The power of non-formal education in rural areas – an Erasmus+ story

In March 2025, we gathered 30 youth workers from 12 different countries in Bran, Romania, for an international training course dedicated to strengthening the role of non-formal education (NFE) in rural communities. The project, titled “The Power of Non-Formal Education in Rural Areas”, was part of our Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth and continued our long-term mission to empower young people in rural areas through meaningful, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences.

Organized by Active Development Association (ADA), the training was especially designed for entry-level youth workers — those who have recently begun working with young people or who are just discovering the power of non-formal learning. At the same time, it created space for peer learning and exchange by connecting them with more experienced practitioners from across Europe. Moreover, the training created a space where practitioners could reconnect with the core values of non-formal education, refine their facilitation skills, and explore how learning can become a tool for empowerment, inclusion, participation, and transformation, particularly in rural areas where youth work is often undervalued, under-resourced, or misunderstood.

 

Why this training, and why now?

Across Europe, rural youth work often operates in the margins — underfunded, understaffed, and too often overlooked in national policies or training programs. While youth workers in urban settings may have access to resources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, those working in small towns or rural communities are more likely to rely on instinct, personal motivation, and peer support. And yet, their role is essential: they are often the only ones holding space for young people to grow, connect, and express themselves.

Non-formal education (NFE) is one of the most powerful tools youth workers have — but it’s also one that needs to be understood, practiced, and reflected upon. Especially for those just starting in this field, the learning curve can be steep, and the opportunities to build confidence and skills are rare.

This training was created as a response to that gap.

• To offer a clear and practical introduction to non-formal education, rooted in values and tested methods.
• To support entry-level youth workers in rural areas in understanding their role as facilitators of learning, not just organizers of activities.
• And to create a space for exchange and connection, because no one should have to do this work alone.

As part of our long-term Erasmus+ strategy, we believe that investing in youth workers means investing in the future of rural communities. This training was a step in that direction.

 

What happened during the training

Over eight days, the training offered a dynamic and experiential learning journey through the world of non-formal education, always rooted in rural realities and youth workers’ lived experiences. From the first introductions to the final reflections, participants were encouraged to not just understand non-formal education, but to feel it, practice it, and reflect on its role in their communities.

We began with getting to know each other and building the group, both as individuals and as a collective. Through games, storytelling exercises, and shared agreements, participants co-created a learning space based on trust, openness, and mutual respect — essential values in non-formal learning.

Once the foundation was laid, we shifted into exploring what non-formal education is. This meant more than definitions — it meant looking at the core principles behind it: learner-centeredness, voluntary participation, holistic development, and experiential learning. Through interactive methods and visual tools, participants broke down the differences and overlaps between formal, non-formal, and informal education, and mapped how each appears in their daily work.

The group then moved into experiencing NFE methods first-hand. A full day was dedicated to hands-on activities designed and facilitated by the trainers, each one followed by structured debriefings. These sessions showed how powerful even a “simple” activity can be when backed by strong educational intention, proper framing, and space for reflection.

From there, the focus turned toward participants themselves as facilitators. With support from the team, they worked in small groups to design, deliver, and reflect on their practice sessions, putting their learning into action. The emphasis was not on perfection, but on growth — taking risks, trying new approaches, and receiving constructive feedback from peers and trainers alike.

Throughout the training, there were also dedicated moments for connecting the learning back to local contexts. Participants explored how to adapt methods for rural realities, how to work with limited resources, and how to make non-formal learning visible and credible in the eyes of stakeholders, from parents to local authorities.

The final days focused on integration and future planning. In structured reflection sessions, participants looked at what they had learned about NFE, about themselves as youth workers, and about the communities they want to serve. They drafted action plans, shared challenges and next steps, and offered each other support and ideas for what comes next.

By the end of the week, the group wasn’t just a room full of youth workers — it was a community of learners, creators, and educators, ready to bring new energy to rural youth work.

 

Participant voices

When we say that learning is personal, we mean it. For the participants of our March training course, every session, every shared meal, and every late-night discussion brought new insights — not just about methods or theory, but about who they are as youth workers, and who they want to be. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“Participating in this event about non-formal education was an extraordinary experience! I enjoyed everything — from the interactive activities to the open and friendly atmosphere. The intercultural evenings were a highlight, giving me the chance to discover new traditions and perspectives. This will definitely inspire my future work.” –Dan, Moldova

 

“Hey! This was a really nice experience that exceeded my expectations. I especially appreciated Victor’s commitment and the way he taught us, not as an authority figure, but as someone walking this youth work journey with us. I’m grateful for the memories, the friends, and all the stories I’ll bring back home.” – Nathan, Malta

 

“This was an amazing journey. I learned so many things, discovered different cultures, met incredible people, and explored what youth work and non-formal education really mean. I’m grateful for this opportunity — it’s helped me grow into a better person.” – Mihajlo, Serbia

 

“The NFE in Action training was very well designed and facilitated by top-notch people. I appreciated how the trainers adapted to our needs and interacted with us openly. The activities helped me explore my abilities and understand myself better, and confirmed for me that non-formal education is the most powerful form of learning.” – Alexandru, Romania

 

“This experience made me look at many things from new perspectives, and it motivated me to do more for my community.” – Olena, Ukraine

 

“I was pleasantly surprised by how everything was structured and informative, without ever feeling overwhelmed. Getting to know everyone at the start helped build a great group atmosphere.” – Ilona, Ukraine

 

“I learned so many creative methods, tools, and ways to attract young people and help them gain skills. This training was incredibly useful — I’ll use what I learned in both my job and my life.” – Nargiza, Turkey

 

“Excellent experience! I learned many new methods and tools. Thank you! ☀️” – Valentina, Croatia

 

“Being part of the project was an inspiring and eye-opening experience. I met amazing people, shared ideas, and learned so much about rural communities and inclusion. It showed me how small actions can create real change. Truly grateful for this journey.” – Tiko, Georgia

 

“I loved this project a lot! I gained skills in working with groups and understood what non-formal education really means. But for me, the highlight was the people — I made lifelong friends and felt pushed out of my comfort zone in the best way. I’m thankful I came.” – Achal, Italy

 

“This experience has been incredibly enriching, both personally and professionally. I’ve learned, grown, and connected with people from all over the world in a positive, energetic space. The friendships and memories will stay with me forever.” – Marta, Spain

 

“Participating in ADA’s training course was a powerful and emotional journey for me. It challenged my views, made me reflect, and left a lasting personal impact.” – Carolina, Portugal

 

What’s next?

For many of the participants, this was more than just a training course — it was their very first step into the world of youth work. And for others, it was a return to the roots: a space to reconnect with the purpose that brought them here in the first place.

As part of our Erasmus+ strategy, The Power of Non-Formal Education in Rural Areas marked a key moment in our mission to strengthen youth work from the ground up — especially in rural communities where access to quality learning and support is often limited. By intentionally bringing together entry-level youth workers and more experienced practitioners, we created a space for shared learning, mentorship, and mutual empowerment.

Many participants have already begun using the tools, methods, and confidence gained during the training: from running small-scale local workshops and facilitating group discussions to joining international youth projects or shaping their first educational activities with peers back home.

At ADA, we’re continuing to support this journey. In the coming months, we’ll launch a series of online follow-up sessions, offering mentoring, space for sharing progress, and additional tools to support their next steps. Together with our partners, we’re also exploring new opportunities to connect rural youth workers through job shadowing, exchanges, and future training initiatives.

Because we believe in the ripple effect of non-formal education — when one youth worker grows, an entire community can grow with them. And when rural youth have access to inspired, well-equipped educators and role models, change becomes not only possible, but unstoppable.

 

Disclaimer: The mobility was organized within the project 2024-1-RO01-KA151-YOU-000207686, under Active Development Association’s Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth no. 2022-1-RO01-KA150-YOU-00011043. The project was funded by the European Union.