Training for mentors of At the School of Open Cohesion programme: Communicating the effects of cohesion policy

The EU House hosted a training event for the mentors taking part in At the School of Open Cohesion programme in the 2024-2025 school year. The event was organised for the mentors that will carry out programme activities and raise awareness of the importance of cohesion policy among young people. 

The lecturers first focused on the concept of cohesion, explaining it in detail. The participants got to know what cohesion policy is all about. They learned what impact it has on the development of different regions and strengthening of social, territorial and economic cohesion across the EU.

The discussion that followed put a spotlight on the importance of communicating the effects of cohesion policy. The mentors learned about the key tools and methods they can use for storytelling and communicating the results of cohesion policy to the general public, especially young people. The lecturers emphasised that understandable and attractive communication strategies were essential to increase the visibility of cohesion policy and its achievements.

The participants learned more about the work programme for the school year, including the requirements they needed to fulfil as mentors. They discussed how best to draw up the curriculum and how to engage pupils so that they take active part in learning about cohesion policy and communicating cohesion policy. 

The mentors also learned more about supporting materials they would be able to use and the ongoing projects that could be part of the teaching and learning activities. Many successful past projects that were labelled good practices were presented. The mentors got to know more about the projects that made a real change in the local environment.

A Q&A session and networking followed the presentations to help the mentors share experience and gain valuable information for a successful implementation of the programme.

The event allowed the mentors to gain new skills that will help them run At the School of Open Cohesion programme and better communicate cohesion policy to young people with the goal of enabling young people to better understand the policy and its many positive effects.