Trainers' Competence Development (TCD)

We support trainers in the youth field by helping them grow their competences, reflect on their practice, and strengthen the quality of the learning experiences they create. Our work is based on the belief that trainers need more than theories and facilitation techniques: they need a rich combination of attitudes, skills, behaviours, and knowledge that shape how they work with groups and how they shape their learning processes.

Our Activities for Trainers

We offer a range of learning opportunities for trainers, in cooperation with National Agencies and partners across Europe. 

These include:

  • TCD residential courses
  • Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes

These activities bring trainers together to explore and exchange practices in supportive, international learning environments.

Our Community for Trainers

Every two years, we co-organise Bridges for Trainers: a major gathering for the European trainer community. We shape the environment as a space for inspiration and exchange, and invite participants to explore the future of training in the youth field together. A key part of the programme is shaped directly by the participants: they facilitate their own sessions, share their expertise, and offer spaces for collaboration. Their contributions are what make each edition unique.

 

 

TCD Model
The Competence Model for Trainers (TCD)
A key tool in this work is the TCD Competence Model, which helps trainers understand their role, plan their development, and reflect on the competences needed when working in international youth work. It offers a clear structure for exploring your strengths and learning needs, and it guides many of our learning activities.
Explore the interactive competence wheel!
Use the educational materials
To help you bring the TCD approach into your everyday work, we provide posters, handouts and other learning materials. These resources make it easy to integrate the competence model into your training, team development, or personal learning practice.
Explore more resources, tools, and guidance for trainers!
tcd laptop