A Journey of Community Engagement in Rzeszów: Erasmus+ Training Course

In the last week of June, a diverse group from Hungary, Czechia, Ukraine, and Poland gathered in Rzeszów, Poland, for an enriching training course focused on deepening their understanding of community engagement.

The first day was all about getting to know each other and the surroundings. Participants played dynamic games and activities, fostering connections that would last throughout the week. A city tour introduced the visitors to Polish culture and the rich history of Rzeszów.

On the second day, the group arrived at the workshop location and was greeted by a large blank paper with the word “Community” written on it. Their task was to fill the paper with their definitions of community, setting the stage for the day’s discussions. This activity highlighted how different backgrounds and perspectives influence the understanding of community, while also revealing commonalities. Despite differences in identity, culture, and abilities, participants recognized that community fundamentally connects people. They discussed and analyzed various community issues and how to address them.

In the afternoon, INPRO hosted an Open Mic session where participants shared their perspectives on community engagement in a guided conversation. They also exchanged details about their own communities and cultures.

Wednesday featured a workshop led by INPRO volunteer Mariem on the importance of content and social media in community engagement. Through various activities, participants tapped into their creativity and learned to adapt their messages using different mediums and creative constraints.

In the evening, participants joined INPRO’s most successful event, Open Cafe, engaging with the Rzeszów community in a discussion on the topic of regret. One participant noted that the topic was perfect, as they would have regretted not participating in this training course.

On the fourth day, the group tackled a workshop that challenged their adaptability. They created their NGOs and developed them through major changes, such as team member swaps and situational impacts on the NGO’s purpose and impact. After overcoming these challenges and seeing their organizations come to fruition, participants debated the values that build and solidify communities, sharing personal experiences and outlooks on life. After lunch, it was time to stop talking and start acting. The group embarked on a scavenger hunt, interacting with community members and engaging in conversations to complete their tasks. One task involved making a commercial for a new city initiative, revealing some participants’ hidden acting talents.

On the final day, the group ventured to Łańcut. After enjoying the historical beauty of its castle, they gathered in the garden for a closing activity. They evaluated the overall experience and, through a dynamic game, expressed the qualities in each other that stood out during the week. 

This training course not only deepened participants’ understanding of community engagement but also forged lasting connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared goal of making a positive impact in their communities.