Enhancing skills in training design, facilitation, and effective delivery
As part of the BURUDIGI – Empowering Burundians with Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills project, a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop was successfully conducted on March 18–19, 2026, at the BBIN Center in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The two-day training was delivered by Ms. Alemfrie Derese and focused on strengthening the capacity of local trainers and curriculum developers to design and deliver high-quality, learner-centred training programs in digital and entrepreneurial skills.
The workshop brought together 12 participants from partner organizations OPDE, BBIN, and CTJEBU. Participants engaged actively throughout the sessions, contributing to a dynamic learning environment enriched by peer exchange and practical exercises.
The ToT combined both theoretical and practical approaches, covering key topics such as:
- adult learning principles
- effective training design and planning
- facilitation and communication skills
- managing diverse learning groups
- delivering interactive and engaging training sessions
A strong emphasis was placed on learning by doing, with participants designing and delivering their own training sessions and receiving constructive feedback from peers and the trainer.
Participants highlighted the training as highly valuable and relevant to their work, particularly appreciating its practical orientation and interactive methodology. The experience helped build confidence and provided essential tools for delivering effective training in their respective contexts.
This Training of Trainers marks an important step in strengthening the quality and sustainability of training delivery within the BURUDIGI project, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to transfer knowledge and skills to a wider audience.
Training Objectives
The overall goal of the training was to strengthen the capacity of curriculum developers and trainers to design and deliver high-quality, engaging, and learner-centered training programs in digital and entrepreneurial skills.
The specific objectives were to:
- Strengthen participants’ understanding of training methodologies and the role and responsibilities of an effective trainer
- Build participants’ capacity to design training programs based on identified learning needs
- Enhance facilitation, presentation, and communication skills for effective training delivery
- Develop competencies in instructional design, with a focus on creating interactive, learner-centered training approaches
- Improve participants’ ability to design, deliver, and evaluate training programs effectively
- Strengthen participants’ skills in providing and receiving constructive feedback as an essential component of effective training and continuous improvement
- Reinforce experiential learning through practical exercises that enable participants to design and deliver training sessions (“learning by doing”)
Training Approach and Methodology
The training adopted a highly participatory and interactive approach designed to actively engage all participants throughout the sessions. The methodology was grounded in a practice-oriented learning approach, ensuring that participants were not passive recipients of information but active contributors to the learning process.
A variety of facilitative methods were used, including group discussions, individual reflection exercises, experience sharing, and case study analysis. These approaches enabled participants to learn from both the facilitators and one another, fostering peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Participants were encouraged to share real-life experiences and challenges they had encountered in their roles as trainers. These practical cases were collectively analyzed during group sessions, allowing participants to explore different perspectives and jointly develop practical solutions. This approach ensured that the training remained relevant, context-specific, and directly applicable to their work environment.
Training Content and Key Topics
The Training of Trainers (ToT) commenced with an introductory session aimed at setting the context for the training, establishing a shared understanding of the program’s objectives, and aligning participants’ expectations. It was also emphasized that all processes and activities undertaken during the training are intended to serve as practical models that participants are expected to replicate when they deliver similar trainings in the future. Participants were therefore encouraged not to view these processes as applicable only to the ToT, but as essential practices for their own facilitation.
During the session, facilitators and participants jointly defined common goals for the training and clarified the roles and responsibilities required from participants to ensure active engagement and maximize learning outcomes. This participatory approach helped create a conducive learning environment built on mutual understanding, commitment, and accountability.
The training then covered a comprehensive range of topics designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical competencies required for effective training design and delivery.
The Role of the Trainer
Participants explored the role of a trainer as a key driver of effective learning. A trainer is not only responsible for delivering content but also for facilitating the learning process and creating an environment that supports participant engagement and knowledge acquisition.
In general, the trainer’s role encompasses designing training programs, guiding learners through the learning process, using appropriate methods to accommodate different learning styles, and ensuring that training sessions are interactive and learner-centered. The trainer is also expected to demonstrate strong communication skills, provide relevant examples, and adapt delivery approaches to meet the needs of diverse participants.
In addition, a trainer is responsible for planning and organizing training sessions effectively, managing time, and ensuring that learning objectives are achieved. The role also involves assessing participant progress, providing constructive feedback, and supporting continuous learning and improvement.
Overall, the trainer acts as a program/curriculum designer, a facilitator, communicator, organizer, and evaluator, all aimed at ensuring that training is meaningful, engaging, and results-oriented.
Conclusion
The Training of Trainers was a highly impactful and successful initiative that significantly enhanced participants’ knowledge, skills, and confidence as trainers.
The combination of theoretical input, participatory methods, and practical sessions created a rich learning experience. Despite challenges related to time and language, the training achieved its objectives and provided valuable insights for future improvements.
The project is Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
This institutional collaboration project is part of MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The department is an expert centre on sustainable private sector development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture and health. For more information click here.
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