Strengthening Leadership and Conflict Management Skills Among Youth Workers

On 7 March, 20 youth workers from across Georgia gathered in Tbilisi for a training titled “Foundations of Effective Leadership and Conflict Management.” The event aimed to support youth workers who work with vulnerable young people by strengthening their leadership skills and providing practical tools to better manage conflicts in their daily work.
The training was organized by Action Against Hunger in partnership with the Youth Agency of Georgia, within the framework of the “Youth Employability Skills” project funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.
During the training the participants were guided through discussions on different leadership styles and what it means to be an effective leader when working with young people. They also explored the causes of conflict, the ways conflicts can arise in youth work, and how constructive communication and active listening can help address these situations more effectively.
The sessions were led by trainer David Kelenjeridze, together with youth worker and trainer Salome Leladze, and they combined presentations with group discussions and practical exercises, giving participants the opportunity to share their own experiences and reflect on the challenges they encounter in their work.
The training was also a follow-up activity to a previous training on Social Inclusion Approaches, including the Shuttle Methodology, and a study visit to Spain organized by Action Against Hunger. David Kelenjeridze had participated in those activities and was now sharing the knowledge and skills gained with other youth workers.
Reflecting on this experience, he explained that taking part in the project had a strong impact on him both personally and professionally. “Being trained through the ‘Youth Employability Skills’ project was a very valuable experience for me, because it not only strengthened my own employability and training skills but also helped me better understand the challenges young people face when entering the job market,” he said. “Now, having the opportunity to pass this knowledge on to others feels very meaningful and empowering.”
He also emphasized how important it is to keep sharing what has been learned. According to him, the real value of initiatives like this lies in their ability to reach more people over time. “When trained participants share what they learned with others, it creates a multiplier effect. More young people gain access to valuable skills, communities become more informed and capable, and the long-term impact of the project grows significantly,” he added.
By encouraging participants to further share the knowledge and skills they gain, the initiative helps strengthen youth work practices and supports the creation of more opportunities for vulnerable young people across Georgia.