In October 2024, youth workers, educators, and community leaders from across Europe gathered in Budapest, Hungary, to take part in the Erasmus+ training course Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion. This international project aimed to explore how technology and digital tools can help create equal opportunities for young people from all backgrounds. Among the participants was a youth worker from CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary, an organization devoted to empowering youth through creativity, cultural understanding, and innovation. What unfolded during that week was not only a professional experience but also a deep personal journey of reflection, learning, and renewed motivation to make a difference in the local community.
The project was part of the broader Erasmus+ mission to strengthen cooperation in education, training, and youth work across Europe. The main idea behind Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion was to equip youth workers with digital competences and inclusive strategies that could help bridge the digital and social divide. As the world becomes increasingly digital, access to technology has become a basic need for participation in education, employment, and civic life. The training therefore served as a platform for participants to share experiences, learn new digital tools, and develop ideas on how to make digital transformation more inclusive, especially for young people with fewer opportunities.
The Local Context in Hungary
Before this project, Hungary, like many European countries, had already begun to experience both the benefits and challenges of the digital era. Over the years, digitalization had transformed the way people learn, work, and communicate. Yet, this progress had not reached everyone equally. In smaller towns and rural areas, many young people still lacked access to quality internet, digital devices, or the necessary skills to use them effectively.
The COVID-19 pandemic had also revealed how wide the digital gap could be. While urban youth quickly adapted to online learning and remote opportunities, others were left behind due to limited resources or lack of guidance. For many young Hungarians from low-income or marginalized families, the digital world felt distant and inaccessible. These inequalities not only affected education but also reduced their participation in social and civic activities.
CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary had long been aware of these challenges. The organization worked to create learning opportunities for young people through workshops, artistic projects, and non-formal education. However, it was becoming increasingly clear that inclusion in the 21st century required a stronger digital component. Helping young people to become confident and responsible digital citizens was no longer optional—it was essential for their personal and professional development.
When the opportunity arose to join the Erasmus+ training Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion, it came at the perfect time. The Academy saw it as a chance to learn new approaches that could help integrate technology into youth work in a meaningful way. The aim was not just to teach digital skills but to use them as a bridge toward connection, empowerment, and equality.
The Training Experience in Budapest
The training week in Budapest brought together participants from many European countries—Germany, Italy, Romania, Denmark, and others. From the very first day, the atmosphere was open and collaborative. Everyone shared a common passion for youth work and a shared curiosity about how digital tools could promote inclusion.
The sessions were built on non-formal education methods. Instead of traditional lectures, participants engaged in discussions, creative activities, and group challenges. They explored different topics such as digital literacy, online safety, storytelling through digital media, and the use of online platforms for youth engagement. These activities made learning dynamic and practical, showing how technology can support young people’s personal growth rather than isolate them.
One of the most inspiring moments for the Hungarian participant was the workshop on digital storytelling. The facilitators encouraged everyone to think about how digital media could give voice to those who are often unheard. Participants learned how to create short videos, podcasts, and online campaigns that promote inclusion and positive change. For youth workers, this approach felt powerful because it combined technical learning with emotional connection. It showed that technology can be a tool for empathy as much as for communication.
The group also visited a local community center in Budapest that was running digital inclusion programs for young people with fewer opportunities. There, youth were learning to use creative software, film-making tools, and online platforms to express their ideas. Seeing how local initiatives were using technology to inspire confidence and creativity left a strong impression on the participants. It demonstrated that inclusion is not only about access to tools but also about building trust and creating supportive spaces for learning.
Throughout the training, participants shared their own challenges and best practices. The diversity of experiences—from working with refugees in Italy to supporting rural youth in Romania—enriched everyone’s understanding of inclusion. The participant from CYA–Creative Youth Academy realized that while each country has its own context, the need for digital inclusion is universal. Technology connects people across borders, but only if it is used thoughtfully and with a human-centered approach.
As the training came to an end, participants developed mini-project ideas inspired by what they had learned. The Hungarian participant joined a team that designed a concept called “Digital Bridges”—an online mentoring program that connects youth workers and young people from different countries. The project aimed to exchange ideas and skills while promoting understanding and collaboration. This experience showed how Erasmus+ training could lead to real initiatives that combine learning with long-term impact.
Post-Project Action in Hungary
After returning home, the participant from CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary felt inspired to bring the lessons from Budapest into action. The training had shown how digital youth work could open new doors for inclusion, and the next step was to turn these ideas into reality.
In October 2024, the Academy launched a new initiative called Digital Together, aimed at supporting young people from rural and disadvantaged communities across Hungary. The program offered workshops on basic digital skills, creative media, and safe internet use. But more than that, it provided a platform for young people to express themselves through technology. The workshops included interactive sessions where participants learned how to create online campaigns about topics they cared about—environmental protection, equality, and mental health.
The methods used in Digital Together were directly inspired by the Erasmus+ training. Instead of formal teaching, the sessions encouraged participation and creativity. Youth workers acted as facilitators, guiding discussions and helping participants learn by doing. The workshops were designed to be inclusive, making sure that everyone could contribute, regardless of their prior experience with technology.
The initiative also included a “digital buddy” system, where participants who were more experienced helped newcomers learn and gain confidence. This peer-to-peer approach not only made learning easier but also strengthened social bonds. It reflected the spirit of the Budapest training—learning together, growing together, and supporting each other.
Soon, the project expanded beyond the Academy’s immediate community. Local schools and youth centers began collaborating with CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary, recognizing the importance of digital inclusion. Teachers, parents, and community leaders were invited to join awareness sessions about how digital skills can support education, employment, and civic engagement.
The Impact on Youth and the Community
Within just a few months, Digital Together began to show positive results. Dozens of young people gained new skills and, more importantly, confidence in using them. Participants learned not only how to operate digital tools but also how to use them responsibly and creatively. Some created short films about their communities, while others launched online initiatives to promote local volunteer work.
The project also encouraged collaboration between different generations. In some communities, young participants helped older residents learn basic computer and smartphone skills. This created a sense of solidarity and reduced the gap between generations. The initiative became a reminder that inclusion benefits everyone, not just youth.
For CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary, the project strengthened its reputation as a leader in innovative youth work. The organization began to receive invitations to share its methods at national and international events. The participant who attended the Erasmus+ training also became a mentor for new youth workers, passing on the skills and knowledge gained in Budapest.
The broader impact was visible in how communities started to value digital inclusion as part of social development. Schools that had never focused on digital education began to integrate it into extracurricular programs. Local governments expressed interest in supporting similar projects. The ripple effect of one Erasmus+ training reached far beyond the participants—it began to shape policies and inspire other organizations to act.
Reflection and Future Vision
Reflecting on the experience, it became clear that the Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion project was more than just a training—it was a catalyst for transformation. It showed that technology, when used with purpose and empathy, can connect people and create opportunities for everyone. For CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary, it also reinforced the belief that youth empowerment begins with trust and collaboration.
The participant often described the training as a journey of rediscovery. It helped reimagine youth work for the modern era—not as something separate from technology, but as something that embraces it to build stronger human connections. The project encouraged a new mindset: that every young person, regardless of background, has something valuable to contribute, and that digital spaces can be places of inclusion, learning, and creativity.
Looking ahead, CYA–Creative Youth Academy Hungary plans to expand Digital Together into an ongoing program that reaches more communities across the country. The organization is also developing an online platform that will allow youth workers from different regions to share resources, lessons, and success stories. The long-term vision is to create a national network for digital inclusion, connecting educators, organizations, and policymakers.
The journey from the Erasmus+ training in Budapest to real action in Hungarian communities demonstrates the power of European cooperation. When people come together to learn and share, they not only improve their skills—they create change that lasts. In the end, the story of Digital Youth Work for Social Inclusion is a reminder that technology is most powerful when it serves humanity, and that empowered youth are the key to building a fair, inclusive, and connected future.