Digital Youth Work

4 February 2023

Program: Erasmus+, KA1 – Youth Workers Project
Project leader: Institute of Research & Training on European Affairs – I.R.T.E.A. – GREECE
Timeframe of the project:  January 2023 – August 2023
Partners:

• Poland – Association Reflections on Europe
• Greece –  Institute of Research & Training on European Affairs – I.R.T.E.A.
• Lithuania – Enterprising Partners
• Italy – Municipality of Cinisello Balsamo 
• Romania – Bistrita Business Academy Association,

About the project:

The Exchange seeks to enhance the youth workers’ digital skillsets and capabilities, offering them new tools to utilize in their line of work. In addition, through its many engaging activities and workshops, the project will explore the topic of youth’s dependency on digital means, the dangers of addiction and how
to combat it with the help of innovative methods.

The “DYW & DYD” project aims, on the one hand, to point out the importance of the use of digital tools both in the everyday and professional life of a Youth Worker and explore the role of Digital Youth Work among youth, especially now under the COVID-19 circumstances. The youth workers who will take part in the activities shall acquire a better understanding of how to implement existing and design new digital tools and methods in their everyday work, while also being aware of the dangers of the excessive usage of such digital means by young people themselves without the context of a proper and safe environment that youth work provides.

Summary:

As part of the “Digital Youth Work” project, we spent 7 days with representatives of Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal and Greece! The project coordinator was @irtea.

The “DYW & DYD” project aimed, on the one hand, to draw attention to the importance of using digital tools both in the daily and professional life of a youth worker and to examine the role of digital youth work among young people, especially now in the COVID-19 era. The youth workers who attended the event had a better understanding of how to implement existing and design new digital tools and methods in their daily work, while being aware of the dangers of excessive use of such digital means by young people and themselves.

The final result of the project was the creation of an e-book on the most commonly used applications and computer programs, such as Canva or Chat GPT. The e-book is addressed to people who have never used the applications contained in it and contains simple instructions on how to use them!

In addition to increased knowledge in the field of IT and remote work, the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the European Union, learn about the customs and cultures of the participating countries and, above all, get acquainted with Greek traditions, customs and values.