Real impact in youth work starts with authenticity — and the courage to look inward.

From 28 April to 7 May 2026, Aurora Network took part in an Erasmus+ training course in Bergolo, Italy, joining youth workers from across Europe to develop their skills, connect, and grow both personally and professionally. The week created space to explore how we cope with stress, work authentically, and create real impact on the young people we support.

What we worked on

• Communication skills and emotional intelligence
• Tools for coping with stress and burnout
• Strategies for overcoming self-criticism and perfectionism
• Building authenticity, vulnerability, and self-care in youth work
• Redefining our relationship with success and mistakes
• Creating a personal storytelling booklet mapping each participant’s journey of growth

The programme unfolded through reflective sessions, group work, experiential learning, and personal-development practices — inspired by the principles of the book The Four Agreements.

Who it was for

The course welcomed youth workers from North Macedonia who wanted to develop, learn, and lead with authenticity, with priority given to participants with fewer opportunities.

Funding

The project was co-financed by the Erasmus+ Programme through the Agenzia Italiana per la Gioventù (AIG), with accommodation, food, and travel covered according to Erasmus+ rules.

We returned home with new tools, deeper self-awareness, and a renewed commitment to authentic, caring youth work.