In May 2025, a youth worker from Germany, representing Copernicus Berlin e.V., joined the Erasmus+ project “Fostering Peace Through IT Solutions” in Yerevan, Armenia. This international training brought together youth workers, educators, and community leaders from diverse backgrounds, all united by the belief that technology can be a powerful tool for peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Hosted in the culturally rich and historically significant city of Yerevan, the program combined theoretical learning with practical exercises, giving participants both the knowledge and the skills to design and implement IT-based initiatives that encourage dialogue, trust, and stability in communities across Europe and beyond.
In Germany, digital communication has become a central part of daily life, especially among young people. While this has created new opportunities for connection and learning, it has also brought challenges such as online hate speech, misinformation, and growing divisions in public discourse. Social tensions, often amplified in digital spaces, have made it clear that there is a pressing need for tools that promote respectful dialogue and understanding. Many young people lack the skills to navigate online environments safely and responsibly, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation and exclusion. Against this backdrop, the project’s focus on digital literacy, conflict resolution, and inclusive communication was highly relevant for the German context.
The training in Yerevan was a transformative experience. It began with expert-led sessions on digital peace campaigns and online mediation techniques, offering valuable insights into how technology can be used to foster constructive engagement rather than division. Participants explored real-life examples of peace-oriented digital platforms and discussed the ethical considerations of working in online spaces. This theoretical foundation was followed by practical workshops where small, diverse teams worked together to design prototype solutions addressing real community needs. The atmosphere was one of creativity and openness, with ideas ranging from anti-hate speech chatbots to educational games promoting tolerance.
Local visits in Yerevan offered another layer of learning. Meeting Armenian NGOs and tech start-ups that use digital innovation to strengthen communities was eye-opening. One initiative connected young people from different ethnic backgrounds through collaborative online projects, showing how shared goals in a digital space can help overcome deep-rooted divisions. Another project provided safe online learning environments for youth in rural areas, ensuring they had equal opportunities to participate in civic life. These encounters demonstrated the power of combining technology with strong local engagement.
Inspired by these experiences, the youth worker from Copernicus Berlin e.V. returned home determined to create a solution tailored to the German context. The result was “PeaceLink,” a digital platform designed to connect youth from different cultural and social backgrounds through structured online dialogues, collaborative challenges, and educational resources on conflict resolution. The platform was built with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, ensuring user safety, and incorporated guidelines for respectful communication. Special attention was given to accessibility, so that young people with different abilities and language skills could participate equally.
The impact of “PeaceLink” was quickly felt. In its pilot phase, the platform attracted young participants from various regions of Germany, including rural areas where opportunities for intercultural exchange are limited. Through guided discussions and joint digital projects, participants developed not only technical skills but also empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of diversity. Teachers and youth workers began to integrate the platform into their educational activities, and local municipalities expressed interest in using it as part of community engagement programs.
Beyond the immediate benefits for young people, “PeaceLink” started to influence the way digital communication was approached in certain educational and civic institutions. By demonstrating that structured, respectful online interaction can bridge divides, the initiative helped shift the conversation from focusing solely on the dangers of the internet to exploring its potential for positive change. The project also strengthened Copernicus Berlin e.V.’s role as a connector between local communities and international best practices in peacebuilding.
Looking ahead, the vision is to expand “PeaceLink” beyond Germany, creating cross-border dialogue spaces where young people from different countries can work together on shared challenges. The long-term goal is to build a network of youth who are not only digitally skilled but also committed to fostering peace and understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Erasmus+ experience in Yerevan proved that when youth workers are equipped with the right digital tools, ethical awareness, and a mindset for inclusion, they can guide young people toward becoming active peacebuilders. Technology alone cannot resolve conflicts, but when combined with empathy, respect, and collaboration, it can become a bridge between communities that once seemed divided. In today’s complex digital landscape, initiatives like “Fostering Peace Through IT Solutions” are not just valuable—they are essential for shaping a more inclusive and harmonious future.