Academy of Care: A New Train-the-trainer Capacity-building Program (India)

The Academy of Care is a new train-the-trainer capacity-building program designed to empower individuals through creative forms of expression to work with trauma and mental health matters over the next two years.

The Academy of Care offers a hybrid and module-based analogue program, fostering non-formal education in art, music, and theater therapy. It combines psychiatric and psychological methods with alternative therapeutic approaches and practices.

For the first phase of the Academy of Care, they offer a two-month program, which provides full scholarships for up to 10 participants with a total number of 16.

The first phase of the Academy of Care is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Goethe-Institut.

What does the Scholarship Include?

• The Academy of Care offers a total of 10 full scholarships. The scholarship includes:
  • Transportation allowance
  • Accommodation and travel costs (for those coming from outside Yangon)
  • Per diems (daily allowance for living costs such as meals)
  • Assumption of costs for field research trips
  • Scholarships will be primarily given to candidates facing financial hardship and difficulties.

Benefits

• You will have developed a “niche expertise”, theoretically and practically, and be able to professionally apply and transfer skills learnt, to open them to the greatest possible group diversity, and to accompany those working through trauma collectively and individually for optimal civic/social impact.

Application Criteria

• Professional experience: Individuals with a demonstrated background of at least two years in the psychosocial-creative field, who have undertaken a relevant project and/or have completed training in the mentioned fields, are encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience expertise: They also welcome applications from ‘lived experienced experts’, individuals who have personally overcome mental health challenges, trauma, and related experiences, emerging from these experiences with renewed strength and knowledge to share their experience and become trainers themselves.

Eligibility Criteria

• The open call promotes inclusivity and stands against all forms of discrimination. They encourage individuals outside Yangon, especially those from underrepresented groups and marginalized communities, to apply. The AoC is not designed for those seeking personal healing from trauma but for individuals who want to learn how to effectively support those experiencing trauma, mental health challenges, and psychosocial difficulties. They are seeking applicants who are committed to the program, eager to acquire new skills and knowledge, willing to share their expertise in their respective professional settings, and keen to impact their working environments positively. Ideal candidates include those closely involved with civil society, possessing a profound understanding of diverse sociocultural needs and a strong desire to provide support individually and collaboratively.

For more information, visit Goethe-Institut.