EKO is happy to announce that one more amazing Erasmus+ training course has been completed successfully. The project “ConnectYON Makers” brought together youth workers, educators, community leaders, activists, and changemakers from different European countries. It was hosted in Grzybów, Poland, from 27 July to 5 August 2026, with EKO Greece participating as the sending partner organisation.
Aims & Objectives of the project
This training course empowered participants to explore innovative ways of connecting with Yourself, Others, and Nature, following the ConnectYON methodology. Through experiential learning, hands-on activities, reflection, and non-formal education, participants strengthened their personal, social, and environmental competences while discovering new approaches they can transfer to their work with young people and local communities.
The project placed a strong emphasis on self-awareness, emotional resilience, mindfulness, empathic communication, community building, and environmental responsibility. Participants explored their own needs, values, strengths, and aspirations while developing practices that encourage personal growth, resilience, and wellbeing.
At the same time, the training promoted meaningful connections with others through deep listening and Nonviolent Communication, supporting participants in building more inclusive relationships and communities. Connection with nature was another fundamental dimension of the project, encouraging participants to rediscover themselves as part of the natural environment and explore more sustainable and regenerative ways of living.
More specifically, the project aimed to:
- Develop stronger self-awareness, emotional resilience, and mindfulness, supporting participants in their personal and professional growth.
- Improve communication and collaboration skills through empathic communication, deep listening, teamwork, and conflict-resolution practices.
- Promote sustainable and regenerative lifestyles by connecting environmental concepts with practical, hands-on experiences.
- Equip youth workers with new tools and methodologies to support young people in personal growth, community building, and environmental awareness.
- Strengthen intercultural learning and cooperation by creating a space where youth workers and changemakers from across Europe could exchange experiences, perspectives, and good practices.
- Empower participants as proactive changemakers, capable of bringing positive transformation to themselves, young people, their communities, and the wider environment.
Workshops & Activities of the project
The training course was based on active and non-formal education methods, creating a participatory learning environment where participants could shape their own learning paths. Some sessions took place with the whole group, while others were organised in smaller groups, giving participants the opportunity to select workshops according to their needs and interests.
Throughout the programme, participants had the opportunity to discuss and listen, strengthen social skills such as empathy, communication, awareness, teamwork, and creativity, and meet other youth workers, educators, community leaders, and activists. They exchanged knowledge and good practices, explored challenges faced by young people in different local contexts, and created opportunities for future collaboration.
The natural surroundings of Grzybów played an important role in the learning experience. Community living, shared spaces, the presence of animals, and the peaceful rural environment allowed participants to step away from everyday urban distractions and experience a closer connection with nature. The project also embraced environmentally conscious practices, including vegetarian and vegan food, with many ingredients sourced locally and organically.
Through the combination of personal reflection, intercultural exchange, experiential learning, environmental awareness, and community living, participants left the project with new competences, methodologies, and inspiration to incorporate into their work with young people. Most importantly, the experience encouraged them to become more conscious and connected changemakers, ready to contribute positively to their communities.
It is an amazing opportunity and a great experience for EKO’s team.
Stavroula, Eleni, and Apostolos were the amazing Greek team members whom we want to thank for all their contributions, positive energy, active participation, and collaboration throughout the project!
As EKO, we are very grateful for this amazing opportunity given to the Greek team. We would like to thank our Polish partner KobieTY.lodz.pl, as well as the trainers, facilitators, and everyone involved in the hosting organisation, for all their hard work, dedication, and for creating such a meaningful and inspiring learning experience!
Thank you – Ευχαριστούμε – Dziękujemy!
