Welcome to our initiative designed to empower scout volunteers with the skills and knowledge to effectively handle crisis situations. By uniting three scout organizations (Scout Association of Slovenia, Scout Association of Serbia and Scout Association of Croatia), we’re creating comprehensive guidelines for responsible response and communication during emergencies. Our mission is to equip scouts with the tools they need to navigate emergencies while upholding core scouting values, enhancing the resilience and preparedness of our scouting community. Join us in building a stronger, more responsive network of scout volunteers!
THE MAIN GOALS OF THE PROJECT
Our primary goal is to train participants on how to respond responsibly and communicate effectively during critical situations. By equipping scout volunteers with these essential skills, we aim to enhance their ability to manage emergencies confidently and competently.
Another key objective is to co-create guidelines for responsible response and communication in crises within scouting organizations. This collaborative effort will be guided by experienced mentors and experts, ensuring the guidelines are robust and practical.
We also focus on transferring this valuable knowledge to other youth workers in partner organizations. By doing so, we ensure that the benefits of our training extend beyond the initial participants, fostering a wider network of well-prepared individuals.
Ultimately, our goal is to help scouting organizations become more resilient and prepared for emergencies. By improving their response and communication strategies in crisis situations, while staying true to core scouting values, we aim to build a stronger, more capable scouting community.
Efficient crisis response training really meant a lot to me, since it gave me the tools and the skills to, in case of emergency, handle such a situation accordingly, all while being guided by scout values. Also, bringing together three very similar scout associations from the same region, which shares cultural similarities, was a great aspect of this course because we usually face the same challenges, but don’t always perceive them the same way. And the social aspect of it was also amazing since we are all so similar!
Denis Redžić, Serbia
identifying risks and vulnerabilities of scouting organizations ☆ crisis awareness and response ☆ stakeholder recognition ☆ crisis team roles and competencies ☆ crisis information and action planning ☆ effective stakeholder communication ☆ best practices exchange ☆ parent communication and difficult conversations ☆ media relations ☆ post-crisis recovery and systemic change ☆ responsible response guidelines ☆ guideline implementation strategies ☆ basics of non-formal education ☆ scouting method and experiential learning ☆ public speaking skills: communication techniques + performance preparation + simulation and practice ☆ delivering effective presentations ☆ interactive knowledge transfer methods ☆ workshop planning: crisis response guidelines ☆
ACTIVITIES
The workshops are divided into individual segments to ensure participants understand the importance of appropriate crisis response and communication within the scouting organization in times of crisis.
PRECEDING
We kicked off with a welcome and participant check-in, followed by the program presentation. We dove into the survey results and had an insightful discussion about participants‘ expectations and wishes. A Q&A session addressed all questions and answers. We wrapped up the workshop with essential logistical information.
At week one, workshops equipped participants with essential skills for effective crisis response and communication within the scouting organization. Through a series of engaging segments, attendees mastered identifying risks, vulnerabilities, and uncertainties, while becoming adept at recognizing key stakeholders and their needs during a crisis. They gained a deep understanding of the roles and competencies required for crisis teams and spokespeople, and learned to gather critical information and take necessary measures to mitigate danger and support those affected. Participants explored best practices from the Slovenian Scout Association and other partners, mastering communication with parents, the media, and stakeholders through the right channels at the right time. Additionally, they tackled post-crisis challenges and systemic changes, contributed to developing responsible response guidelines tailored to their organizations, and learned strategies to effectively implement these guidelines in practice. The event transformed attendees‘ crisis management capabilities, ensuring their organizations are prepared for any situation!
UPCOMING
We’ll start this online meeting with an introduction and participant check-in, followed by a reflection on the previous event. Then, we’ll present the localized crisis response and communication guidelines. The session will feature a lively Q&A, and we’ll wrap up with information on the next steps in the project.
The workshop will be an engaging journey through essential skills for public speaking, presentation, and workshop preparation. We will start with the Basics of Non-Formal Education, setting a strong foundation for effective learning methods. Participants will then refresh their knowledge on Crisis Response and Communication, including tailored guidelines for scouting organizations. The session will highlight the Scouting Approach and Experiential Learning, focusing on hands-on techniques. We will dive into Public Speaking Skills, covering Non-Verbal and Verbal Communication, Performance Preparation, and Simulation Practice to build confidence. Attendees will learn to Prepare Effective Content Presentations and practice Delivering Presentations with practical examples. The workshop will also introduce Knowledge Transfer Methods, featuring Participatory and Interactive Techniques for enhanced engagement. Finally, participants will plan and present a Short Workshop on Crisis Response Guidelines, showcasing their skills and receiving feedback for refinement.
WE ARE (STILL) LOOKING FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR UPCOMING WEEK TWO!
We are looking for participants who are active youth workers in scouting organizations, whether as employees or volunteers, with a flair for education and communication. If you have hands-on experience in crisis response or are eager to dive into it, and you’re ready to tackle leadership challenges head-on, this workshop is for you. We seek individuals who are enthusiastic about mastering crisis management and effective communication while collaborating with fellow scouts to make a real impact in their organizations. And we still have spots for upcoming week two!
Through this project, we create and share crisis response guidelines and expand through co-created educational content. By connecting with national youth councils and the international scouting community, we present best practices and raise awareness about the importance of youth work.
Projects were funded by Erasmus+: Youth, Youth mobility and Mobility of youth workers.
