At the turn of October to November, we welcomed 26 youth workers, educators, activists, and community leaders from across Europe to our Erasmus+ training course “Let’s talk about Group Facilitation” in a seminar house in Grillenburg, immersed in the beautiful forest of Tharandt near Dresden. Over five days, we explored a variety of facilitation practices inspired by IIFACE, combining them with morning embodied practices, experiential sessions, reflective practices, and creative elements.

We began the week by “creating the vessel,” a process meant to help us arrive together, meet one another, and lay the foundations for a safe learning space. Getting-to-know-youself activities, such as the Bus Methodology form GTDF, active listening exercises based on the 4 fields of listening from U Theory, grounding exercises, and our first morning circle, helped to start shaping common ground on how we wanted to live this experience together; the group quickly developed a warm and caring atmosphere that carried us through the week. At the end of the day, participants had time to share their expectations, fears, and talents they could use and share during the week. The day ended with a feedback and meta-analysis session and with the creation of the Homegroups, small groups to share feelings and reflect on the learnings of the day.

The following days focused on core facilitation themes. During the sessions on “What is facilitation and why does it matter?”, participants explored roles, group dynamics, and the difference between a facilitator and a leader. We reflected on the Results-People-Processes Triangle and where we usually put the most focus on while working in groups, and experience the interconnectedness of all living systems with the System game. That opened the doors to dig deeper into what systemic facilitation means and what the key elements of it. The last session of the day was focusing on exploring a methodology called Forum Zegg. Forum is a special kind of communication process. It is a creative way for a group with a common vision and value system to create a safe space where members can share with the group in such a way that the consciousness of both the individual and the collective is raised. Awareness was brought on how this tool can serve facilitators to experience The Field, and experience exposure in a safe way.

Inquiry was a central theme of the third day. Through guided questioning exercises, reflective dialogues, and paired listening practices, participants explored the power of asking meaningful questions. We explored together the Cahordic space, at the intersection between chaos and order, where creativity can emerge and not get lost.
The group experimented with the different phases of inquiry: divergence, emergence, and convergence, and discovered different methods to support this research for answers or solutions within a group. For several participants, this day was a highlight, offering practical tools and new perspectives on communication.

The Open Space sessions on the fourth and fifth day encouraged participants to take ownership of their learning. Anyone could propose a topic, and the group created a self-organized programme of discussions ranging from communication and conflict management in intercultural settings, inclusive practices, and active listening exercises, grassroots activism, and mind-behaviour obstacles in change-making. This day revealed the creativity and expertise within the group, and many appreciated the freedom to follow their curiosity.

The communication session on day five brought us into the U Theory of Otto Kramen, playfully exploring the 4 levels of listening and understanding, Downloading, Debate, Dialogue, and Presencing.
As a closing practice, we also experienced Withhold-sharing, a tool that fosters the conscious sharing of deliberately holding back information, feelings, or experiences from others.

Emotional intensity showed up throughout the training, and several participants expressed that they would have appreciated more grounding practices and stronger emotional containment. These insights generated valuable dialogue about what emotional safety looks like and how facilitators can model co-regulation.

Alongside the facilitated sessions, the rhythm of the week was shaped by morning routines, shared meals, informal games, creative visuals, and plenty of care practices. The home groups became small islands of trust, offering space for shared reflection, laughter, and mutual support.

As the week progressed, the group grew more open in sharing needs, concerns, and ideas for improvement. Several participants expressed a strong wish for more co-facilitation, clearer communication of the daily flow, and a more collaborative design process. These conversations naturally evolved into a vision for future editions: a training with clearer structure, more shared facilitation, and a learning environment that integrates inclusion, diversity, and accessibility not only in theory but also in daily practice.

Despite the challenges and moments of tension, the learning was rich and authentic. Participants left with practical tools, games, creative methods, inquiry techniques, and insights into their own facilitation styles. Many spoke about new friendships, renewed inspiration, and motivation to bring more participatory and real-life-related elements into their work. Critical voices, too, were welcomed as part of the collective learning: a reminder that facilitation is not only about harmony, but also about navigating complexity together.

We want to express deep gratitude to the people who held and enriched the space around the learning: to trainer Luis Álvarez for his presence and dedication; to Henry for his thoughtful and creative graphic facilitation; to Flor, who provided attentive inclusion support; and to our wonderful chefs, who nourished us every day with delicious vegan food and made the group feel genuinely cared for. Their contributions shaped the experience just as much as the sessions themselves.

We are deeply grateful to all participants for their engagement, vulnerability, and commitment to learning. With the support of the Erasmus+ programme, “The Group Facilitation Path” continues as a shared journey, one that grows through each experience, each challenge, and each voice that joins the circle.