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U in Verse — a little living universe of shared exploration — a space where learning can happen through experience, movement, relationships, play, rest, and simple human presence.
It is a space to remember, together and individually, that joy, calmness, and aliveness do not need to be earned through performance, but can naturally arise when we slow down and reconnect with ourselves, others, and the living moment.
This training course will happen from 6th to 17th October (travels days included) in Chartrier Ferrière, in the ecovillage of Oasis des âges, in France.
Together, we will explore mindfulness practices, qualities, and attitudes through embodiment, movement, play, creativity, relaxation, nature connection, and shared experience.
Through experiential learning and collective exploration, we will discover practical and accessible ways of bringing more presence, awareness, authenticity, playfulness, and groundedness into everyday life and youth work practice.
In today’s fast-paced and overstimulated world, these practices can support us in slowing down, reconnecting with ourselves, gently regulating attention and stress, and cultivating a more conscious, grounded sense of wellbeing and resilience in relation to life.
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explore mindfulness and awareness-based practices that cultivate observation, listening, and conscious response
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rediscover curiosity, creativity, and playfulness as essential qualities for learning, connection, and facilitation
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explore how mindfulness and embodied practices can support resilience, emotional regulation, and wellbeing in today’s fast-paced world
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meet, explore, and cultivate qualities connected to mindfulness such as presence, acceptance, openness, and beginner’s mind
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develop and strengthen our facilitation skills in working with groups, processes, and experiential learning
In this training course we will:
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Mindfulness practices: experiment with different mindfulness approaches and practices, and explore how they can be translated into simple, accessible forms that can be used in daily life and youth work contexts.
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Embodiment practices: explore how to fully inhabit the body through movement, breath, voice, and sensory awareness. These practices support us in deepening our sense of presence, connection, and relationship with others.
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Nature-based exploration: through guided activities in nature, we will use the natural world as a space for reflection, grounding, and learning. From quiet individual walks to shared group experiences, we will explore our place within larger living systems.
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Creative expression & play: explore mindfulness through creativity, play, music, movement, and dance — discovering how presence and awareness can be expressed in joyful, spontaneous, and embodied ways.
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Personal grounding & collective reflection: create space for curiosity about ourselves and others, supporting reflection on our perceptions, discoveries, questions, and experiences — both personal and professional.
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Living cooperation & shared responsibility: engage in simple acts of shared care and cooperation. Through this, we explore how mindfulness can be lived in action — in relation to place, community, and the more-than-human world. These everyday tasks become opportunities for presence, connection, and contributing to something larger than ourselves.
Keys outcomes and objectives:
Who is this training for?
This training course is designed for youth workers, educators, social workers, facilitators, and anyone involved in supporting the personal growth and wellbeing of young people.
It is also open to people who are interested in entering the field of youth work and see this project as a first or further step in their learning and professional journey.
You can apply to this training if you are resident and traveling from (and to) France, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania and Greece.
Participants must be over 18 years and must be able to understand and communicate in English, so they can participate fully in a program that will be held in English.
We expect you to participate in the whole program. It means coming later or leaving earlier is not allowed. Also, prepare for an intensive experience with at least 6 hours of activities every day.
IMPORTANT NOTE :
This training course is designed as an active and intensive learning experience rather than a holiday or retreat. The programme includes experiential and educational activities that invite participants into active engagement, reflection, collaboration, and personal exploration within a group setting.
The practices offered during the training are intended to support learning, awareness, and wellbeing. They are not a substitute for therapy or medical support.
We encourage everyone applying for this project to carefully consider whether this type of environment and learning process is suitable for them at this moment.
Please also note that: the use of alcohol and illegal drugs is not allowed during the training course, smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated areas.
We appreciate everyone’s contribution to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive space for the whole group.
This training is for you if you are willing to:
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explore unfamiliar experiences with curiosity, openness, and self-awareness.
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share your own skills, perspectives, and experiences while remaining open to learning from others.
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be supported by the care of the group, while also contributing to a shared learning space.
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spend time outdoors, move, play, walk, rest, and dance.
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discover practical tools and inspirations for your youth work and everyday life.
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deepen your facilitation and group-work skills through experiential learning.
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engage fully in the whole learning journey, including preparation, dissemination, and follow-up activities.
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cultivate presence, authenticity, and connection — with yourself, others, and the surrounding environment.
Working methods
This training course is rooted in experiential learning, embodiment, and learning through active participation and direct experience.
It will be a collective journey where everyone is invited to contribute through curiosity, reflection, openness, and shared exploration.
Throughout the training, we will create space for exchanging ideas, experiences, challenges, and good practices connected to youth work, wellbeing, embodiment, facilitation, and personal development.
No previous experience with mindfulness, embodiment, or any of the practices mentioned above is needed to participate in this training.
Meet the Team
Space Holders
Practical Information
The training course will take place in the OASIS DES AGES. We will be accommodated in this beautiful venue in Chartrier-Ferrière, in the region of Corrèze, at 20 minutes to the city Brives La Gaillarde. There, you will share rooms with other participants and we will enjoy different activities rooms and places for relaxing. We will be surrounded by the fields and the forest, in the middle of a preserved nature.
Meals will be prepared on site using mostly local and seasonal ingredients. The food will be primarily vegetarian, with vegan options and adaptations for allergies or dietary needs available.
"Oasis des âges is a collective place, open to the world and anchored in its territory, organizing and hosting training, workshops, retreats, etc... This committed collective intends to offer and create spaces to transform our relationships with ourselves, others, territory, representations and beliefs, the living and the invisible; to take care of it, choose what is right and create new models, of a united, vibrant and committed society, to preserve the Earth and the Living.."
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How to travel ?
More detailed information about the travel arrangements to the venue will be provided to selected participants and will be assisted by the project coordinator.
To check your travel options, please, look for connections that take you to BRIVE LA GAILLARDE. From there you will be further guided to the venue.
Please, as our project is taking care about sustainability, we invite you to choose the most environmentally friendly form of transport with bus, train or carpooling. We can help you to find the best options.
Note: Your travels cannot be further than 2 days before or after the training course due to the rules of our financial grant.
Travel reimbursement
As well, more detailed information about the travel reimbursement will be provided to selected participants and will be assisted by the project coordinator.
The travel costs of the participants will be refunded, after the training course, once participants will have complete all the mandatory tasks (sharing all their travel documents, filling the Erasmus survey, sending proof of dissemination and follow-up activities).
Maximum amounts:
France: 285 €
Romania: 309 €
Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland & Portugal : 417 € (309 € if traveling by plane)
Greece: 395 €
Participation contribution: we offer the opportunity to self assess your contribution (we will explain our specific process in more details to selected participants). The goal is not to create a financial barrier, but to use this opportunity to reflect on our relationship with money and to adapt to diverse financial situations.
The contribution fee helps us to support a beautiful experience at the OASIS DES AGES, with high-quality accommodation, vegan/vegetarian meals, and enriching programs. We strive to create a supportive and transformative environment, and your contribution helps maintain these standards.
This course is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, Mobility of youth workers.
If you wish to learn more about the programme and its opportunities, have a look here.
Deadline for application is: 17th of July 2026, 12:00 PM
Results of selection will be published by: 24th of July 2026
Results with detailed information will be sent via mail to all applicants (selected - waiting list - not selected).
If you have any questions, please reach out to us.