TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Rasa Tucinskaite
DIGIACT was an Erasmus+ Training Course designed to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: how to engage with the digital world in a responsible and informed way. Over the course of seven days, the program combined theoretical insights with practical learning, recognizing that navigating today’s digital landscape is anything but simple. The rise of misinformation, cybercrime, online hate speech, and digital human rights violations underscores the critical need for stronger digital literacy and more active, responsible digital citizenship.
OBJECTIVES:
- To equip youth workers with a deep understanding and knowledge of the digital citizenship concept, skills and competencies this topic unites
- To raise awareness of the need to protect human rights in the digital era and how to protect them
- To equip youth workers with the concrete tools and methods on how to promote active digital citizenship
- To provide a platform for youth workers from different countries to discuss the best methods to promote active citizenship online
The Training Course involved 30 participants engaged in the youth work field from 6 countries: Lithuania, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy.
The participants were either Youth Workers or Youth unemployed residents in the Partners' Countries.
The trainers’ team itself was also international, with trainers from Lithuania, and Italy, to balance expertise in digital literacy and human rights education.
The 6 organisations involved in this project:
LOUD AND CLEAR (Lithuania)
TREVESSU (Italy)
YOUNG SPIRIT GROUP (Poland)
VOLUN.DAR (Romania)
MO.MENTO (Bulgaria)
UTRECHT STUDENT NETWORK (Netherlands)
The program was thoughtfully structured to fulfill its core aim: improving the digital literacy and citizenship skills of youth workers and unemployed young people through the use of accessible digital tools. The participant group featured a diverse mix of individuals with varying levels of digital experience, fostering a rich, collaborative learning atmosphere.
Following a step-by-step approach tailored to participants’ learning needs, the project utilized non-formal education to introduce key concepts such as digital citizenship, media literacy, online safety, critical thinking, and ethical content creation.
The training was largely based on self-directed learning methods, enhanced by creative techniques like Forum Theatre from the Theatre of the Oppressed, which deepened engagement with certain topics. A balanced combination of practical exercises and theoretical learning ensured participants developed both understanding and hands-on digital skills.
Each evening, small group reflection sessions—rooted in self-guided learning principles—offered participants a safe space to share feedback, exchange experiences, and reflect on their progress. These open discussions about both successes and difficulties encouraged greater involvement and personal responsibility in the learning process.
Additionally, participants could access a digital resource hub to further explore themes related to digital literacy and citizenship. Promoting teamwork was another key aspect of the training. Participants were encouraged to collaborate, exchange useful tips and practices, and support one another to build a strong group dynamic and foster growth as responsible digital citizens.
Outcomes:
The training effectively met its objectives by equipping youth workers with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape and deepen their understanding of digital literacy, digital citizenship, online etiquette, and the impact of their digital footprint. Key results included:
An Online Resource Center providing comprehensive information on the project's core topics, accessible to the wider public – Link: https://sites.google.com/view/digiact/home
A Toolkit compiling all activities carried out during the training, including those created and developed by participants in the final phase of the course.
I worked as a full-time trainer and coordinator as part of the Loud & Clear Team, the organizing body of the project. The training sessions focused on key topics such as Human Rights Education, Cyberbullying, Digital Etiquette (Netiquette), Online Hate Speech, Freedom of Expression, and Forum Theatre.
My core responsibilities included:
- Contributing to the design of the training program and developing structured, engaging learning sessions
- Delivering both theoretical insights and practical tools to help participants navigate the digital world as active, responsible citizens
- Leading interactive workshops, group activities, and guided discussions
- Facilitating dialogue around digital citizenship, supporting participants in integrating human rights awareness into their local initiatives and educational projects
- Coaching participant teams and offering personalized feedback to strengthen their skills in creating non-formal education activities
- Overseeing the training team and managing the daily schedule, including leading debriefing sessions and adapting the program in response to participants’ needs and feedback