When a young person is struggling, what do you do? In the moment, the question is rarely simple. A panic attack during an activity, a young person talking about self-harm, someone breaking down, or simply a person who feels lost and overwhelmed and no longer knows where to start. Handling psychological distress in a young person is not something you improvise. And a number of us who work with young people were never really taught how to react in those moments or, at the very least, a refresher would not hurt.
What it is about
Calm in Chaos is an international Erasmus+ training course organised by the Slovenian association DIVJA. It runs from 12 to 21 October 2026 in Apače, Slovenia, in an ecological village in the middle of nature. The title says it well: learning to stay calm, grounded and steady when everything around you is going sideways, and knowing how to support a young person in distress without burning out or feeling helpless. You will find all the practical information in the info-pack available for download.
The training starts from something many people recognise. Indeed, youth workers are often the first people a young person turns to in a difficult moment. That is a position of trust. And it is also a responsibility we are not always prepared for. This is why Calm in Chaos provides concrete tools for handling psychological distress, supporting wellbeing and creating safe spaces, while taking care of your own resilience.
Who this training is for
The training is for youth workers in the broad sense: animators, trainers, facilitators, mentors, educators and volunteers who work with young people on a daily basis. You need to be 18 or older, with no upper age limit. You also need to be able to follow in English, which is the working language of the training.
This is for you if you are looking for practical tools to better support young people in difficult situations, if questions of mental health, wellbeing and safe spaces speak to you, or if you are curious about non-formal education methods such as simulations, role plays, mindfulness and reflective practices. It is also for you if you want to explore your own resilience and your ability to regulate your emotions. Finally, it is for you if you want to bring concrete things back to your work and your local community. One core requirement: being ready to take part fully and to commit for the whole duration.
This training is aimed first and foremost at people with fewer opportunities. By this, Erasmus+ means those who face obstacles of an economic, social or geographical nature, or obstacles linked to health, disability, life circumstances or other situations that make access to this kind of experience more difficult. So if you recognise yourself in this description, your application is especially welcome.
Handling psychological distress: what you learn during the training
The programme covers the basic principles of psychosocial support and psychological first aid. You work on how to react when a young person is in distress, on reading body language and micro-signals in crisis situations, on communicating in difficult conversations, and on the concrete tools that help create psychological safety. One part is devoted to mindfulness and self-regulation techniques, as well as to burnout prevention and building your own resilience. Indeed, you cannot support others over the long term if you are not standing steady yourself. Finally, the programme looks at how to pass all of this on afterwards in your own community.
All of this happens through practice rather than theory. For example, crisis simulations inspired by real situations from youth work, role plays, communication labs, nonviolent communication, nature-based wellbeing practices, and evening sharing circles around the fire. And all of it within an international community of youth workers from several European countries.
The setting
The training takes place in the village of Apače. Accommodation is in a building made from natural materials, in rooms for two or three people. And for those who wish, it is also possible to sleep in a tent. Meals are vegetarian and vegan, the water comes from the spring, and there is a lake and a sauna to relax. In October, temperatures in Slovenia usually range between 5 and 20 degrees. So bring warm clothing.
The practical side
This is an Erasmus+ project, which means that the European Union covers most of the costs. It covers accommodation, meals and drinks in Apače, as well as the materials for the activities. It also reimburses travel costs up to a ceiling set for each country. These ceilings range from 56 euros for Slovenia to 417 euros for the countries furthest away, and the plane is only allowed for participants from Belgium. Check the info-pack for the ceiling that applies to your country.
Arrival is on 11 October 2026. The programme then starts on the morning of the 12th, and departure is planned around midday on 21 October. For those coming by public transport, the meeting point is the Maribor train station. Beyond that, attention is given to greener modes of transport whenever possible.
How to apply
Four places are open for each participating country: Slovenia, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Hungary and Romania, which makes 24 participants in total. Think about applying before 31 July. The final selection will be communicated by the end of August 2026 at the latest.
Have a look at the full info-pack. The link to the application form can be found there.
A question before you take the leap? Contact Iva Hari by email or via WhatsApp (see the info-pack).
