We are chasing the last of the hot summer days in August, while also welcoming autumn. As we say goodbye to summer and welcome September, we also have to say goodbye to our volunteers and welcome a new generation. The last two months were filled with workshops, international projects and dedicated team volunteers, not to mention the many great moments we shared in the office.
In August, most of the volunteers left. Thank you all for everything you contributed to DRONI – we wish you all the best! It seems like they had an amazing experience in Georgia! Check their recap post out to read more about their time at DRONI.
At the same time, we are delighted to welcome a new generation of individual volunteers!
We hope it will be an amazing journey for everyone involved.
Some of us have already explored much of Tbilisi, and we can’t wait to discover more places and enjoy lots of khachapuri and khinkali! Overall, though, we are really looking forward to working at DRONI and implementing our own projects!
Click here to get to know our new volunteers!
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Local Events
→ Dissemination Workshop: “ReRooted”
On August 4th, a dissemination workshop for the project “ReRooted: Digital Detox, Nature Skills & Inclusion” took place in nature by Lisi Lake. The session began with icebreakers, a mood check-in, and a meditation to help participants connect with themselves and nature, followed by a discussion on the importance and impact of outdoor learning from an intrapersonal to a global level. After introducing Outward Bound, its history, values, and project experiences, the group engaged in a guided symbol drama session and explored various reflection tools used in non-formal education. Overall, the workshop was a great success, with active participants who shared that the experience helped them reconnect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of outdoor learning.
→ Art as a tool: “Creative Writing”
On Wednesday, August 5th, as part of the “Art as a Tool” workshop series facilitated by our French volunteer, we hosted the third and final session centered on creative writing at the Droni Office. During this two-hour workshop, participants explored the world of words and poetry, focusing on the link between the sound of words and their meanings. Guided by specific prompts that treated language almost like music, attendees crafted short texts in their languages of choice, discovering unexpected creative angles and new writing habits along the way.
→ Dissemination Workshop: “Rise up”, 14th August
Following the “Rise-Up” Youth Exchange in Antwerp, Belgium (July 1–11), where Droni members joined young people from across Europe, we held an interactive dissemination workshop. After sharing key insights and personal highlights from the exchange, participants took part in a fun creative challenge that turned everyday annoyances into innovative business ideas, unlocking fresh perspectives and lively discussions.
→ How well do you know your body? – Workshop, 8th September
On Tuesday, September 8th, we hosted a dedicated 1.5-hour workshop for women at the Droni Office focused on body awareness and understanding the menstrual cycle. To address the lack of societal awareness around bodily changes, the session combined educational basics with a meditative activity that helped participants connect with their bodies and inner sensations. It offered a safe, supportive space for young women to explore the transformations of female bodies and share their experiences together.
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Team volunteers’ adventures
New ESC team volunteers are in the place! Hailing from six different countries – Georgia, Finland, Romania, Spain, Austria, and Azerbaijan – they have gathered together in Tbilisi to support local community initiatives, gain intercultural experience, and collaborate on social impact projects. Read more about their 2 months volunteering adventure in the paragraphs below!
Click here to meet our new team volunteers
→ City tour in Tbilisi
Our Team volunteers began their journey in Georgia with an interesting city tour. The local volunteers showed them the old town, took them to sightseeing and helped them to get to know the culture. At the end of the tour they had a khinkali tasting and fell in love with the Georgian traditional food! Beyond exploring the city, the volunteers got a great opportunity to connect each other and build new friendships.
→ Escape room training
Our Erasmus+ and Team ESC volunteers took part in a 4-days training to create educational Escape Rooms. They learned about the structure of escape rooms, storyline development, and activity planning. This was good training before they started to do their own workshops and work with the Georgian youth.
→ Cultural Evening
On 9th September, as part of the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ programmes, our volunteers organised a Multicultural Evening. They prepared traditional food, introduced participants to local traditions and shared interesting facts. It was a really enjoyable evening for everyone involved!
→ Escape Rooms workshops, 3rd/ 7th/ 10th September
As part of an exciting educational project designed by our ESC volunteers, we hosted preparatory workshops on September 3rd to explore Sustainability, Critical Thinking, and Mental Health through interactive discussions and practical exercises. Building directly on those sessions, participants aged 16–30 gathered at the Droni Office on September 7th and 10th to tackle custom-designed Escape Rooms. Working in small teams, attendees solved puzzles and decoded clues tied to these core topics, combining teamwork and problem-solving into an immersive learning experience.
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International projects
→ Youth Exchange: “Earth’s Voice: Youth Gathers for a Greener Future”
From August 14 to 23, DRONI members joined youth from Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, and Morocco in Greece for the youth exchange “Earth’s Voice: Youth Gathers for a Greener Future”. Through non-formal education, debates, interactive games, and VR experiences, participants explored sustainability, climate justice, and their ecological footprints while learning to find practical solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Attendees also gained hands-on eco-friendly skills, such as making homemade toothpaste and bath bombs. They left inspired to advocate for sustainable change and take action to protect the planet.
→ Trainers’ Workshop in Poland
From August 24 – 29, DRONI representatives participated in the training course “TOP: Training Workshop for Preparation,” aimed at developing trainers’ skills and fostering a culture of readiness when working with young people. Combining theoretical knowledge with outdoor and practical methods, the training emphasized that preparation goes far beyond a first-aid kit. They focused on advance planning, anticipating challenges, self-regulation, and acting effectively in crisis situations. Real-life exchanges and meetings with mountain rescue teams and firefighters made the experience especially practical and meaningful for the participants.
→ Youth Exchange in Poland, 24th – 31th August
During the Youth Exchange “Less Means More: A Campaign for Conscious Consumption” in Poland, participants explored ways to promote sustainable living through discussions, teamwork, and content creation. Attendees produced educational videos and social media posts while actively engaging in intercultural learning, with Georgian participants sharing their traditional dances, food, and traditions during lively cultural evenings
→ Synergy, 21th – 26th September
During the Erasmus+ SYNERGY study visit to Moldova, DRONI and Tbilisi Youth Centre representatives explored effective practices to combat youth civic apathy. By engaging with local initiatives in Cahul, Valeni, and Chisinau, participants exchanged experience between Georgia and Moldova, focusing on community-driven approaches that empower young people to express their ideas and take active roles in decision-making.
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Thanks for reading DRONI Wrapped – August and September 2026! We hope you could gain some insights into the ongoing events at DRONI Youth Association and would love to see you soon at our upcoming activities. Follow our website and social media to always stay on top of what’s next!
If you have any feedback, questions or proposals for new workshops/events, we’ll be happy to hear from you! See you next month