A 7-day professional development training course equipping 32 youth workers from 8 countries with Nonviolent Communication and Playfight methodologies – to transform conflict and build inclusion with marginalised young people.
About this project
Transforming Conflict: Playfight and NVC was an Erasmus+ KA153-YOU training course by Synchro Foundation (Netherlands), bringing together 32 youth workers from 8 countries for seven intensive days at Olde Vechte in Ommen, Netherlands. It addressed the needs youth workers across Europe who lack effective, embodied tools for navigating conflict and building genuine inclusion – particularly when working with young people from marginalized or vulnerable backgrounds.
The training combined two methodologies never previously integrated in Erasmus+ youth work: Nonviolent Communication (NVC), which builds empathy and clarity of expression through observation, feeling, need, and request; and Playfight, a somatic self-development practice that uses conscious physical engagement to open emotional expression, build respect for boundaries, and transform conflict through the body. Together, they offer youth workers a holistic, innovative approach to conflict transformation.
What we delivered
One project, several layers
01
Co-designed the 7-day training programme integrating NVC theory with Playfight embodied practice
02
Wrote the Erasmus+ KA153-YOU project application and reported the project afterwards
03
Delivered NVC sessions: foundations, four-step model, NVC in mediation, NVC for personal, group, and societal conflict transformation
04
Co-facilitated trust-building, group dynamics, and reflection sessions throughout the training
05
Co-created a series of 8 videos on NVC and Playfight concepts
Methods used
The training used experiential learning as its core framework – participants first engaged with NVC and Playfight as personal practice before transferring the methods to their youth work contexts. A three-layer reflection system (individual, small group, large group) ran throughout each day, supported by an empathy buddy system and daily reflection circles.
The combination of NVC and Playfight is genuinely innovative – NVC addresses the verbal, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of conflict, while Playfight works through the body, offering a pre-verbal, somatic entry point for young people who struggle to express themselves through language. Together, they create a coherent, multi-dimensional toolkit for youth workers.
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Playfight & movement practice
Roleplay & simulation
Nonviolent communication (NVC)
Facilitation training
Group facilitation
Reflective practice
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Project partners
| Country | Organisation |
| Netherlands | Synchro Foundation |
| Bulgaria | Association Creatosphere |
| Czech Republic | Avatar 3000 |
| North Macedonia | Mirko Mileski |
| Romania | 16trees |
| Greece | Cecropia Hub |
| Latvia | Active Rainbow |
| Italy | New Wellness Education |
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Project Team
| NVC trainer & co-designer | Toni Lyubenova (Axolotl / Creatosphere) |
| Playfight trainer & co-designer | Elena Zanchetta |
| Project supervisor & coordinator | Cristina Pavel (Synchro Foundation) |
| Cook | Afroditi Varvara |
| Team | Michal Arad |
| Team | Goce Andonov |
| Team | Thais Morelli |
| Photographer & videographer | Mihail Mitevski |
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Deliverables
- 32 youth workers trained across 8 countries in the combined NVC and Playfight methodology
- 8 local follow-up events delivered using NVC and Playfight in participants’ home communities
- Playfight circles established in multiple countries where the methodology did not previously exist
- An educational video series on NVC and Playfight co-created with participants and published online
- 8 videos produced and shared across the partner network
- An empathy buddy network established among participants for ongoing peer support post-training
- Youthpass certificates issued documenting the non-formal learning outcomes of all participants
Inspired to try out nonviolent communication in your trainings?
Reach out and let’s talk about what we can create together!