Over the five days a range of areas essential to effective facilitation and good group management are introduced and practised. The workshop is participatory, with frequent opportunities for applying the tools.

The exact contents of the training are fine-tuned in response participants' needs and daily feedback. Key areas covered include essential theoretical aspects such as:

• The 'What and Why' of Facilitation
• The Role and Qualities of a Facilitator
• Harnessing Group Potential
• Adult Learning
• The Dynamics of Group Decision-making
• Principles for Building / Facilitating Sustainable Agreements

During the course, participants learn and practise:

• Facilitation tools such as Brainstorming, Buzz Groups, Focus Group Discussion, Obstacle Analysis and Solution Matrix
• Facilitation techniques such as card collection, brainstorming, group formation, case studies and field visits
• Facilitative listening skills / techniques for honouring all points of view (diverse communication styles, paraphrasing, drawing people out, mirroring and encouraging)
• How to design the facilitation session / event
• How to use energisers and icebreakers