Between mid-October and late November, partners within the INCiTiS-FOOD project organised a series of confidence-building workshops aimed at strengthening participation and visibility among women and young people involved in the Living Labs. The series consisted of four sessions, each focusing on different aspects of personal and professional development, including self-awareness, communication, trust-building, and mentorship.
Delivered through interactive discussions and practical examples, the workshops brought together individuals from different backgrounds and roles within the project. While the initial blog post introduced the structure and objectives of the series, the reflections shared by those involved offer a closer look at how these sessions were experienced in practice.
Understanding Yourself and Building Confidence
One of the recurring themes across the feedback was the importance of self-awareness. Several contributors highlighted how taking time to reflect on their own strengths, weaknesses, and behaviours helped them better understand their role in both professional and community settings.
As noted by contributors such as Mohamadou Aliyatou and Kum Polycarp Chu, the sessions encouraged a more structured approach to self-reflection, including the use of tools such as SWOT analysis. This process helped individuals recognise areas for growth while also building confidence in their existing skills. For some, this shift in perspective made it easier to approach challenges without fear of making mistakes, focusing instead on learning and improvement.
Communication and Trust in Practice
Communication was another area that stood out strongly in the feedback. Attendees reflected on how communication goes beyond speaking, involving active listening, body language, and the ability to respond effectively. The importance of feedback was particularly emphasised, as it helps ensure that messages are clearly understood and encourages more meaningful interaction.
Trust-building was closely linked to this. One contributor shared a particularly impactful example of rebuilding trust within a farming community after a failed intervention. By openly addressing the issue, taking responsibility, and working directly with community members to provide better solutions, trust was gradually restored. This example resonated with others, highlighting how transparency and accountability can strengthen relationships in both professional and local contexts.
Mentorship and Support Systems
The sessions on mentorship and coaching also left a strong impression. Many of those involved described mentorship not only as professional guidance but as a broader support system that can influence both personal and career development.
For some, these discussions connected directly with their own experiences. The idea that guidance can come through both formal mentoring relationships and informal, community-based learning was widely recognised. In particular, references to traditional forms of mentorship, where knowledge is passed down through storytelling and shared experience, added another layer to how mentorship is understood in different contexts.
At the same time, several contributors expressed a willingness to take on mentoring roles themselves in the future, suggesting that the workshops helped shift their perspective from receiving guidance to also providing it.
Challenges and Learning in Practice
Alongside the positive experiences, attendees also noted some practical challenges. Online participation, particularly issues with internet connectivity, made it difficult at times to fully engage in the sessions. Despite this, those involved found ways to stay engaged by reviewing materials after each session and using chat-based interactions when live participation was limited.
This reflects a broader reality of working across different regions and conditions, where flexibility and adaptability are often necessary. The supportive environment created by facilitators played an important role here, encouraging continued participation despite these challenges.
Why the Experience Mattered
Overall, many attendees described the workshops as having a noticeable impact on their confidence and approach to communication and leadership. Several reported feeling more prepared to engage in meetings, community interactions, and project-related activities with greater clarity and assurance.
Beyond individual skills, the experience also contributed to a stronger sense of connection and shared learning. Those involved not only gained new knowledge but also learned from each other’s experiences, creating a space where different perspectives could be exchanged openly.
Many also emphasised that they would recommend similar workshops to others in their networks, particularly those looking to build confidence, improve communication skills, or strengthen their professional presence.
Looking Ahead
At INCiTiS-FOOD, the inclusion of women and young people remains an important part of ongoing activities across the project. Through its Living Labs, INCiTiS-FOOD continues to involve diverse groups in the development and testing of sustainable food system solutions.
The Confidence-building Workshop series provides a practical example of how this approach is applied, not only by introducing new knowledge but by creating space for reflection, exchange, and gradual personal development. These experiences show how participation can be strengthened over time, contributing to more inclusive and engaged communities within the project.
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