The recent “Go Visual” training, held at the European Youth Education and Meeting Centre in Weimar, Germany, from 23 to 31 July 2024, brought together youth workers, educators, and creative professionals from across Europe for an intensive exploration of visual thinking. Over the course of eight days, participants discovered how to apply graphic facilitation techniques and visual storytelling tools in youth work contexts, revealing the power of visual methods to bridge communication gaps and enhance
engagement among young people. This project was born from the idea to empower youth workers, trainers, and educators to use interactive and creative methods in education and equip them with skills of graphic facilitation, visual thinking tools, graphic recording, and other tools of visualization in order to support & foster the educational process, empower youth motivation, ensure effective communication and increase learning results and addressing challenges such as intercultural dialogue, educational work with migrants and refugees, preventing bullying, hate speech and radicalization of young people and to develop critical thinking abilities as well as develop participants’ digital competences in visualization in order to address current demand for accessible and engaging digital solutions.
Objectives:
– To increase awareness and importance of the use of the visual thinking tools in education and youth work, and how to apply them to youth work and training;
-To learn basic elements of visual language and how to use it to create meanings and to develop your own visual library
-To explore sketch-noting & graphic recording techniques: to visualize and structure concepts and ideas in an easy and concise way
– To learn about various digital visual tools, which educators can use for engaging learning process with their target groups
– To learn how to stimulate critical thinking and creativity with visual thinking tools
The GoVisual project has a following structure:
TC1: Go Visual graphic, which will focus on visual thinking tools and graphic facilitation as well as using infographics and other visualization tools. Online module and local phase
TC2: Go Visual: Digital, which will focus on the usage of digital visual thinking methods in youth work
Upon arrival, participants were greeted by the light-filled training venue and the rich cultural heritage of Weimar, a city renowned for its contributions to the arts and literature. The training sessions began with introductions to simple drawing exercises and sketching fundamentals, dispelling the common misconception that only gifted individuals can produce effective visual representations. Skilled trainers emphasized that visual facilitation is less about artistic talent and more about clarity of communication, intentionality, and practical application. In the course of multiple workshops, participants learned how to visualize complex concepts, capture ideas during group discussions, and convey crucial information through a blend of hand-drawn images, text, and color cues. The concept of “graphic facilitation” proved particularly relevant in youth work settings: by mapping dialogues and action points in real time, educators can better sustain young people’s attention and ensure that key insights are retained. The shared experiences in Weimar demonstrated that even a basic knowledge of visual expression can significantly strengthen youth engagement and promote active learning.
Outside the formal sessions, participants took advantage of Weimar’s historical atmosphere to practice their skills in a more relaxed environment. Short walks around the city’s architecture and green spaces offered an opportunity to capture everyday scenes through quick sketches. These informal exercises provided a sense of camaraderie and motivated participants to remain open-minded about creative possibilities. Late afternoon discussions at local cafés often evolved into reflective exchanges on best practices, challenges, and the potential for integrating newly acquired tools into youth-oriented programs.The evenings further enriched the experience by allowing participants to share stories of their own local initiatives, exchanging strategies to foster young people’s participation and creativity. Group dinners, featuring both German cuisine and various national specialties, reinforced the importance of community-building across cultural lines. These spontaneous gatherings underlined the collaborative spirit of the training and helped participants envision how to incorporate visual methods into broader, more inclusive projects
The evenings further enriched the experience by allowing participants to share stories of their own local initiatives, exchanging strategies to foster young people’s participation and creativity. Group dinners, featuring both German cuisine and various national specialties, reinforced the importance of community-building across cultural lines. These spontaneous gatherings underlined the collaborative spirit of the training and helped participants envision how to incorporate visual methods into broader, more inclusive projects. On the final day, trainers underscored the need for sustained application of the competencies gained. Rather than viewing the training as a short-term event, participants were encouraged to see it as a catalyst for ongoing professional development. Each person departed with the understanding that the effectiveness of visual facilitation does not rely on perfect sketches, but on the willingness to continue practicing, experimenting, and adapting these methods for the benefit of the young people they serve. In conclusion, “Go Visual Graphic” succeeded in building a supportive network of educators committed to reinvigorating youth work with accessible visual tools. Through hands-on practice, reflective dialogue, and intercultural exchange, participants left Weimar inspired to use drawing and design to elevate the educational experiences of young learners in their communities. The legacy of this training will undoubtedly extend well beyond the walls of the meeting center, as newly formed collaborations and ideas begin to take shape in classrooms and youth organizations throughout Europe.
