What happened?
On 7 and 8 May, the German TOT training of the Participa City took place in Göttingen, bringing participants through the full learning pathway of the programme. The training combined an online introduction phase, two days of face-to-face training, and three follow-up sessions to support participants in their role as active facilitators of Participa City game.
How was it organized?
The TOT in Göttingen supported participants step by step in becoming confident future trainers of the Participa City simulation game. The online introduction helped build a shared conceptual basis, giving participants the opportunity to understand the project’s objectives, the educational approach behind the game, and the importance of anti-discrimination learning. The face-to-face training then deepened this foundation through direct experience, reflection, and practice, allowing participants to explore how to facilitate the game in a safe, respectful, and inclusive way.
During the first face-to-face day, participants played the Participa City game and experienced the method from within, while the second day focused on the trainer’s role — especially how to guide the game, create a safe learning environment, and support reflection.
What was the focus?
A central focus of the training was the development of key trainer competences across three phases:
- building critical awareness and conceptual foundations
- strengthening facilitation and conflict management skills
- supporting transfer into real training contexts.
By the end of the programme, participants were expected to not only understand the Participa City methodology, but also to adapt it for different target groups, guide sensitive discussions with confidence, and conduct reflective debriefings that encourage learning and personal growth.