ONLINE COURSE: Facilitation Skills and Moderation
Dates: 12-16 April, 2021 or alternatively 08-12 November , 2021 
Facilitation, whether face to face or online, is a working method which plays an increasingly important role in professional everyday life. In facilitated processes the factual and the emotional relationship level are equally important. A professional facilitator must be able to shape both levels simultaneously and evenly to create a constructive and open-minded atmosphere in working groups. The focus of this training course is on the „how“ - giving the participants concrete suggestions for practical use.
Course Objectives
The participants learn how they can effectively chair a meeting and facilitate teams and groups in a results-oriented manner. They are provided with proven methods, tips and techniques for facilitating meetings and sessions effectively. They will deal with potentials and limitations of face to face sessions as well as virtual sessions. They will increase their self-confidence as facilitators.
Course Content
- The role of a facilitator
- Preparing a facilitation
- Conducting a facilitation
- The course of facilitation
- Facilitation methods: examples given for face to face sessions as well as for virtual sessions
- Dealing with problems in meetings
- After the facilitation
Course Programme
The time frame of the sessions is as follows:
9.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. CEST (Central European Summer Time)
The new course programme will be available soon.
For a first overview you can have a look at the programme of the previous course.
What does live online training mean?
Our online trainings are not pre-recorded training videos, webinars for large audiences or self-paced e-learning courses. They are virtual live trainings delivered by our trainers in real-time, focusing on the interaction of a small group of remote participants. Just like our face-to-face trainings, these virtual classrooms aim at tailoring the discussions and learning experiences to the training needs of the participants.
Requirements: to attend our live online trainings, a reliable high-speed internet connection and a computer or laptop running Windows or iOS are required (including audio and video). The Humboldt-Universität of Berlin uses the videoconferencing platform Zoom (subject to change) for virtual classrooms as well as digital tools. We strongly recommend an external headset for better sound quality.
Course Methods
The focus of the course is on practical exercises. The participants are invited to practise facilitation and to experience themselves in the role of a facilitator.
The virtual classroom sessions with the trainers and the fellow participants via Zoom (subject to change) will be complemented by group exercises, assignments as well as time for self-study and reflection. The participants will be provided with techniques in order to be able to conduct a meeting of session as facilitator.
Target Group
The course is designed for advanced beginners with some practical experiences. However, midlevel facilitators also might refresh ideas and get new inspiration for events they facilitate. Participants should be familiar with basic communication skills such as active listening and constructive communication.
Trainers

Monika Boutros-Fischer is a committed and experienced trainer, facilitator and coach with more than 25 years of experience working in Africa, Middle East, Asia and Germany. She loves working with groups, teams and individuals. Her motto is: practice what you preach - with a good sense of humour.

Lia Weitz is an enthusiastic trainer and coach in the field of sustainability and systemic change. She currently works for a berlin-based Think Tank specialised in facilitating dialogue events and peer-learning for climate change - online as well as face-to-face. She is experienced in facilitating trainings, workshops, conferences and dialogue events to this end with different actors and stakeholders from practitioners to politics. Beforehand she has been working in development cooperation notably in Latin America in rural development. She holds a Degree in Political Sciences and Agricultural Economics and is a certified trainer by the artop institute affiliated to Humboldt-Universität as well as a mediator. Lia loves the combination of engaging methods and the potential of individuals as well as groups to arrive at empowering learning experiences and tangible working results to base further action upon.
General information
The tuition fee is 875,- euros per participant.
This includes:
- 5-day liveonline training course
- Course documentation and learning materials
- Certificate of participation is issued by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Apply now through the online enrolment form!
Contact Details
Ms Annika Buchholz, SLE TRAINING Programme Manager
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 20 93 46 881
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apply now through the online enrolment form!
“The training I attended really enhanced my professional development.” & “SLE is a unique platform for intensive training.”
say two former participants who filled in our alumni questionnaire in 2017.