 24-29 April 2018, Paris, France 19-24 October 2018, Svätý Jur, Slovakia 27 March - 01 April 2019, Bugibba, Malta
KEY RESULTS: 13 governance meetings for 126 leaders of CSOs were run by the participants. 10 mini-projects were implemented by the participants. The projects implemented covered 591 young people and nearly 25,000 indirect beneficiaries’
- increasing knowledge on the topics of human rights, human rights based approach, leadership, democratic governance, social relevance, project management, client oriented strategic planning, communication, public speaking, European structures, advocacy, negotiations, policy papers, campaigning, nondiscriminatory language; - mastering skills in the spheres of analysing vulnerability, creating project applications, creating and managing a project, communicating project ideas, working with process of strategic planning, public speaking, creating advocacy campaigns and policy papers, running negotiations;
KEY RESULTS: 5 campaigns developed in international teams on the following topics: Plastic consumption Inclusion of refugees Depression Social media addiction Gender equality’
- increasing motivation to develop leadership skills, learn more about human rights, strengthen their CSOs through initiating changes in governance spheres, to make their CSOs more socially relevant through analysis of their clients, to bring about changes for vulnerable groups of people in their communities through socially relevant mini-projects, to use a results oriented approach to strategic planning and project management, to implement the designed social mini-projects, to design and implement advocacy campaigns; to bring advocacy to their CSOs as a tool for work with their target groups; - enhancing International partnership between the participants through constant communication and joint educational experience, through designing joint projects and advocacy campaigns.
THEMES OF SOCIAL MINI-PROJECTS OF THE PARTICIPANTS: "Level Up: leadership education" by Kate from Russia "Unite the Opps: reduction of crime and drug use" by Susan and Darren from Ireland "YMCA Think Days: development of staff programme" by Anthony and Kylie from Malta "Child Care: supporting women in local communities" by Rita from Portugal. Rita created a job for herself through this project. "Angel near you: raise the level of personal safety during active leisure" by Iryna and Iryna from Belarus
THEMES OF SOCIAL MINI-PROJECTS OF THE PARTICIPANTS: "Women in history: promoting gender equality" by Linde from Sweden "Year of young people: mental health awareness" by Matthew, Chris and Laura from Scotland "Ecological awareness for young people" by Sophico and Solomia from Ukraine "Meetings with Civil Society Organizations and local public institutions for youth activism" by Bestjana from Macedonia "Soft skills development for youth employment" by Nanar and Shoghig from Armenia
KEY RESULTS: Nothing new 1.6%
Received some new knowledge 36.2%
We asked the participants to evaluate all topics of all three sessions. This is an overall summary of the results of questionnaires, which illustrates the general relevance of the programme to the participants. Â Â Atmosphere in the group: 4.7 (out of 5 maximum) Methods used: 4.6 (out of 5 maximum) Received a lot of new knowledge 62.3%
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SESSIONS: "Friends, great atmosphere, amazing people, sharing experience"; "Project management, creating our own projects"; "Strategic planning"; "Human rights and Human Rights Based Approach"; "Leadership"; "Methods, exercises used";
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SESSIONS: "Governance, structure of civil society organisations, democratic principles"; "Human Library"; "Advocacy: theory and practice, creating our own campaigns"; "Practicing of public speaking"; "Active listening, body language"; "Partnership and negotiations"; "The fact that there were so many people from so many countries allowed us to have amazing insightful discussions"
THE PARTICIPANTS PLAN: "Making advocacy campaigns with my YMCA about the topics they are interested in" "To fight for what I believe in: gender equality, against prostitution and pornography, and for better school system." "Explore new channels of participation. Increase youth participation  in my community through YMCA projects.� "I would like to implement our advocacy campaign in real life. I hope it can make influence on society and change something in this world"
THE PARTICIPANTS PLAN: "I plan to take the work I am doing in my YMCA more seriously and ensure that I am always moving forward in terms of representing young people and their issues" "I want to improve communication on our own YMCA meetings and in the team and discuss the communication channels that we want to use when influencing people, target groups, society" "I can write my own policy paper about separating the waste and work with it, speak about this problem on different levels” "To have more advocacy based projects in my job instead of just “fun” things"
TESTIMONIALS FROM THE PARTICIPANTSÂ OF THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Thanasis, Greece I think the first thing that had some impact on me was meeting so many different people. All new information about cultures, ideologies and functional problems of each YMCA across Europe were really enlightening and helped me to grow as a person. I surely improved my public speaking as I gained confidence about my skills and made knowledge in so many different topics. But the most important of all I finally feel and believe- truly – that I can influence the world. I can change the world. I feel powerful and ready. That’s why I thank you with all my heart!
Sofico, Ukraine
These 3 sessions were a good reminder that all we do has aim. It is for people around us, for our community. I feel really inspired by the ideas everyone had and motivated to continue working on the new projects at our YMCA.
Leadership Academy is a space where you are supported to gain knowledge in leadership. It is a safe space for young people to learn, grow, and have fun. The year has given me opportunity to learn different ways, methods, knowledge that can help me in my role. Leadership Academy is an inspiration!
Anthony, Malta
I just took part of the 3rd session of Leadership Academy but this session alone has changed a lot. Before I had the wish to be part of the change and the future of the YMCA. Now I absolutely knew that I definitely have to. The Y is doing such an important job representing the young people in different countries and I would love to be part a voice for this people!
Tobias, Germany
Participation in all 3 sessions of Leadership Academy has really been a very fruitful experience for me in every aspect. In terms of the knowledge I gained, friends I made, the ideas and feelings that we shared. It filled me with a sense of possibility that I can achieve change and make an impact – no matter how small and it gave me the necessary tools to implement my ideas. Overall I feel that I have matured. Thank you so much!
Katerina, Greece
Anonymous: Yes, it helped me to understand the structure of the YMCA and has taught me to improve my own abilities as well as giving me the tools to change and run campaigns. It has also given me more confidence in my ability and helped sustain my career in the YMCA due to the all facilitators and the group.
Anonymous: I feel that I was so nervous to start YLA in Bratislava, to meet new people from across the world. I've opened my eyes to many cultures than our own. Gaining knowledge has given me my confidence and power. It makes me strive
Leadership Academy changed focus of my thoughts. I looked at some aspects of the NGO’s work, lives of other people from new sides. I answered many questions for myself. It gave me a lot of knowledge, experience and opportunities for the future life. Trainers and all participants riched my mind and heart. I feel that I grew as a professional and as a person. Thank you very much!Â
Olya, Moldova
Anonymous: Honestly, Leadership Academy has really changed me a lot. I can feel that in my thoughts, behavior, actions. It has taught me to be confident and persistent. Now I have some kind of image of what I want to do in future, especially in projects and campaigns. YLA gave me the opportunity to understand myself and to become a better leader. I am influenced not only by knowledge and information itself but also by people I met. In the end of the program I am really very inspired and motivated. I have many ideas about the future.
Matthew, Scotland
The opportunity to connect with the other young people from around the world has made a great impact on my life and practice as a youth worker. I often return to my local young people and share stories of my experience from YLA which inspired and excited my young people to follow in my footsteps.
Anonymous:
I become more confident in the questions of public speaking of making social projects and campaigns. Now I have good strong knowledge and highlights for work in YMCA. This was good start for me and now I believe in cool future!Â
Anonymous:
I am a better listener. I am a better professional: I had the opportunity to practice some important skills such as flexibility, teamwork, critical thinking and communication skills. I am aware of my body language
It has been incredibly healthy! It has been an amazing journey and I am extremely grateful for everything you have taught me!
Anonymous Anonymous
Nanar, Armenia
I have learned so many new topics and gained practical knowledge on them. Things I cannot learn at university! I made so may new friends with similar goals but different inputs and I believe we can make a huge change together! I feel very grateful and privileged to have been a part of Leadership Academy and if I could I would do it all over again!. Thank you for all your hard work. It doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Anonymous: I have better understanding of my own strengths as a leader, influencer, volunteer, worker.
Rita, Portugal
Leadership Academy was the best experience of my life. I developed as a leader and grew as a person and professional
Susan, Ireland A year ago I was a very different person who felt very alone and undervalued. The Leadership Academy gave me an opportunity to step back from what I was struggling with and recognize the passion in me that I have for change and young people. It helped me by being a solid timeline of my journey over the past year. It opened my eyes to new possibilities and painted a clearer picture of who I am and the potential I have. I feel very grateful to have this opportunity and have met people I will remember for life. The Change is possible and I can make it!
THE PROJECT TEAM:
Martina Hudcovska (Slovakia), YMCA Europe Finance Executive Secretary works for the YMCA Europe from 1999. She has a rich experience as a trainer, project manager, fundraiser. Olga Lukina (Belarus), YMCA Europe Regional Assistant for Movement Strengthening and Project Management, a project manager in YMCA Belarus. She posesses an expertise on the topics of democratic governance, project management, strategic planning, communication, etc. Annika Lindvall Thomsson (Sweden), a volunteer from YMCA Sweden with a long time staff experience in the spheres of leadership, coaching leadership, project management, public speaking, non-verbal communication, etc. Tina Larionova (Russia), YMCA Russia President, a trainer. Tina is a an expert in group dynamics, leadership, teambuilding, interactive forms of non-formal education, communication, mission awareness, governance, etc. Richard Hughes (UK), Policy and Research Manager in YMCA England & Wales. Richard has a broad experience in advocacy, communication, fundraising, lobbying, negotiations, etc. Joao Moura (Portugal), a volunteer of YMCA Portugal, Youth Center Coordinator, psychologist and expert in project management, media communication and non-formal education methods. Magdalena Gawronska (Poland), Head of External relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. She is an expert in human rights and social relevance.
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