Digital Pathways: Innovating Facilitation for Youth Empowerment and Active Citizenship

From 9–14 February 2026, Kalamata, Greece became a vibrant hub of creativity, digital innovation, and international collaboration as 30 youth workers and youth leaders, supported by 2 trainers, gathered for the training course: “Digital Pathways: Innovating Facilitation for Youth Empowerment and Active Citizenship.”

The training was implemented within the framework of Erasmus+ KA153-YOU – Mobility of Youth Workers and coordinated by Culti Multi Social Cooperative (Greece), in collaboration with the following partner organisations:

• Toplumsal Gelişim Akademisi Derneği (Türkiye)

• Youth Association Info Front – Prilep (North Macedonia)

• Fiatalok Tere Egyesület (Hungary)

• Ayuntamiento de Purchena (Spain)

• Move2Europe APS (Italy)

• Asociatia de Turism si Ecologie pentru Tineret Zimbrul Carpatin (Romania)

• IKReON (Slovakia)

• Valmieras Attīstības aģentūra (Latvia)

• Udruženje građana Sofinatass (Serbia)

  
  

Together, participants from 10 countries formed a dynamic learning community, united by a common goal: to strengthen youth work practices through digital transformation, creativity, and inclusive facilitation.

The Aim of Digital Pathways

Digital Pathways was designed to support youth workers in:

• Innovating facilitation methods

• Strengthening digital competences

• Promoting inclusion and empowerment

• Engaging young people with fewer opportunities

• Encouraging active citizenship through creative and participatory approaches

The project responded to a rapidly evolving youth reality, where digital environments shape communication, participation, and learning. Rather than viewing digitalisation as a challenge, the training explored it as an opportunity — when guided by strong youth work values.

What Happened During the Training

Over six intensive and inspiring days, participants moved through a structured learning journey.

Building Foundations

The first days focused on trust-building, non-formal learning principles, and youth work competences. Participants reflected on the realities faced by young people in their local contexts and examined how youth work can respond to challenges such as exclusion, disengagement, and limited access to opportunities.

Exploring Digital Youth Work

The training then shifted toward digital facilitation and digital youth engagement. Participants explored how technology can enhance participation, support quieter voices, and create interactive and inclusive learning spaces — always placing purpose before tools.

Creativity as a Tool for Empowerment

Midway through the week, creativity took centre stage. Through digital storytelling, theatre, role playing, music, and movement, participants experienced alternative facilitation methods that activate emotional, social, and reflective learning.

Special attention was given to strategies for empowering NEETs (young people not in education, employment, or training) and young people with fewer opportunities. The focus remained on creating safe spaces where confidence, voice, and agency can emerge.

Digital Creative Fusion – From Participants to Designers

One of the highlights of the training was Digital Creative Fusion, where participants worked in groups to design their own youth work tools. By combining digital methods with creative facilitation techniques, they developed original activities ready to be implemented in their local communities.

This moment marked a shift from exploration to ownership — from experiencing tools to designing them.

Reflection and Recognition

The final day was dedicated to reflection, evaluation, and the YouthPass process. Participants recognised the competences developed throughout the week, including digital skills, facilitation abilities, creativity, collaboration, and inclusive practice.

More importantly, they left not only with tools — but with renewed confidence and a stronger European network.

A Transnational Learning Community

Digital Pathways was more than a training course.

It created a space where youth workers from different cultural and professional backgrounds exchanged practices, challenged assumptions, and co-created new approaches. The diversity of perspectives strengthened the learning experience and reinforced the value of transnational cooperation in youth work.

The partnership between organisations from Greece, Italy, Latvia, Spain, Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Türkiye, Hungary, and Slovakia laid the foundation for continued collaboration beyond this activity.

The Impact Beyond Kalamata

While the training took place in Kalamata, its impact will extend far beyond.

The tools designed, the competences strengthened, and the connections built during these six days will now travel back to local communities across Europe — influencing workshops, youth exchanges, local initiatives, and future Erasmus+ projects.

Digital Pathways demonstrated that:

• Digital transformation in youth work must remain human-centred.

• Creativity is a strategic pathway to inclusion.

• Empowerment is co-created, not delivered.

• Innovation becomes meaningful when rooted in shared values.

The training may have concluded, but the pathways remain open.

And the journey continues — in every young person empowered through the work of these youth workers.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.