From August 23–25, 2025, Ohrid hosted the second training for peer educators within the Young Men Initiative (YMI) project. The three-day program brought together a dynamic group of young leaders eager to expand their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and gain practical tools for youth clubs and campaigns.
The training combined theoretical insights, interactive group discussions, and hands-on exercises, ensuring participants could translate what they learned directly into their local contexts.
Day One: Foundations of Youth Work
The opening day introduced participants to the YMI approach, with a focus on its different components (Y, E, Y+, M, F) and their relevance to youth work. Peer educators reflected on the importance of understanding the backgrounds and needs of young people and explored how youth clubs (BMKs) function as spaces for empowerment and inclusion. The day wrapped up with a session on social campaigns, highlighting their role as powerful tools for engaging young people and inspiring positive change.
Day Two: Exploring Design Thinking
On the second day, participants delved into the Design Thinking methodology, guided by experts from LEAD – Leaders for Education, Activism and Development. Through interactive activities, they created personas and used the Problem Tree exercise to map challenges faced by youth. This hands-on process allowed peer educators to better understand young people’s perspectives and co-create solutions tailored to community needs.
Day Three: From Ideas to Action
The final day shifted focus toward practical planning and youth engagement. Participants worked on concrete action plans for civil society youth activities and BMK clubs. Using the Design Thinking approach, they developed strategies to address identified challenges, presented their ideas, and received constructive feedback.
The training closed with a strong sense of motivation and commitment. Peer educators left Ohrid equipped not only with new knowledge but also with actionable plans to strengthen local initiatives and foster safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for young people.
