PEYC was a project aimed at increasing the professional competencies of circus teachers and trainers, and to improve the quality of youth work done in youth circuses across Europe.
The PEYC project offered training courses for circus trainers and teachers, as well as for youth circus leaders and other administrative staff.
PEYC aimed to encourage the people working in the youth circuses to understand and appreciate their role as a youth worker. In addition to being a recreational activity, circus can also be an effective tool to increase social inclusion and physical and social well-being
The project consisted of three elements; the first Europe wide implementation of the CATE course developed as a previous project; technical skills masterclasses and management masterclasses
The CATE Basic Circus Trainer Course aimed to support people with some circus teaching experience who are looking to increase their pedagogical skills and increase employment opportunities as a circus trainer. The 12-day-long CATE Basic Circus Trainer Course consisted of two parts, which were hosted in Valladolid and Edinburgh.
The aim of the technical masterclasses was to increase the skills, motivation and professional identity of more experienced circus trainers; they provided them with new pedagogical tools and an opportunity to exchange competencies and good practices with other experienced trainers. The Masterclass modules focused on themes such as safety, identity, creativity and artistic development, studied through a certain circus discipline.
The management masterclasses focused on different aspects of managing a youth circus, varying from how to start a youth circus to funding.
