Part I: “The Art of Holding Space for Others”
June 16-22, 2026 📍Ommen, the Netherlands
Part II: Practice
8 online sessions (dates to be announced)
Part III: “Systemic Education”
September 9 – 13, 2026 📍Ommen, the Netherlands
TRAINING COURSE FOR EDUCATORS, YOUTH WORKERS & FACILITATORS WHO WANT TO GAIN CONFIDENCE IN WORKING WITH GROUPS AND MASTER THE ART OF HOLDING INCLUSIVE SPACES FOR OTHERS
Dear Reader,
We are glad to invite you to join our 6-month learning journey, which will unlock your true power as a space holder! You will have the chance to learn new skills, practice & expand your confidence in the role of facilitator, and connect with like-minded colleagues from different European countries. We like to think the “Morphology of Connection” training course is an opportunity for you to take the next step in your career and craft your professional identity.
You are welcome to apply for the “Morphology of Connection” Program! We will read your application and inform you if you are selected to participate until the 15th of April 2026.
Structure of the Program
PART I: TRAINING “THE ART OF HOLDING SPACE FOR OTHERS”
June 16-22, 2026
📍Ommen, the Netherlands
In 7 exciting days, full of practice, exercises, and connection, you will expand your skills in relational literacy & emotional awareness. You will practice:
The program consists of 4 modules, named after 4 natural elements:
1) Module 1: Earth (pause)
🌱 Nervous system regulation
🌱 Zones of regulation
🌱 Recognising triggers and facilitating regulation
🌱Availability and presence
Module 2: Water (feel)
🌱 Active listening practices
🌱 Recognising emotions, feelings, and pseudo feelings (NVC framework)
🌱 Navigating conversations – conversational techniques and basic coaching
🌱 Reflecting on feelings and connecting them to needs (NVC)
Module 3: Fire (assertiveness and confrontation)
🌱 Recognising boundaries
🌱 Communicating clear boundaries
🌱 Formulating clear messages
🌱 Conflict resolution
Module 4: Air (integration and creativity)
🌱 Practice
🌱 Exchange of practices
🌱 Integration
PART II: ONLINE MODULE FOR MENTORING
July – August
Online, Zoom
The online module is designed to provide you with mentoring and support from experienced trainers as you practice your new skills and develop your personal project.
Yes, that’s correct! You will have a personal project to complete, related to your work as an educator, youth worker and\or facilitator of inclusive spaces.
You will choose your own personal project. It can be a workshop that you want to develop for your community, an improvement in your current work, or taking the next step in your job. Your personal project should have impact both on you as an individual and on your community.
It is expected that you, as an individual, after completing your personal project, will feel more confident in your profession and have more professional opportunities for development. You will perceieve improvement of the quality and impact of your work.
On a social level, your personal project should support others – the people you usually work with or the ones you dream of working with.
While working on your personal project, you will have 8 weekly sessions with our team, where you will receive guidance, new tools, and support.
PART III: TRAINING COURSE “SYSTEMIC EDUCATION”
September 9 – 13, 2026
📍Ommen, the Netherlands
During this 5-day training course, we will come together once again to unlock a new level of knowledge, learning about the Systemc approach in education & The Art of Hosting Practices.
You will learn:
🌱 Systemic skills: mapping personal, organisational, and community systems, identifying hidden dynamics, and recognising both visible and invisible roles.
🌱 Application of the 5R Model of Systems
🌱 Facilitation skills for group dynamics: how to “hold space” for groups with systemic awareness.
🌱 Conflict resolution and inclusion tools: by understanding systemic dynamics such as belonging and balance.
🌱 Hosting and participatory leadership: through practicing the Art of Hosting, you will strengthen your skills in facilitating inclusive spaces where dialogue, collaboration, and collective intelligence can emerge.
🌱 Strategic planning and integration: the closing sessions on harvesting insights and building long-term practice plans will
support you in developing practical strategies for applying systemic awareness to mentoring, local projects, and
organisational development.
Location of the Training courses
Both training courses will take place in the beautiful Dutch town Ommen (Netherlands). We will be hosted in the youth center house of the Olde Vechte Foundation, which is a home to dozens of trainings, youth exchanges and retreats every year.
The place allows you to connect to nature and be away from the noise of the city. Next to the house, there is a forest, where we could have daily walks and connection to nature. Near the house, there is also a river, where you can take a cold swim (if you are a fan).
The Location is very easy to reach and a 10-minute walk from the train station in Ommen.
You will be accommodated in shared rooms (2 or 3 persons per room). We will share common areas: co-working area, living room, cosy area, and dining area. Bathrooms and toilets are also shared.
The activities will take place in a spacious training room and also outside, if the weather allows.
Financial Agreements
This training course is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission.
The program covers your food, accommodation and transport.
We will ask you for a contribution fee of €90 that will be deducted from your travel reimbursement expenses (your real costs).
Your travel expenses will be reimbursed up to a certain amount, depending on the distance (see the table below). You will receive your travel reimbursement within a period of 2 months after the last implemented activity of the project.
You are welcome to apply for the “Morphology of Connection” Program! We will read your application and inform you if you are selected to participate until the 15th of April 2026.
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