Youth exchange “Online Smart: Create, Engage, Protect”

Recently, young people from several European countries took part in the youth exchange Online Smart: Create, Engage, Protect, an international experience focused on the conscious, creative and responsible use of digital technology.

The project aimed to help young people move from passive digital consumption to active digital creation, encouraging critical thinking, responsible online participation and digital well-being. Using non-formal education methods, the exchange combined reflection, teamwork and hands-on activities in an intercultural and safe environment.

Learning by doing: key digital skills

During the exchange, participants worked on practical digital skills such as:

• Mobile photography and visual content creation.
• Basic video editing and digital storytelling.
• Online research and fact-checking.
• Digital collaboration and intercultural teamwork.

These activities encouraged participants to think critically about the content we consume online every day, how social media works, and the importance of protecting personal data and navigating digital environments safely and responsibly.

Technology with social impact

One of the central themes of the exchange was the use of technology as a tool for social change. The young people designed and created educational content, small social media campaigns and awareness-raising initiatives on issues relevant to their local communities.

The exchange also worked on digital well-being, sharing strategies for healthy screen-time management and for finding a real balance between digital and offline life.

It also introduced young people to the Erasmus+ programme, exploring the opportunities it offers for learning, international mobility and active participation in European projects. For many participants, this was their first contact with youth work at European level.

Partner organisations

The project was made possible by the collaboration of the following partner organisations:

• DASEIN e.V. (Germany)
• Karate Klub Metalurg (North Macedonia)
• BACKSLASH (Spain)
• Bosphorus Education, Culture and Development Association (Turkey)
• FONDATSIYA KURAZH (Bulgaria)

This youth exchange showed that, when technology, creativity and participation come together, young people can become protagonists of a more conscious, critical and engaged use of digital tools.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.