Expanding the Perception Box

Day 1 – Introduction and Awareness of Perception
The first day focused on establishing the group connection and introducing the concept of perception.
After the check-in, the hosting team and trainers welcomed participants, presenting Gamma Institute and the structure of the training. Icebreakers and “knowing each other” activities helped participants connect and share expectations.
The trainers introduced the project framework and the Erasmus+ context, followed by the co-creation of group agreements.
In the afternoon, participants took part in an Organisations Fair, where they exchanged experiences and discovered each other’s professional backgrounds.
Later, the trainers introduced the concept of “The Perception Box” — a metaphor for the filters and patterns that limit or shape how we interpret reality.
The day concluded with reflection groups and an Intercultural Evening animated by participants from Romania, France, and Italy.

Day 2 – Heightened Awareness of Perceptual Filters
The second day explored how our senses, thoughts, and emotions filter information and influence our perception of others.
Participants began with grounding and sensory awareness exercises, focusing on how attention shifts between inner and outer experiences.
Through group work, they experimented with optical illusions, perspective games, and emotional perception exercises designed to reveal how quickly the mind interprets partial information.
In the afternoon, participants engaged in embodied learning activities that combined movement and dialogue to observe how perception changes under stress or within social interactions.
Discussions followed about bias, assumptions, and the importance of curiosity in youth work.

Day 3 – Perception and Communication
This day focused on how perception influences interpersonal communication.
Trainers facilitated the activity “What Do You Hear, What Do You See?”, exploring how tone, gesture, and body language can completely alter meaning.
Participants analyzed communication breakdowns and learned techniques to clarify messages, check assumptions, and build mutual understanding.
Through non-verbal communication games and reflection circles, they became more aware of how emotions and projections influence dialogue.
In the afternoon, small groups developed short scenes demonstrating miscommunication and perception gaps, followed by group analysis and peer feedback.

Day 4 – Expanding the Box
The fourth day was dedicated to developing flexibility and openness of perception.
Using experiential tools such as role exchange, movement improvisation, and systemic mapping, participants practiced observing from multiple perspectives and stepping outside their habitual viewpoints.
Exercises encouraged awareness of cultural frames and collective narratives that shape social identity.
In the second part of the day, participants created mini-workshops or activities that could be replicated with young people to promote inclusion, perspective-taking, and empathy.
Reflection circles allowed them to link insights to practical strategies for youth work.

Day 5 – Integration and Reflection
The final day focused on integration and evaluation.
Participants revisited key learning moments from the week, discussing personal changes in how they perceive themselves, others, and their work context.
Through visual and somatic reflection methods (drawing, movement, journaling), they summarized what “expanding perception” meant for their daily practice.
They finalized their Youthpass reflections, identifying competencies developed such as:
- self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- intercultural empathy
- communication and perception skills
- facilitation of reflective processes
The course ended with a Closing Circle, where participants expressed gratitude and shared a symbolic gesture representing how they will continue “expanding their perception box” in their future work.

Overall Impact
The “Expanding the Perception Box” training course enabled youth workers to recognize and question their perceptual filters, improving self-awareness and intercultural understanding.
Participants learned to use reflective, creative, and somatic tools to foster open-mindedness, empathy, and inclusive dialogue in their communities.
By combining systemic psychology, experiential learning, and non-formal education, the training strengthened participants’ ability to support young people in developing critical thinking and emotional resilience.