The programme combined workshops, guided reflections, coaching exercises, and sharing sessions in smaller groups. Participants explored topics such as personal values, boundaries, emotional awareness, and self-care. All essential aspects of youth work that are often overlooked in practice. The opportunity to slow down and engage in authentic conversations was shaped not only by the programme itself, but also by the setting: a peaceful, environmentally focused centre surrounded by nature.
One of the most powerful moments of the week was a volunteering activity at the local Porta Coeli monastery. Participants contributed their energy to the local community while also experiencing firsthand how closely personal development, mindfulness, and engagement in something greater than oneself are connected.
The evenings were dedicated to informal gatherings, sharing traditions, food, and stories from participants’ home countries. The international community, representing fourteen countries from Spain and Georgia to Denmark, gradually became more than just a group, it became a real community.
Participants returned home with more than just notebooks full of reflections: they gained greater self-confidence, practical tools for setting boundaries and preventing burnout, and a stronger commitment to approaching youth work in a more sustainable and human-centred way.
