In October 2024, a group of youth workers from across Europe gathered in Budapest, Hungary, to take part in an Erasmus+ training course titled Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion. The project was created to help youth workers understand how digital tools can promote equality and inclusion, especially for young people who face barriers to participation in modern society. Among the many inspiring participants was a representative from Green Hope, a Romanian NGO dedicated to youth development, environmental awareness, and community empowerment. The experience in Budapest became a turning point for the participant, offering both professional growth and a deeper understanding of how technology can serve as a tool for inclusion, creativity, and human connection.
The Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion project was part of the Erasmus+ program, which supports education, training, and youth collaboration across Europe. The goal of this particular training was to enhance digital competences among youth workers and to show how digital literacy can open doors to new opportunities for disadvantaged young people. The week-long training was filled with workshops, intercultural exchanges, and creative exercises that encouraged participants to rethink how youth work can evolve in the digital age. For the Romanian participant from Green Hope, it was not only a course about technology but also a journey into understanding people—their struggles, dreams, and potential.
The Local Context in Romania
Before taking part in the Erasmus+ training, Green Hope was already active in Romania’s youth sector. The organization had been working on projects related to sustainability, civic engagement, and cultural inclusion. However, like many organizations in the country, it was also aware of the growing digital divide that affected young people in both urban and rural areas.
In Romania, the rapid development of technology over the past decade has created both opportunities and challenges. While many young people in cities like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca are highly active online and well-connected, others in smaller towns and villages still face limited access to digital tools and resources. Internet connections are not always stable, schools often lack proper equipment, and some teachers are not trained in using modern educational technologies. This creates an unequal environment where not all young people have the same chances to develop digital skills or find opportunities for education and employment.
The situation was especially difficult for marginalized groups—young people with fewer opportunities, those from low-income families, or those from Roma communities. They were often excluded from online learning or from participating in projects that required digital engagement. Youth workers in Romania began to see that digital inclusion had become a new social challenge, one that required both creativity and collaboration to address.
When Green Hope received the invitation to send a youth worker to the Budapest training, the team saw it as a valuable chance to learn new digital strategies that could later be shared at home. The participant hoped to discover practical ways to help young people use technology for self-expression, learning, and connection. The goal was to bring these lessons back to Romania and adapt them to the local context where inclusion was urgently needed.
The Training Experience in Budapest
Arriving in Budapest, the participant was greeted by a diverse group of youth workers from different corners of Europe. Each of them represented organizations that worked with young people facing various forms of exclusion—economic, social, or cultural. The atmosphere was full of enthusiasm and curiosity. Despite differences in language and background, everyone was united by the same goal: to learn how technology can become a bridge for inclusion.
The training sessions were organized using non-formal education methods. This meant that learning happened through interaction, creativity, and teamwork rather than through lectures. The facilitators encouraged participants to explore new digital tools and platforms, to share experiences, and to reflect on the role of digital youth work in their communities.
One of the most eye-opening moments for the participant from Green Hope was a session on digital storytelling. Participants learned how young people can use digital media—videos, podcasts, and social platforms—to share their stories, express opinions, and build confidence. This approach was especially powerful for those who often felt invisible in their communities. The idea that a simple video or online campaign could give voice to marginalized youth was deeply inspiring.
Another memorable part of the training was the visit to a local Hungarian youth center. There, participants saw how local young people used technology for creative and educational purposes. The center had set up a small recording studio where youth produced podcasts and short films on topics like equality, environment, and cultural identity. This visit demonstrated how even limited resources could be transformed into powerful tools for learning and expression when guided by dedicated youth workers.
During the group projects, the participant from Romania collaborated with peers from Germany, Spain, and Croatia to design a concept for an online platform that connects youth workers and young people through mentorship programs. The platform aimed to offer digital skill-building sessions and peer support for those with fewer opportunities. Working together with others across Europe strengthened not only digital skills but also intercultural understanding and cooperation.
By the end of the week, the participant had not only gained new knowledge but also developed a new mindset. The training made it clear that digital youth work is not just about using computers or apps—it is about creating inclusive spaces where every young person feels valued, supported, and capable of contributing.
Post-Project Action in Romania
Returning home to Romania, the participant felt inspired to put the lessons into action. Supported by Green Hope, a new local initiative was launched under the title Digital Wings. The project aimed to bring digital literacy and creativity workshops to small communities where access to technology and training was limited.
The first Digital Wings workshops took place in schools and youth centers in the countryside. The sessions focused on simple but meaningful skills—how to use online tools for learning, how to communicate safely on the internet, and how to create digital projects such as videos, blogs, or awareness campaigns. The workshops were designed in a friendly and interactive way, using the non-formal methods learned in Budapest.
To make the activities inclusive, Green Hope partnered with local teachers and community leaders. They helped identify young people who could benefit most—those who had never had the chance to take part in digital education or who felt uncertain about using technology. The sessions combined practical exercises with discussions about equality, online ethics, and creativity. Participants were encouraged to use their digital skills for good causes, such as promoting local culture, protecting the environment, or raising awareness about inclusion.
The initiative quickly became more than just a training project. It became a space where young people met, collaborated, and felt empowered to express themselves. For many of them, it was the first time they realized that technology could be used for something more than entertainment—it could be a way to build a future and to connect with the world beyond their town.
The Impact on Youth and the Community
The impact of Digital Wings grew steadily over the following months. Dozens of young participants developed not only technical skills but also a sense of confidence and belonging. Teachers noticed positive changes in their students’ behavior—more curiosity, better communication, and stronger teamwork. Some participants even started small digital projects on their own, such as creating short documentaries about village life or designing social media pages to promote local initiatives.
The project also encouraged intergenerational cooperation. Parents and local community members were invited to participate in some sessions to understand how digital education could support their children’s development. These meetings helped build trust and understanding between generations, reducing the fear or skepticism some adults had toward technology.
Beyond the local level, the project inspired new partnerships. Green Hope connected with youth organizations from neighboring countries to share materials and ideas. The lessons from Budapest became a foundation for future collaborations in digital inclusion. Several of these partnerships later applied for new Erasmus+ projects focused on online creativity and digital entrepreneurship for youth.
One of the most touching outcomes was the change in how young participants viewed themselves. Many had started the project with little confidence, believing they lacked the skills or resources to succeed. By the end, they saw themselves as capable and creative individuals ready to contribute to their communities. They began to believe that their ideas mattered, and that inclusion starts when everyone’s voice is heard.
Reflection and the Way Forward
Looking back, the Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion training in Budapest became a source of long-term inspiration for Green Hope and its youth workers. It showed that inclusion in the digital age is not just about giving access to technology—it is about giving people the ability and confidence to use it meaningfully.
For the participant, the experience was also a personal transformation. It changed how youth work was perceived—not as a simple job, but as a mission to create bridges between people, ideas, and opportunities. The friendships built in Budapest, the stories shared, and the projects developed continue to inspire daily work in Romania.
The organization plans to expand Digital Wings to reach more schools and to include training for teachers and youth leaders. It also hopes to develop an online learning platform that will make digital inclusion tools available for free to small communities across the country.
The experience proved that youth work can be a powerful driver of change. When given the right tools, young people are capable of shaping their own future and contributing to society in meaningful ways. Inclusion, diversity, and empowerment are not abstract concepts—they are living values that grow stronger when shared.
The story of Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion reminds everyone that real progress begins with empathy and collaboration. In a world where technology is everywhere, it is up to youth workers and educators to ensure that no one is left behind. Through projects like this, young people across Romania and Europe can continue to grow into confident, creative, and responsible digital citizens, ready to build a more inclusive future for all.