When arranging training, it has proven important to inform organizers of the following:
Travel expenses and fees
• As a general rule, we believe that training should not be prevented by financial constraints. However, organizers should at least cover travel expenses.
• Trainers and the skills for action network appreciate fees/expense allowances, although these may depend on the financial resources of the organizers.
• Organizers with more resources are asked to consider covering the trainers‘ travel expenses.
• Trainers and the skills for action network appreciate fees/expense allowances, although these may depend on the financial resources of the organizers. We ask organizers with more resources to pay a fee, while we may help small, self-organized groups to apply for funding.
• The amount of a fee must be negotiated in each case. For a three-hour training session, the usual fee in Germany is €150 to €200 and in Austria up to €250.
• The amount of the fee must be negotiated in each case. For a three-hour training session, €150 to €200 is customary in Germany and up to €250 in Austria.
Announcement
• The announcement of a training session should always be made in consultation with the trainers so that nothing incorrect is announced, leading to unfulfillable expectations or even repression against the organizers and/or trainers.
• It is particularly important to us that the duration of the training session is announced so that participants can set aside time for the entire training session. For various reasons, it does not make sense for people to only participate in part of the training session and either arrive later or leave earlier – this should be explicitly stated in the announcement!
Space and materials
• A suitable room is crucial for training sessions. For practical exercises, this room must be large enough to accommodate the expected number of participants. In addition to seating, the room must have a free or clearable area where it is possible to move around.
• If the temperature and weather conditions are suitable, the practical part of the training program (and, if agreed, the entire training course) can be held outdoors, e.g., in a quiet park.
• Flipcharts or pinboards are useful but not necessary, provided that posters and notes can be hung on the walls of the room.
• If organizers are unsure whether their premises are suitable, they should check with the trainers.
Duration and content
• Depending on the content, training sessions can last from three hours to several days. The basic action training course introducing blockades lasts 3-4 hours in a shorter version and 5- 6 hours in a longer version. Depending on the length of the training, content is covered in greater depth or omitted.
• We do not usually offer training sessions of less than 3 hours, as it is hardly possible to exchange experiences, convey content, and practice in such a short time.
• We are generally happy to adapt the training content to the needs and contexts of the organizers. To do this, the trainers must be clearly informed in advance of the wishes, needs, and expectations.
• As a general rule, basic action training is not an informational event onmobilization or a specific topic, nor is it a detailed legal aid workshop and cannot replace them! Nevertheless, upcoming actions can be discussed in a training session if it makes sense within the training framework.
Concrete agreements that already exist for an action (action consensus, spokesperson council structure, etc.) are even important to present and discuss in the training session.