During the course participants will take part in sessions and workshops on communication, conflict-resolution, and burnout, relating to internal and external collective dynamics, and the struggles and challenges they are faced with in their local contexts.

Participants will take part in exercises encouraging their reflection and analysis of the personal and interpersonal processes and dynamics involved when engaging in struggles for a better world. They will also develop a tool set to help in addressing challenges.

Beyond looking at frustrations and sharing skills towards better collective working practices, we hope the course will have positive side-effects in the communities participants will return to.

Course Aims:

* To offer tools to help us work effectively with the personal element of social engagement.

* To discover ways of maintaining greater personal balance, creativity, flexibility and resilience and how to stay open and grounded so we are better empowered for action.

* To learn methods for managing our energy, recognising the importance of self-care and how to incorporate this in our lives.

* To explore methods which support more skilful communication within our groups and networks, so we can reduce the energy used in our organisations resolving (or maintaining) resentments, conflicts, betrayals – and enable our own groups to better act as an example of the values we are working for.

* To provide methods and tools for sustainable practices, especially to young activists.

We will strive for participants to leave the project:

* Feeling well, stronger and motivated to continue their activist work.

* Able to confidently practice and communicate about sustainable/healthy ways to engage in activism.

* Feeling they can effect change: applying learning and sharing their experiences with others.

* Able to develop sustainable activist practice both personally and within their groups.

Practical Information about the Course:

The project working language will be English however we encourage people with different levels of English to apply.

We will reimburse at least 70% of participant travel (by train and/or bus – no planes!), food and accommodation costs.

However, we can offer more financial help to those who need it, including some 100% funded places. Please do not let finances stop you from applying!

EYFA will provide visa support for those who need it.

EYFA is looking for activists from all over Europe with a focus on young people from Central and Eastern Europe to take part in this opportunity.

Participants must stay for the entire duration of the project. The course is not suitable for people arriving late or leaving early.

If you are interested please send your answers to the following questions to email eyfa @ eyfa . org :

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* How old are you?

* Where are you from? Where would you be traveling from to get to the project?

* Do you need further financial help?

* What languages do you speak? Please describe your speaking/listening/reading/writing levels of English?

* Where did you hear about the project (website, mailing-list, etc.)?

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* What is your motivation in applying to participate in this course?

* Tell us a bit about your background and experience with activist work: What motivates your activism? How is/are the group/s you work in organised (non-hierarchical? consensus decision making?)?

* What issues or threats do you face in your community/work? What challenges are you facing that make you feel like you would benefit from this training?

* Would you be interested on doing any follow-up work in your own community?

* What experience do you have with conflict engagement/communication tools?

DON'T FORGET --- Application Deadline: January 23 2012

This project is made possible with support from European Youth Foundation