RISE Training
RISE - Retour sur une expérience Erasmus+ en Slovaquie à Ekokomunita Sekier (in english)
An Inner and Outer Journey Through Nature, Self, and Community
From the 8th to the 16th of July 2025, 27 youth workers gathered in Slovakia, hosted at Ekokomunita Sekier - an intentional community nestled in the hills and embraced by the surrounding forest. The place itself felt like an invitation: to slow down, to listen, and to reconnect. Sekier offered not only a physical space, but an atmosphere, an oasis of calm where simple living and small-scale farming meet deep personal exploration. Guided by Ognian and Toni, we embarked on what would become far more than a training course. It was a journey into ourselves, into nature, and into the invisible threads that connect us all.
The Meaning behind RISE
RISE stands for Resilience, Inner Growth, Service, and Empathy - four pillars that shaped both the structure and the spirit of the training. These were not just abstract ideas presented in sessions; they were lived, experienced, challenged, and embodied throughout the eight days.
The main aim of the training was to enhance our ability as youth workers to support sustainable individual development in young people, through a holistic approach combining nature-based practices, somatic work, and developmental psychology; we were invited to rethink how growth and healing can happen.
Arriving: The First Step Into the Unknown
The arrival day felt like stepping into another rhythm. People came from different countries, backgrounds, and professions - youth workers, therapists, teachers, facilitators - but quickly, these labels started to dissolve. Ice-breakers, storytelling, and informal conversations helped us begin weaving the fabric of the group. There was curiosity, a bit of nervousness, and a shared sense that something meaningful was about to unfold.
Building the Container: Trust and Group Dynamics
The first full day focused on creating a safe and supportive environment. Through group agreements, we co-created a space rooted in respect, openness, and authenticity. Activities to challenge us to collaborate, communicate, and trust each other.
Diving Into Practice: Body, Mind, and Nature
From the second day onward, the training became more experiential. Each morning began with practices connecting us to our bodies and surroundings: movement, meditation, poems and silent wandering in nature. The concept of “wanders” became central. We were given invitations rather than instructions - questions or themes to carry into the forest. Alone among trees, rocks, and beings, we listened. Not just with our ears, but with our whole self.
We also explored:
Journaling and reflective writing
Authentic relating exercises
Dance and free movement
Guided visualizations and deep imagery
Pair work and emotional processing
The combination of going out into the wild and returning to share and integrate created a powerful rhythm. Step by step, something inside us began to shift.
Understanding Development: The Eight Needs
A key part of the training was exploring the eight fundamental needs for individual development: belonging, meaningful connection, confidence, well-being, authenticity, mastery, learning, and purpose. Through discussions, role-plays, and creative exercises, we examined what happens when these needs are not met, especially in the lives of marginalized youth. Issues such as social exclusion, mental health struggles, and lack of direction suddenly felt more tangible and complex. At the same time, we explored how youth work can actively support these needs. Not through rigid programs, but through presence, creativity, and meaningful relationships.
The Map of the Psyche
Another key element of the training was the Map of the Psyche - our inner village. It describes four inner directions that reflect different ways of knowing, loving, and relating to life. The East represents beginnings, curiosity, and sensing; the South connects to embodiment, emotions, and belonging to Earth; the West invites imagination, dreams, and inner transformation; and the North brings integration, wisdom, and contribution through care and relationship with others. This map offered us a way to better understand our inner dynamics and life balance.
Nature as Teacher
Day by day, our relationship with nature deepened. For some, it meant rediscovering something familiar. For others, it was a completely new experience. Sleeping outside, sitting alone in the forest, or simply observing a tree became moments of connection and insight. Many participants shared a shift from seeing nature as something external to experiencing it as a relationship, a living system we are part of. There was a growing sense of humility and belonging.
Integration Through Creativity and Movement
Evenings were often dedicated to creative expression, poetry, theater, storytelling, and dance. These moments allowed us to integrate our experiences in non-verbal ways. Movement practices, in particular, opened new doors. For some, it was the first time they felt truly connected to their bodies. There was laughter, vulnerability, and sometimes tears. But above all, there was authenticity.
Applying the Learning
In the final days, the focus shifted toward application. In groups, we designed and tested workshops based on what we had learned. It was inspiring to see how each group adapted the methods to their own contexts, working with different target groups, challenges, and cultural backgrounds. Feedback sessions were constructive and supportive, reinforcing the sense of community that had developed.
Closing: Carrying the Experience Forward
The last day was dedicated to reflection, evaluation, and future planning. Through the Youthpass process, we identified the skills, knowledge, and attitudes we had developed. More importantly, we asked ourselves: How will we bring this into our lives and work? There was a sense that the training was not ending, but beginning.
What Remains
Looking back, what stands out is not just the content, but also the feeling.
A feeling of:
Being more connected - to oneself, to others, to nature
Having new tools - not only for work, but for life
Trusting the unknown
Allowing space for imagination, emotion, and silence
Testimonies from Participants
Maria
“This program opened my heart, eyes, and mind. It cannot be described with words. All I can say is ‘heart full of love, life-changing transformation, and deep connection to everything around’. Finding lost pieces of myself.”
Anna
“This training came at the perfect moment for me. I was quite lost and disconnected from my inner world. This week helped me reconnect deeply with myself and discover a part of me that feels one with nature. It also helped me understand how I want to shape my future practice as a therapist.”
Laura
“I really recommend this project because I discovered myself. All the activities were amazing, deep, and emotional. I connected with my body, nature, and the group. It was a beautiful week in the mountains that I will remember forever.”
Balu
“A whirl of new experiences, perspectives, and approaches, while at the same time feeling calmer and more grounded. A very exciting, inspiring journey.”
Timmin
“I spent a week learning how to be my most authentic self and how to explore my life through my relationship with nature. Nature feels like a family member now—something I love, care for, and receive care from. The connections we built in such a short time were truly special.”
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The RISE project was implemented by Oz Ježko in partnership with EuroYouth e.V., Fondatsia Uchene Za Promyana, Grain&Sens, Mobility Opportunities Happening APS, RELEARN Suderbyn and co-funded by the European Union.