TC EQ Effect
The EQ Effect: How We Trained Emotional Intelligence in Recoaro Terme, Italy
From July 16 to 23, 2026, the small Italian spa town of Recoaro Terme, famous for
its mineral springs.
In the historic setting of Hotel Trettenero, we
met with other youth workers from across Europe to jointly develop skills that are
crucial for working with the new generation in today’s world.
The Journey to Emotional Intelligence and Inclusion
Main goal was to equip us with competences in emotional intelligence
(EQ), effective communication, and conflict management. These tools are
designed to help us create safe and inclusive spaces, support disadvantaged youth,
and prevent radicalization through meaningful youth participation.
The seven-day program was built on a dynamic rotation of workshops, lectures,
and practical exercises. We were guided through the process by a pair of
trainers a married couple from Hungary. Topics such as the theory and practice of
mediation, overcoming communication barriers, and using theatre to improve EQ
helped us better understand the connection between emotions and our daily lives
and work.
Sharing Experiences as Inspiration
One of the most powerful moments of the course was the Open Space method
which allowed us to share our own practices and professional experiences. This
mutual enrichment and the search for innovative approaches to the inclusion of
marginalized youth were among the key objectives of the training. Two of us from
Slovakia participated, which gave us a fantastic opportunity to establish contacts for
future cooperation and bring new ideas back to our local communities.
Getting to Know Each Other Beyond Formalities
In addition to the intensive education, there was plenty of space for building informal
relationships. On the very first evening, we held a multicultural dinner where every
participant brought a small typical treat from their country to share. Other evenings
were filled with karaoke singing, long conversations, or group walks into town, where
we had the chance to soak up the atmosphere and meet the locals.
Our free day was an unforgettable experience that we utilized to the fullest. Since
Recoaro Terme is located in the heart of the beautiful nature of the Vicenza
province, we managed to hike one of the trails in the Dolomites, which provided us
with fresh energy for the remaining workshop days.
What Are We Bringing Home?
We are returning home not only with a Youthpass certificate, but, above all, with
practical tools and the motivation to continue our work with youth. Our goal now is to
transform the knowledge we gained into concrete activities that will help create more
inclusive and resilient environments for young people in Slovakia.
This training course was co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, reminding us of the
vast opportunities this program offers for professional development and social
inclusion across Europe.
