Training course „Critical Thinking Skills” will take place in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. 32 youth workers from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Spain, Saint Martin, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, North Macedonia and Croatia will participate. The project duration is from 01.01.'19 till 31.07.'19, including days of program activities (4-12 May '19). The main topic of the project is related to the development of critical thinking in young people. The project responds directly to one of the main challenges Europe faces regarding the youth - nearly one fifth of the young generation doesn’t possess the needed basic and fundamental skills, taking into account their importance with regards to their future employment and social inclusion. In the European key competences framework for lifelong learning skills are identified that are a prerequisite for personal development, active citizenship, social inclusion and employability. Besides “traditional” competences it includes communication in mother tongue, communication in foreign languages, digital competences and IT, and also skills of a transversal nature like learning to learn, social and civic competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, cultural awareness and expression. Considering the importance of these fundamental skills with regards to future employment, social inclusion and lifelong learning, The Council of Europe takes as criteria the share of young people whose basic skills are assessed as “poor” to be below 15% by 2020. In that aspect the European Commission states as significant the development and assessment of “horizontal competences” related to critical thinking, creativity, sense of initiative, problem solving, decision making and communication. It is precisely the development of these competences the current project undertakes. The main goal of the project is to build critical thought in the participants aimed at developing cognitive skills for improving various personal and professional qualities. Also create an entirely new view for organizing and planning activities, problem solving, decision making based on proper arguments, applying common sense, mental discipline, sense of initiative, interpretation, communication, analyzing and assessing the thoughts, drawing conclusions, self-regulation, self-assessment all of which are related to successful social and professional development. All activities and methods will contribute to the process of non-formal learning and creating long-lasting understanding of the concepts, as well as sustainable motivation for applying of what is learnt and shared. The program methods follow the “learning through experience” model – debates, simulations, energizers, ice-breakers, communication games, learning and sharing activities, gamification, LEGO serious play, group discussions, coaching sessions, open space, etc. By means of debriefing in-depth learning and understanding of the subject matter will be ensured. Application process is running till 22nd of March '19. Apply here: https://goo.gl/forms/He8TgrRh59cjOnvZ2