International cooperation and organisational development were at the centre of “Setting Sail for Strategic International Youth Work”, an international training held from 5–8 October 2026 in Ostend, Belgium, with 25 participants.
Among the trainers was Armin Cerkez, CEO of Youth Power, who represented Youth Power’s partner organisation, YEAH Youth Empowerment & Action Hub gGmbH, Germany.
Organised by JINT, the Belgian National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth, the training focused on strengthening the strategic dimension of international youth work and supporting organisations in developing sustainable approaches to European cooperation.
Through participatory learning, practical exercises and exchanges of professional experience, participants explored how international partnerships can contribute to organisational growth, stronger youth work practices and greater opportunities for young people.
Armin’s contribution as a trainer reflected the importance of experienced youth work practitioners in supporting professional learning, facilitating knowledge exchange and connecting non-formal education methodologies with organisational development.
For Youth Power, the training also demonstrates the value of cooperation between European youth organisations. Partnerships such as the one with YEAH provide opportunities to exchange expertise, strengthen professional networks and contribute to the development of innovative and inclusive youth work practices.
As youth work continues to respond to changing social realities, strategic international cooperation remains an important tool for strengthening organisational capacity and ensuring that young people benefit from accessible, high-quality and meaningful learning opportunities across Europe.
This training activity was organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, supporting international cooperation, professional development and quality improvement in youth work across Europe.
