International Active Cities Association has reached another milestone in empowering youth and facilitating their access to global opportunities. As part of the ESC project “Solidarity Circle: Volunteering Hands in Sports” (Project code: 2023-1-TR01-ESC30-SOL-000145720), the “EU Erasmus+ & ESC Training and Environmental Project Workshop” was successfully carried out, marking a significant step in the personal development journeys of the participants.
Led by instructor Şeyma Kütükçüoğlu, this comprehensive program consisted of two strategic sessions that complemented each other:
Session 1: European Union Opportunities and Digital Gateways In the first part of the program, instructor Şeyma Kütükçüoğlu delivered a detailed presentation on the vast opportunities provided by the European Union and the personal gains offered by the Erasmus+ program. Emphasizing the cultural and professional competencies youth can acquire through these projects, the session featured practical demonstrations of essential platforms such as Webgate, European Youth Portal, Turkish National Agency, Funding & Tenders, and Salto. Participants had the chance to directly experience how to apply for new projects and track opportunities using these digital tools.
Session 2: Project Writing Workshop and Green-Themed Innovations In the second stage of the training, theoretical knowledge was put into practice. In the workshop conducted under the guidance of instructor Şeyma Kütükçüoğlu, the cornerstones of project management, such as problem tree analysis, goal setting strategies, and matrix techniques, were discussed. Uniting around the theme of “Environmental Awareness,” participants worked in groups to design innovative and green-themed projects aimed at protecting nature. This process supported the development of critical skills such as teamwork, leadership, and crisis management, in addition to project writing.
In the closing part of the event, the groups pitched their environmental projects to the other participants. Through the interactive feedback session held after the presentations, the participants’ public speaking skills, diction, and self-confidence were strengthened. The training series concluded with a shared evaluation session where participants exchanged the experiences they gained throughout the process.
