PDA

🌟 Professional Development Activity: "Imagination and Creativity in Youth Work (ICREYOU)"

📅 Dates: January 2–10, 2026
📍 Venue: Bolko Osrodek Turystyczny, Klodzko Valley, Poland, https://icreyou.webnode.page/hosting-venue/
🇪🇺 An Erasmus+ KA153YOU Project

✨ About the PDA

From the 2nd to the 10th of January 2026, the picturesque setting of Bolesławów in Poland will host an exciting and impactful Professional Development Activity (PDA) under the Erasmus+ project "Imagination and Creativity in Youth Work (ICREYOU)". This unique training course will bring together 36 participants and 5 facilitators from 9 countries, creating a multicultural and collaborative learning space for youth workers and young leaders.

This PDA is more than a training—it is a dynamic laboratory of creativity, experimentation, and inspiration. Over seven intensive days, participants will explore how creative practices can revolutionize youth work, empower young people, and spark inclusive and transformative social impact. The event focuses on creativity not as a luxury, but as a core competence in youth work and personal development.

🎨 Theme: Imagination and Creativity in Youth Work

Creativity is a vital force in youth development, yet it is often misunderstood as a talent reserved for a few. In this PDA, we challenge that myth and instead embrace the philosophy that every person is creative. Drawing from non-formal education methods, artistic expression, and playful exploration, we will unlock new ways to engage, empower, and inspire young people through youth work.

The theme will be developed through diverse activities such as:

Improvisation & storytelling
Creative expression workshops
Shared leadership practices
Designing and testing innovative methods
Outdoor activities and cultural exploration
Toolkit co-creation: The ICREYOU Manual

By focusing on the connection between imagination, inclusion, and empowerment, participants will develop fresh tools and attitudes to bring back to their communities.

🧠 Learning Objectives

Participants will:

Develop a creative mindset and learn how to foster it in others.
Explore the role of imagination in inclusive youth work.
Practice using creative methods such as drama, games, and visual storytelling.
Design and test creative workshops and co-create a toolkit of activities.
Reflect on failure, imperfection, and experimentation as sources of growth.
Gain inspiration from cross-cultural collaboration and artistic exchange.
Create local follow-up actions to sustain the project's impact after the PDA.

🏡 Venue & Atmosphere

The training will be hosted at Bolko Osrodek Turystyczny, a cozy and fully equipped facility surrounded by the peaceful nature of the Klodzko Valley. Participants will benefit from an immersive experience away from distractions, with dedicated spaces for group work, creativity, and reflection. The venue includes a sports area, nature access, and facilities for social evenings—creating the perfect environment for connection and learning. https://icreyou.webnode.page/hosting-venue/