Netwerkpro, The Netherlands
A trainer’s journey through empowerment, presence and impact
When Laila joined the MISUP Train‑the‑Trainer programme in Rome in November 2025, she expected to learn a methodology. What she did not expect was how deeply the training would influence her own professional identity — and how it would ripple outward into the lives of the women she later trained in Amsterdam.
Her journey illustrates exactly what Work Package 3 of MISUP aims to achieve: empowered trainers who empower others.
A Powerful Start in Rome: Learning to Be Present
The two‑day Train‑the‑Trainer session in Rome, hosted by Programma Integra, brought together 13 participants from five countries. The focus was clear: trainers were not only learning the Pillars of Power methodology, but also how to embody presence, safety and leadership in front of a group.
One of the core themes — being present in the moment — resonated strongly with Laila. The trainers explored how to stay grounded, how to create a safe environment for vulnerable participants, and how to manage group energy with intention and care.
The training was intense, dynamic and filled with connection. Music, energizers, group exercises and shared reflection created a sense of community across cultures and backgrounds. As Laila later described, the experience “opened something” in her — a deeper understanding of what empowerment looks like from the inside out.
Impact Training in Amsterdam: Turning Insight into Action
After Rome, Laila joined the MISUP impact training in Amsterdam, led by Act!On. This session helped trainers translate their personal growth into measurable social impact. They explored questions such as:
- What change do I want to create?
- How do I recognise impact in individuals?
- How do I guide participants toward sustainable next steps?
This training sharpened Laila’s focus. She returned to her organisation — Taal en Participatiecentrum Eva & Adam / Civic Amsterdam — ready to apply the methodology with clarity and purpose.
Empowering Women Locally: Eight Weeks of Growth
Soon after, Laila facilitated the eight‑week empowerment programme Pillars of Power for a group of seven women with diverse cultural backgrounds. Her evaluation shows the profound effect of the training:
“During the eight sessions, the women transformed into more talkative and more self‑confident individuals — some more than others.” (Evaluation Laila Misup.docx)
The women expressed a desire to continue learning, to take better care of themselves, and to make choices that serve their own needs. Some wanted to work toward financial independence; others wished to build confidence step by step.
Laila emphasised that empowerment is a continuous process — one that begins with strengthening self‑belief and ownership of one’s actions. She even offered additional sessions so the women could practise presenting themselves and pitching, supporting them in taking their next steps.
Her conclusion was clear:
“The objective of the training was more than achieved and provided both the trainer and the group with positive energy.” (Evaluation Laila Misup.docx)
A Trainer Who Embodies MISUP’s Mission
Laila’s trajectory — from Rome to Amsterdam to her own empowerment group — shows how MISUP’s methodology becomes truly powerful when trainers internalise it.
She experienced empowerment. She learned to measure impact. She passed that empowerment on to others.
Her work demonstrates the heart of MISUP:
Strong trainers create strong communities. Strong communities create strong futures.
Looking Ahead
With the translated handbooks, e‑learning modules and growing network of trained facilitators, MISUP continues to expand its reach across Europe. Laila’s story is just one example of how the project is already changing lives — one trainer, one group, one moment of courage at a time.
