Workshop “Healthy Relationships”: How to Recognize Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
The workshop “Healthy Relationships” aimed to encourage participants to reflect together on what healthy relationships are, how to recognize signs of unhealthy behavior, and how to establish and maintain personal boundaries. Through discussion and practical examples, participants explored their own expectations and ways of building relationships based on respect, trust, and a sense of safety.
Although we talked about difficult and sensitive topics, participants often laughed and felt very relaxed throughout the workshop. At the end, they wrote down their impressions on small notes. The feedback showed that the workshop was useful to them and that they gained new knowledge and insights about healthy and unhealthy relationships, including the importance of setting and respecting personal boundaries, recognizing toxic patterns, and understanding the phases of violence.
Here are some of their impressions:
• I heard many meaningful experiences from which I learned new things and broadened my perspectives. I enjoyed the wonderful inclusive energy. I experienced relationships and connections in a completely new way, and the balloon illustration was truly amazing. The workshop facilitator also contributed greatly to making everyone feel relaxed and enjoy the workshop.
• I learned what a toxic relationship is, what should not be tolerated in a relationship, and the fact that we all seek similar things in relationships, especially honesty, respect, and freedom.
• I met girls/women who had been in the same situation as me, and I feel understood. Thank you to the girls from Centrić.
• I learned about the phases of violence.
• It was emotional, funny, talkative, educational, and supportive. •‿•
• To respect myself and my boundaries instead of enduring everything! And that it is okay to say when something bothers me. ♡
The workshop was held on May 14, 2026.
Workshop facilitator: Marija Virijević.
The workshop was held as part of the Gen2 project implemented by Kolektiv MANA with the financial support of EL*C and the European Union.
During the seminar held in Novi Sad, feminist organizations collaboratively developed the healthy relationships workshop, along with its accompanying methodology and handbook.
Part of this process were:
Lejla Pleh (Fondacija CURE)
Marija Virijević (Centar za devojke)
Isidora Paklar (IRIDA)
Anđela Žarić (NVO Prima)
Jelena Jašović (Psychosocial Innovation Network (PIN))
Nikolina Pavićević (Misli Kritički)
Dajana Osmani (Kontrahisterija)
Milica Živanović (Kolektiv MANA)
Handbook editor:
Milica Crkvenjakov (Kolektiv MANA)
Text: Marija Virijević
Photography: Teodora Milosavljević and Marija Virijević
