Our TRAIL Towards Inclusive Learning in Portugal
In June 2024, a diverse group of participants from across Europe converged in the picturesque town of Peniche, Portugal, for an intensive, week-long training course. We were united by a single, powerful ambition: to design and develop truly inclusive mobility opportunities for adult learners facing disadvantages.
The following is a reflection on that transformative experience, capturing the key moments, shared discoveries, and the journey from initial ideas to tangible action.
The Foundation: Building a Community
The connection began even before we arrived in Portugal. Our initial online meeting brought together individuals who, though working with different disadvantaged target groups across Europe, faced the same crucial challenge: how to break down barriers and make learning mobility accessible to all adult learners. That first virtual gathering immediately sparked a supportive community, building a firm foundation of anticipation and camaraderie for our in-person training.
Once in Peniche, the positive energy was immediate. The organizers ensured a great start by clearly laying out the training program. The ice-breaker games were surprisingly effective, leading to instant connections and strong bonds among people who had just met. This early emphasis on connecting through shared, unexpected moments set a deeply collaborative tone for the rest of the course.
Stepping into Another’s Shoes: The Berlengas Excursion
On the second day, we ventured out to the stunning Berlengas island, a nearby natural reserve. This wasn’t just a scenic trip; it was a core part of our learning. We were tasked with imagining the experience through the eyes of our specific target groups.
This exercise forced us to deeply examine the realities of different challenges: what it truly means to navigate new places with a physical disability, the feelings of an older person on such an offer, or the essential considerations when planning mobility for those with mental health challenges. This immersive experience powerfully underscored our mission to forge equal opportunities in all learning mobility.
The Toolkit: Design Thinking and Team Spirit
Day three saw our fantastic organizational team equip us with the skills needed to move into solution-creation. We received a practical presentation on the Design Thinking methodology—a systematic, innovative process that gave us concrete steps for developing our ideas. We felt guided and supported as we began working in groups.
Our team leader/mentor was instrumental in fostering a strong team spirit. We spent valuable time bonding, sharing our past experiences working with disadvantaged groups, highlighting the unique skills each member brought, and reflecting on our own international learning journeys.
Our focus quickly narrowed to a shared goal: creating a learning mobility offer for people who have experienced trauma. We started by defining what “learning in mobility” meant to each of us, establishing a common understanding for our challenge. Our objective was clear: to design innovative formats that were developed not “exclusively for,” but “inclusively with” our target users.
Empathy in Action: Developing the Prototype
To ensure our solution was grounded in reality, we started by deeply understanding our target group’s needs. Tools like the Persona Canvas, Empathy Map, and Journey Map helped us create two fictional individuals with realistic names, jobs, families, and challenges. This made their “pain points” and their aspirations for a mobility offer incredibly tangible.
This foundation allowed us to transition into idea generation. By diligently moving through the various Design Thinking stages, we refined our initial concepts until we had a complete prototype—a tangible model representing our solution.
The final step was presentation. At the conference on Thursday, we had the chance to proudly showcase our inclusive idea and prototype to the wider audience. (You can view a video of our presentation here.)
Beyond the Classroom: Culture and Inspiration
Our learning experience also involved embracing local culture. We were deeply moved by a local migrant from Mozambique, who shared his life story and sang a beautiful, original song for us. We also tried our hand at typical Portuguese dances, connecting with the local community and traditions.
Adding further inspiration, a motivational guest speaker visited and shared the story of his team’s successful innovation: developing systems that allow physically disadvantaged people to surf. This powerful testimony reinforced the idea that no obstacle is too big to overcome when approached with creativity and determination.
In just under a week, we sharpened a variety of essential skills: applying problem-solving through Design Thinking, performing thorough needs assessment, practicing empathy, honing our active listening, creativity, and public speaking for effective group work. It was an intense, fruitful learning journey that firmly established the groundwork for continuing to make learning mobility accessible and creating equal opportunities for all.