Representatives of Hyper Island and the Swedish Institute has help to facilitate a team-building session for the psychologists of the Econet

On November 13, the ECONET / Mentally.one network of psychologists took part in a team-building session facilitated by Hyper Island in cooperation with the Swedish Institute.

The session was conducted by Andrii Bogoslavets (CEO of ECONET UA), Alex Neuman (Hyper Island, SI) and Sarah Juhl Gregersen (Hyper Island, SI). This activity was held within the framework of the Impact Lab coaching programme. The event became possible thanks to the SI Leadership Programme for leaders with the ambition and potential to drive change for sustainable development.

The session was led by leadership with the support of team-development coaches Alex Neuman and Sarah — experienced Hyper Island specialists who work with group dynamics, facilitation, and innovative team-learning approaches.

The aim of the session was to:

• strengthen interaction within the ECO network’s team of psychologists;
• deepen the understanding of group dynamics;
• develop shared principles of collaboration;
• build trust and psychological safety in the team;
• support specialists working with young people in the context of war.

Participants completed a series of exercises aimed at strengthening trust, cohesion, and the overall effectiveness of the Eco Network’s team of psychologists. The session began with a check-in, during which each participant shared their name, location, and emotional state — helping to create a safe environment and set the tone for collaboration. The facilitators then delivered a short mini-lecture on the stages of team development and introduced the “walnut” model of group dynamics, which illustrates the visible and invisible aspects of how a team functions. The central practice of the session was the Personal Storytelling exercise: in small groups, participants shared three experiences or factors that shaped them as individuals and professionals, as well as one dream for the future, while others practiced active listening without comments or questions.

Afterward, the team engaged in a reflective debrief, discussing how it felt to share, listen, and prepare for the exercise, which helped deepen awareness of personal reactions and emotions. The next step was the creation of shared principles for collaboration — participants formulated norms and behavioral guidelines necessary for healthy and productive teamwork. The session concluded with a check-out, where each person shared a key insight or feeling, reinforcing the outcomes of the session and bringing it to a thoughtful and complete close.