From 19th to 24th September 2023, an enriching Social Impact Consultancy Training session unfolded in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. This event marked a significant milestone in our project’s journey, bringing together twenty-eight young leaders from sixteen different countries. These representatives from WOSM and YMCA member organisations embarked on a comprehensive five-day training program.

The training was meticulously designed to cover a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge essential for consultancy in the social impact area. Participants delved into various social research methods and learned about the MIYO data collection and analysis toolkit. Moreover, the training emphasised the development of crucial soft skills needed in consultancy work, such as negotiation, conflict resolution, and crisis management.

Our unique approach employed non-formal education techniques, allowing participants to actively engage with a range of topics, including:

• DISC
• Presuppositions
• The Art of Asking Great Questions
• Logical Levels
• Motivational Interviewing
• Coaching
• Change Management
• Organisational Culture
• Introduction to Social Research Methods
• MIYO Impact Measurement Toolkit

By the conclusion of the training, these young leaders were thoroughly equipped to plan and conduct impact assessment studies in youth work contexts. They gained expertise in primary data collection through surveys and focus group interviews, using various random and non-random sampling methods. Additionally, the training enhanced their abilities to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, with tools like a focus group analysis guide and a custom Excel template.

This Consultancy Training is a part of the Third Phase of the MIYO Project. It builds upon the first version of our methodology, already developed and tested by three member organisations. The insights and feedback from this training will lead to further refinements and adjustments to our toolkit.

For a detailed insight into this training and its outcomes, we invite you to explore the summary report here.