Creativity, visuals, and collaboration – these three elements best capture the atmosphere of the Erasmus+ Visual Vibes course, which brought together participants from different parts of Europe to explore how visualization can support education, communication, and personal development.

The training took place in Osieck from August 9–17, 2025, and was organized by YoWo Poland. It wasn’t the first time Osieck became a space for intensive learning and exchange of experiences. A few months earlier, the Faciliteasy project had taken place there, during which young educators and trainers delved into the topics of facilitation, educational process design, and delivering their own workshops. This time, we focused on the role of visuals in group work and explored how visualization can support education and collaboration. For over a week, we worked surrounded by nature, learning the tools of graphic facilitation and testing them in practice.

The beginning – getting to know each other and the topic

The first days of Visual Vibes were dedicated to integration and team building. Thanks to simple yet engaging activities such as Walk & Talk and the 30 Circles Challenge, we could get to know each other better and immediately enter a creative atmosphere.

Equally important was creating shared rules of cooperation – so that everyone felt safe, could experiment, and share their ideas. From the very beginning, it was not only about learning new tools, but also about building a space for collaboration.

The process – intensive learning and practice

The core part of the training was devoted to exploring and developing the tools of graphic facilitation. We began with the basics – simple lines, shapes, and icons, which we gradually combined into more complex compositions. We learned how to build our own “visual vocabulary” that makes it easier to capture ideas quickly and clearly, and how to use colors, symbols, and layout to strengthen our messages.

The next step was designing templates – visual structures that help organize content when working with groups. We discovered how much the organization of space matters – from simple tables and timelines to more creative maps or metaphorical images.

One of the most exciting challenges was graphic recording – capturing speeches and discussions in real time through drawing. This task required not only drawing skills, but above all quick decision-making and the courage to trust our intuition. Many of us realized that drawing can be like dancing – seemingly chaotic, yet full of rhythm and meaning.

The workshops were led by Helena Podlešáková Leszczyńska and Urszula Leszczyńska, who guided us step by step into the world of graphic facilitation, combining theory with practice in an inspiring and energetic way. The overall coordination was ensured by Amelia Rosiak, who made sure that every aspect of the project – from the program to the daily organization – ran smoothly and in a welcoming atmosphere.

There were also plenty of exercises that combined learning with fun – from individual trials to dynamic group activities. This variety allowed everyone to find their own style while also being inspired by the creativity of others.

The conclusion – reflection and looking ahead

The final days of the project were devoted to summaries and practical presentations. Participants prepared their own projects, shared experiences, and reflected on how to apply the new skills in their professional work and social activities.

It was also a moment to discuss opportunities within Erasmus+ and to make plans for future cooperation. For many, the training became a starting point for further growth and for deepening competences in the field of non-formal education.

My reflection

I left Osieck with new skills that I will certainly use in the future, but above all with a sense of community and inspiration. Visual Vibes showed me that visuals truly have the power to connect people across languages and cultures.

For me, Visual Vibes was more than just a training. It was a journey through creativity, collaboration, and the courage to express ideas through images. I realized that graphic facilitation is not about creating perfect drawings – the most important thing is to communicate clearly, simply, and engagingly.

The Erasmus+ Training Course “Visual Vibes” was funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.

This article was written by Hanna Zajączkowska, participant of “Visual Vibes”.