In May 2025, a youth worker from Hungary, representing the NGO Kreatív Ifjúsági Akadémia Magyarország, took part in the Erasmus+ project “Fostering Peace Through IT Solutions” in Yerevan, Armenia. This international training brought together participants from different parts of Europe and beyond, all dedicated to exploring how information technology can be used as a tool for peacebuilding and conflict transformation. The program was designed to combine deep theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice, empowering youth workers to develop innovative digital solutions that encourage dialogue, trust, and mutual understanding in their communities.
In Hungary, the digital world is a central part of everyday life. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and online forums are key spaces for communication, especially among young people. However, these spaces often become arenas for division, misinformation, and conflict. Hate speech, cyberbullying, and polarizing debates have created tensions that spill over into offline life. Many young people lack the skills to navigate these challenges, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation and exclusion. In this context, the project’s focus on using IT for peacebuilding felt both timely and urgent. It provided an opportunity to explore how technology could be transformed from a source of division into a bridge for understanding and cooperation.
The training in Yerevan offered a rich and diverse learning experience. Expert sessions introduced participants to digital peace campaigns, online mediation strategies, and methods for building multi-stakeholder collaboration. These sessions highlighted the importance of both technical skills and ethical awareness when working in online environments. The program also included hands-on project labs, where small, international teams developed prototypes for digital tools aimed at promoting peace. Ideas ranged from chatbots that counter hate speech to virtual platforms that bring together youth from different cultural backgrounds for joint projects.
One of the most inspiring parts of the training was visiting local Armenian NGOs and tech start-ups that are already using digital innovation to strengthen communities. These visits revealed creative approaches to building trust between different groups. One project connected rural youth with urban students through online learning programs, reducing social isolation and creating new friendships. Another initiative used interactive digital storytelling to help young people share their experiences of conflict and recovery, fostering empathy and resilience. These examples showed that when technology is used thoughtfully, it can break down barriers and open doors to cooperation.
Returning to Hungary, the youth worker was inspired to launch a new initiative called “Digital Bridges.” This platform was designed to provide safe online spaces where young people from different backgrounds could collaborate on creative projects, learn conflict resolution skills, and engage in guided discussions about social issues. The platform included interactive workshops on digital literacy, cybersecurity, and respectful communication, ensuring that participants could use technology safely and effectively. The content was adapted to the Hungarian context, with special attention to addressing local sources of tension, such as political polarization and cultural misunderstandings.
The impact of “Digital Bridges” was felt quickly. In its first months, the platform connected youth from cities, towns, and rural areas, many of whom had never interacted with peers from different cultural or social backgrounds. By working together on shared projects—such as designing educational games or planning community events—participants built trust and developed empathy. Teachers and youth organizations began to use the platform as part of their regular programs, and local authorities expressed interest in supporting its expansion. The initiative not only helped young people strengthen their digital skills but also equipped them with the tools to navigate disagreements constructively and to see diversity as a strength rather than a threat.
Beyond the immediate effects on young participants, the project began to influence wider community attitudes toward online interaction. By showing that respectful dialogue and collaboration were possible in digital spaces, it challenged the perception that the internet is inherently a place of division. The initiative also strengthened the role of Kreatív Ifjúsági Akadémia Magyarország as a leader in combining technology and peacebuilding, opening new opportunities for international cooperation.
Looking ahead, the goal is to expand “Digital Bridges” across borders, creating partnerships with youth organizations in neighboring countries. This would allow young people from different national contexts to work together on issues that affect them all, from climate change to digital rights. The long-term vision is to create a network of empowered, digitally literate youth who see themselves as active peacebuilders in both their online and offline communities.
The Erasmus+ training in Yerevan proved that when youth workers are given the tools, knowledge, and confidence to use technology for social good, they can inspire real and lasting change. Technology alone cannot solve conflicts, but when combined with empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration, it becomes a powerful instrument for building bridges where walls once stood. In today’s interconnected yet divided world, such initiatives are essential for creating inclusive and resilient communities that can face the future together.