Thematic Awareness Training – Integration

About the training

Where & when: 12–21 May 2025 (12 is arrival day, 21 is departure day), Moneasa (Arad county), Romania.

Main themes: integration of young refugees, social inclusion, diversity, intercultural learning, anti-discrimination and peer education.

The Thematic Awareness Training – Integration is a training course for youth workers and teachers who want to work more consciously
with integration and inclusion in their communities. It is based on peer education methodology and aims to empower young refugees
and European young people to prevent xenophobia and intolerance by becoming “teachers” for their peers.

The training proposes an integrated approach that supports the cultural adaptation of young refugees, reduces discrimination and
strengthens civic and intercultural competences of both refugees and local young people.

Organisation & partners

• Host/organiser: Ofensiva Tinerilor Association (Arad, Romania)
• Participants: youth workers, teachers and active volunteers involved in youth work and integration projects

📄 Download the Infopack (PDF)

Programme highlights

• Integration-focused sessions: activities on the social inclusion of refugees and newly arrived young people.
• Peer education in practice: tools for involving young people as peer educators who challenge xenophobia and intolerance.
• Civic & intercultural competences: methods to foster empathy, critical thinking and intercultural dialogue.
• Exchange of practices: sharing of local realities, challenges and good practices between different countries and organisations.

What participants will learn

• How to design and implement peer education activities on integration and anti-discrimination.
• New non-formal learning methods that help young people reflect on diversity, stereotypes and prejudice.
• Practical strategies to support the social inclusion of young refugees in local communities.
• How to adapt tools and activities to different contexts, groups and realities.

Who is this training for?

• People involved in youth work – staff or active volunteers of the sending organisation.
• Youth workers and teachers working with refugees, migrants or mixed community groups.
• Participants motivated to use the methods locally and share their results and challenges after the course.

Each participant needs to have a sending organisation. Before confirming participation, a short mandate/partnership
form will be signed between Ofensiva Tinerilor and the sending organisation.

Participants are selected according to their motivation and willingness to be actively involved in the learning journey.

Logistical aspects

Travel to Arad, Romania

Participants will first travel to Arad. From there, a common transport will be organised to the training venue near Moneasa.

• Via Budapest airport (Hungary) – approx. 250 km from Arad. A shuttle bus or direct train can be used to reach Arad.
  A recommended shuttle company is Simplicity (shuttle buses between Budapest and Arad).
• Via Timișoara airport (Romania) – approx. 50 km from Arad. From Timișoara airport you can use a train to Arad
  (stations: Timișoara Nord & Arad), then take tram no. 3 or 6 in Arad.
• By train – there are direct routes from Budapest (Keleti station) to Arad, several times per day (journey approx. 4–5 hours).
• By car – please keep your toll receipts and a printed Google Maps route (both ways) for reimbursement.
• By bus – several private bus companies run international routes to/from Romania (for example, check routes via comparison sites).

Different means of transport can be combined, as long as all tickets and proofs are kept for reimbursement.

Venue & accommodation

The training will take place at Tabăra Moneasa, in a mountain resort area at the foot of the Codru Moma mountains.
The area is known for its fresh, strongly ionized air and natural surroundings that support relaxation and learning.

Participants will be hosted in rooms of 2–3 people of the same gender, with shared bathrooms.

Everyone will contribute to maintaining the common spaces clean – for example by washing their own dishes and helping with setting the tables.

Food & dietary needs

Participants will receive 3 meals and 2 coffee breaks per day. Special dietary needs (allergies, intolerances or religious
dietary requirements) should be clearly mentioned in the application/selection process.

If dietary needs are not mentioned in advance, the organisers cannot guarantee that they will be taken into consideration by the restaurant.

Reimbursement & what to bring

Travel reimbursement

Travel costs will be reimbursed according to the Erasmus+ distance bands and funding rules.
Each participant will receive a reimbursement form and should keep all original travel documents (round trip
boarding passes, flight itinerary, train and bus tickets, etc.).

Reimbursement will be made by bank transfer to each participant after the organisers receive all original
travel documents from all participants.

What to bring

• Your good mood and openness to learn 🙂
• Laptop / photo camera if you wish to use them in activities.
• Comfortable outdoor clothing – the venue is in nature and evenings can be slightly cold outside.
• Music you like – it can be used during breaks and informal moments.
• Anything you need for your personal comfort and evening activities: musical instruments, games, sports shoes and clothes, etc.
• Personal medication – make sure you have enough for your whole stay.
• Mosquito spray – summer in nature can bring some mosquitoes.
• Optional: traditional sweets or drinks from your country, to share with other participants.

Funding

The training course is supported within the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. Travel, accommodation
and activity costs are covered according to the programme rules and distance bands.