On June 27, 2025, CGE – Culture Goes Europe hosted the national pilot workshop of the EU4YOUTH2ACT project in Erfurt, Germany. This event marked an important milestone in the project’s implementation, offering youth workers and educators the opportunity to engage with the project’s tools and approaches through a full day of learning, exchange, and critical reflection.
Bringing together seven professionals active in youth work, non-formal education, and community engagement, the workshop was designed as an interactive and practice-oriented space. Participants, aged 25 to 40, were selected through targeted outreach within CGE’s local and international networks. They represented a range of experience levels but shared a strong commitment to strengthening civic engagement among young people and supporting inclusive democratic practices.
The workshop followed a structured agenda, combining thematic discussions, practical exercises, and the testing of project tools. It began with a session on youth trends in Germany and Europe, using recent data from the Shell Youth Study, the Hertie School of Public Policy, and findings from the EU4YOUTH2ACT petition. Participants appreciated the evidence-based approach, which was complemented by youth-generated media content to bridge policy and lived experiences.
Subsequent sessions introduced the EU4YOUTH2ACT Platform and Mobile App, as well as two conceptual frameworks developed within the project: the Social Innovation Lab and the Social Impulse Hub. These components sparked rich discussions around digital innovation in youth work and the role of structured community initiatives in empowering young people.
The platform was positively received for its clarity and intuitive design. Participants suggested its integration into Erasmus+ training offers and local workshops to increase its relevance. The mobile app, while promising, presented some technical limitations—particularly for iOS users—which were constructively noted in the feedback. Participants recommended future iterations include gamified or interactive features to better suit the needs of youth audiences. The final session was a practical workshop on intercultural communication facilitated by Vladislav Artiukhov. Despite limited time, this session was one of the highlights of the day, allowing participants to explore communication strategies through experiential learning and role play.
The workshop received very positive evaluations, with all participants rating the experience highly. They especially valued the opportunity to engage with peers, explore emerging trends, and reflect on the application of digital tools in their educational practice. A key takeaway was the importance of modular, multi-session formats to allow for more in-depth engagement and practical application.
Moving forward, the feedback collected during the session will inform the refinement of the EU4YOUTH2ACT tools and the design of future learning activities. Participants expressed interest in continued collaboration, particularly through Erasmus+ pathways and the broader dissemination of the platform within youth work ecosystems. The Erfurt pilot confirmed the relevance of the EU4YOUTH2ACT approach and underlined the essential role of youth workers in shaping inclusive, participatory, and future-ready educational environments.
Event photos and follow-up content will be published soon via CGE’s social media channels.
