Partners of the Pathway to Digital Citizenship Education project gathered in Belgrade in July this year for the official kick-off meeting, marking the beginning of an 18-month collaboration focused on strengthening digital citizenship education in youth work. Representatives of youth organisations from Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Serbia came together for two intensive days of planning, reflection and team-building.
This meeting represented our first opportunity to meet in person, exchange perspectives and jointly shape the vision and direction of the project.
Why digital citizenship education matters today
We opened the meeting by aligning our understanding of digital citizenship education and its relevance in the lives of young people. Through shared discussions, we reflected on the challenges young people face in the digital environment – from misinformation and online hate speech to digital safety, participation and rights.
We reaffirmed our common goal: to empower youth workers to support young people in becoming active, critical, responsible and ethical digital citizens.
Getting to know the project: aims, structure and roles
During the first day, we introduced the project framework, objectives and timeline. We discussed the Erasmus+ KA210-YOU context, clarified partner roles and responsibilities, and agreed on internal coordination and communication mechanisms. This session helped ensure transparency, equal participation and a strong foundation for collaboration.
Planning project results: training kit, learning activities and digital game
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to planning the key project outputs. Together, we:
- outlined the structure of the Training kit on digital citizenship education in youth work,
- discussed learning objectives and methodologies for future training activities,
- initiated the first ideas for the development of a digital educational game focused on digital rights, responsibilities, participation and countering online hate and cyberbullying.
These discussions allowed us to combine our diverse expertise and experiences, ensuring that the project outputs will be practical, youth-centred and applicable across different national contexts.
Strengthening cooperation and team spirit
Beyond formal planning, the kick-off meeting was also about building trust and strengthening our partnership. Through interactive sessions and informal exchanges, we got to know each other’s organisational backgrounds, values and working cultures. This helped us build a sense of belonging and motivation for the journey ahead.
Looking ahead: a shared vision for the next 18 months
The kick-off meeting in Belgrade set a strong foundation for the project’s implementation. We left with a clear roadmap, shared understanding and renewed enthusiasm. Implemented in the year declared by the Council of Europe as the Year of Education for Digital Citizenship, this project represents our joint contribution to promoting democratic values, human rights and digital responsibility among young people.
We are excited about the next steps – developing resources, testing methods and sharing knowledge that will support youth workers and young people across Europe.
📣 Follow our journey and stay tuned for updates, learning materials and stories from the project.
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The project “Pathway to Digital Citizenship Education” aims to empower youth workers with the skills and tools needed to support young people in navigating the digital world critically, responsibly and safely. The project is implemented by a consortium of youth organisations from Serbia (Foundation Arka), Croatia (Udruga Delta), Portugal (Red Cross Braga) and Greece (Innovation Hive), with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme. The project started on 1 April 2025 and will last for 18 months.
You can read the Greek version of this article here.
