In March 2019, I took part as a trainer in a deeply meaningful training course held in Viseu, Portugal, and organized by Adamastor. The training brought together youth workers and youth leaders from six countries – Italy, Bulgaria, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus – to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to better include and support young migrants and refugees in our communities.
Over the course of a week, we focused on building both practical and theoretical skills in social and educational support for displaced young people. Beyond just sharing knowledge, our goal was to create a space where participants could exchange real-life experiences, reflect on their own contexts, and imagine new ways of acting in solidarity.
One of the key moments of the training was the use of M.O.R.E. – Mediation on Responsibilities and Exploitation, an educational role-play tool that I co-created with Desiree. Through this activity, participants were invited to step into the shoes of different actors—migrants, government officials, smugglers, NGO workers—and explore the complex dynamics that shape migration in Europe today. It was powerful to see how the game helped them connect emotionally with the topic and rethink their roles as youth workers.
We also worked with tools like Cultural Conflict, which opened up honest conversations about how misunderstandings and biases arise when cultures meet. The Cultural Iceberg session helped participants reflect on what culture really means—beyond food, flags, and visible customs—and why deeper elements like values, beliefs, and communication styles matter when working with diverse communities.
The atmosphere was open, inspiring, and full of curiosity. One of the most vibrant moments was the Idea’s Market, where participants exchanged project ideas, shared what worked in their countries, and co-created new initiatives tailored to the needs of their local realities. By the end of the week, participants had not only gained knowledge, but also built a small international network ready to act and support each other.
To support the future of this network, we ran a workshop called Erasmus+ House, where we broke down the Erasmus+ programme in a visual and practical way. This allowed participants to clearly understand how they could use EU funding to turn their ideas into action back home.
The impact of this training was tangible. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, stronger cross-cultural communication skills, and a deeper awareness of how to approach the inclusion of migrants and refugees—not just as a political issue, but as a human one. It was a strong reminder that when people come together with empathy, openness, and a willingness to learn from one another, real change becomes possible.
